Suffolk police commissioner warns devolution uncertainty is putting major investment plans in doubt
It follows Suffolk County Council postponed a decision on whether to reaffirm its support for a mayoral authority covering Norfolk and Suffolk.
Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner has warned that uncertainty over the future of devolution and police restructuring is making it harder to plan major investments, including a new police control room costing up to £9 million.
Tim Passmore says repeated changes and unanswered questions about future governance are creating uncertainty for public services, after Suffolk County Council postponed a decision on whether to reaffirm its support for a mayoral authority covering Norfolk and Suffolk.
The council had been due to consider the issue at a Cabinet meeting on 15 October, but has deferred the decision until 12 November following speculation that the Government could bring forward the date of mayoral elections.
Mr Passmore, who has declared his intention to stand as a mayoral candidate, said public bodies needed clarity about the Government's plans to make informed decisions about future spending and services.
Speaking to us, he described the uncertainty as "damaging and corrosive".
"We need some certainty. Are the mayoral elections going ahead and when will they be?" he said.
"Our current thinking, or the latest from the government, is that they will go ahead in May 28. Can we just please have an answer confirming that is the case?"
He added that uncertainty over the future structure of policing was making it difficult to focus on the service's central responsibilities.
"This is no good for policing or anybody else because the confusion and uncertainty makes it very, very challenging for us to keep focused on a really, really important public service and that is keeping people safe and preventing crime."
Questions over £9 million police control room investment
Mr Passmore said uncertainty over possible police force mergers was affecting long-term planning for Suffolk Constabulary.
He raised concerns about the implications for an ongoing review of police buildings and facilities, as well as plans for a new control room.
"We're investing in a new control room because of the latest HMICFRS report. We're spending a lot of money on that, eight, nine million pounds. What's the future of that?" he said.
He also questioned what wider restructuring could mean for existing collaboration between public services.
The commissioner said changes could have implications for work involving Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, alongside other local services.
He said: "There is so much uncertainty that is actually quite damaging and corrosive without a clear sense of direction and purpose from the government, which at the moment is completely lacking."
Mr Passmore did not say that the control room investment had been cancelled or formally suspended. His concern is that uncertainty about future governance makes it harder to plan for major projects.
Council postpones devolution decision
Suffolk County Council had been expected to decide whether to reaffirm its support for establishing a Mayoral Strategic Authority with Norfolk.
The council previously agreed to support devolution, but says it must reconsider its position after the Government moved the proposed mayoral elections from 2026 to 2028.
It has now delayed that decision by four weeks, citing rumours that ministers may be considering another change to the election timetable.
Council leader Michael Hadwen said the authority needed the relevant information before making such an important decision.
"My only duty is to the people of Suffolk. I am unapologetically Suffolk first in everything I do in my role as leader of the county council," he said.
"We need to ensure that we get this right and that a new authority is set up properly – I am determined that any devolution deal is in the best interests of our county."
He added: "We are hearing strong rumours that ministers are considering changing the date of the mayoral elections once again. I therefore cannot ask my cabinet to make a decision on the future of devolution without that essential piece of information."
Mr Hadwen said the delay would allow negotiations with Norfolk to continue while the council awaited further clarity from the Government.
No new mayoral election date has been confirmed in the information provided by the council.
Commissioner opposes prospect of six-force merger
Mr Passmore also raised concerns about the possibility of Suffolk Constabulary being merged with five other police forces as part of wider restructuring.
He strongly criticised the prospect, questioning whether such a move would deliver savings or improve policing.
"I think the idea of Suffolk being merged with five others is completely mad. I think it's the most ridiculous proposal I've ever heard," he said.
"It won't save money. There is no guarantee it will improve performance, which is essential, otherwise no point in having changes."
His comments reflect his opposition to a potential restructuring model, rather than confirmation that a six-force merger has been approved.
Mr Passmore argued that a regional police force covering a much larger area could also create difficulties for the governance of a Norfolk and Suffolk mayoral authority.
He questioned how a mayor could exercise meaningful influence over policing if the boundaries of the police force extended significantly beyond the two counties.
The commissioner said even a merger between Suffolk and Norfolk alone would raise complex financial questions.
He highlighted differences between the forces' finances and council tax arrangements, expressing concern that harmonising police precepts could lead to higher bills for some residents.
However, no specific council tax increase has been confirmed.
'We can't plan in a fog of uncertainty'
Mr Passmore said he had spoken to Suffolk County Council leader Michael Hadwen following his appointment and continued to see him at meetings.
He said he understood why the council had postponed its decision on devolution.
"We've had so many U-turns, as I said earlier, we need some certainty and clarity," he said.
"Whether one agrees with the direction of travel, I think is what people say, where we're going is beside the point. We can't plan in a fog of uncertainty."
He also warned that prolonged uncertainty could affect staff morale and decisions about financial reserves and future investment.
Mr Passmore said he hoped Suffolk would not fall behind other areas but argued that public services needed a clearer understanding of their future structure.
Calls for collaboration instead of restructuring
Rather than pursuing large-scale mergers, Mr Passmore said he would prefer police forces to strengthen existing collaboration.
He suggested greater joint working on technology, including facial recognition, drones, shared computer systems and common vetting standards.
He also criticised delays to the national Emergency Services Network programme, arguing that improving existing systems should be a priority.
"If there's supposed to be efficiencies and saving money, well I would like the Home Office to explain exactly how they're going to do that," he said.
Mr Passmore warned that major restructuring could prove expensive and disruptive.
He said: "Restructuring, and all of that will be a huge distraction, and I could almost guarantee it will be costly, demoralising, and take years to settle down."
What happens next?
Suffolk County Council is now due to consider whether to reaffirm its support for devolution on 12 November 2026.
The council says the postponement will allow more time for discussions with Norfolk and for ministers to clarify the proposed timetable for mayoral elections.
Mr Passmore has called on the Government to provide certainty over both devolution and the future structure of policing.
"Can we just please have some clarity and certainty of where we're going?" he said.
"That's not a political point, that's a common sense point."
The Government has not confirmed a revised mayoral election date in the material provided for this report.
Greatest Hits Radio Suffolk has sought clarification from the Government on the future timetable for mayoral elections and the implications of any proposed policing reforms.
We've contacted the ministry of housing for comment.