Fire Suppression System for Caister Waste Transfer Station

Norfolk County Council has let a contract via direct award for the provision of Fire Prevention Services for Caister Waste Transfer Station including a fully monitored fire suppression system. The installation completion date for phase 1 is as soon as possible but by no later than 30 January 2027. Warranty, maintenance, servicing and repair of phase 1 will commence the date of handover of Phase 1 and extend to include phase 2 on handover of phase 2. The required commencement date of phase 2 will be agreed with the provider therefore the contract end date could be subject to change On completion of phase 2 the contract monitoring, warranty maintenance, servicing and repair will be novated to NEWS who are the site operator. On 19 November 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness made a written statement [UIN HCWS1071] saying that three proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk had been received - these could entail the creation of one, two or three unitary councils. The Minister announced a consultation exercise, which ended on 11 January 2026. The Minister stated that "once the consultations have concluded, the Government will assess the proposals against the criteria in the invitation and decide, subject to parliamentary approval, which, if any, proposals are to be implemented, with or without modification". The Government has confirmed that it is minded to create three unitary Councils, subject to parliamentary approval. On 4 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Local Government made a written statement [UIN HCWS1128] stating that the government intends to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk as soon as possible, and that it is minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections in May 2028. Should these processes lead to unitary local government in Norfolk and/or to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk (i) the contract may be transferred, assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to the council, or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor and/or to any Mayoral Strategic Authority; and/or (ii) the council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.