Councillors back plans to devolve Norfolk and Suffolk
It would mean the local elections in May are postponed and there could be a Norfolk and Suffolk mayor, if given the go ahead by Government.
Last updated 9th Jan 2025
Norfolk
Local elections in Norfolk scheduled for May could be postponed, after decision-makers at County Hall backed a bid to secure new powers and funding from Westminster
Norfolk County councillors voted in favour of applying to the Government’s 'priority programme for devolution'- which would see local authorities restructured, if given the green light.
The shake-up could see the creation of a joint elected mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk.
They would have a greater say over housing, transport, and local policies.
County councillors met today (9th January) to discuss joining the Government’s devolution priority programme meant to speed up the council shake-up process.
In December, the Government announced its plans to scrap district and borough councils and replace them with unitary authorities.
It invited councils to express an interest in being part of the first phase, by January 10th.
Ministers want to see a devolution deal covering Norfolk and Suffolk, with an elected mayor.
They also want “two tier” areas like Norfolk- where responsibility for key services is split between county and district councils- to replace existing councils with unitary authorities.
County council leader, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, said that, while the Government was pushing councils to take a decision with “indecent haste” and to apply to postpone elections, the alternative was to be at the back of the queue for powers and funding.
She said: “This morning, as a full council, we debated devolution and joining the Government’s devolution priority programme.
“Following that meeting, my cabinet met and agreed I should write to formally express Norfolk County Council's interest in being part of the Devolution Priority Programme.”
She went on to say that Norfolk is well-placed to develop devolution plans with Suffolk, due to its work on the previous Government’s county deal plan and its close working relationship with Suffolk County Council.
“Ministers have said they will write to all Norfolk councils later this month, to set out their plans for local government reform.
"I am keen to engage with our district councils and MPs to consider what the future shape of local government in Norfolk should look like, so we can continue to deliver efficient, value for money, and accountable services to our residents.”
If ministers agree to Norfolk joining the priority programme, proposals would be developed for a mayoral combined authority, covering Norfolk and Suffolk.
Elections for a Norfolk and Suffolk mayor could then take place in May 2026.
Suffolk
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Suffolk, a group of councillors gathered outside the council offices to protest the plans.
Before the discussion could take place in Ipswich, several opposition county councillors, alongside some district representatives, gathered outside the council’s offices at Endeavour House, to protest against postponing the elections.
Regardless, Councillors voted to also postpone this year’s elections to join the Government’s devolution fast-track programme.
Cllr Matthew Hicks, the council’s leader, said voting against the proposals would mean the same as ‘seeing Suffolk being left behind’.
He added: “Change is long overdue, the structure that made sense 50 years ago does not make so much sense today- it’s about putting our county on the best possible footing for the next 50 years.
“This debate is absolutely about seizing the opportunity to transform Suffolk and deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities.”
Cllr Andrew Stringer, the leader of the opposition GLI group, said: “There is so much at stake, not just the future trajectory of how we govern ourselves here, but the way we go about it.
“Why are these people so frightened of democracy, it should be something to embrace.”
Addressing concerns, county-leader Cllr Matthew Hicks, said yesterday: “Any decision to delay elections rests solely with the government.
"Ministers will make the decisions based on requests to join the devolution priority programme.
“They have written the rules and we have to follow them if we want to make the most of the devolution opportunities on the table.”