Norwich. Image credit: Shutterstock
The process of establishing devolution deals for both areas was started under the Conservative government.
Norfolk County Council secured an in-principle devolution deal in December 2023, including a proposed £600m over 30 years, while Suffolk Council Council’s (separate) deal was worth £480m, with £5.8m of one-off funding to prepare brownfield sites for development.
Both would have seen a council leader elected, rather than a mayor.
A spokesperson for MHCLG said: “Devolution is central to the government’s mission to economic growth, which is why we’ve set out plans to take power away from Westminster and into the hands of local leaders who know their area best.
“This government strongly believes that mayors should have a unique role, while council leaders must continue to focus on the delivery of the essential services.
“We want to see those two functions kept separate as this benefits the community and its people, which is why we will not be proceeding with the Single Local Authority mayoral deals proposed in Norfolk and Suffolk. We intend to continue discussions with both areas on alternative models for ambitious devolution.”
Norfolk said it had developed a significant pipeline of projects which would have been funded through the devolution deal, alongside district council colleagues and other partners. This included new health facilities in Kings Lynn and Norwich, and funding to unlock commercial and housing sites in areas such as Norwich and South Norfolk.
Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, said she was “bitterly disappointed” the deal has been halted.
“Ministers don’t support the idea of a Norfolk-only deal, or the idea of a county council leader, elected by the public, even though this would not have involved additional bureaucracy.
“For a government that is keen on economic growth, this is a shortsighted and damaging decision.
“The government says it supports devolution, yet it has killed off a deal that was ready to go – a deal that was going to improve lives in Norfolk, and grow our economy and start to address decades of historic under investment in our county.
“Norfolk deserves better than this. I intend to press the government for talks on how we can salvage as many benefits as possible from our current deal, and ensure we don't go to the back of the queue for new powers and funding.”
The leader of Broadland District Council (whose area is in Norfolk), Sue Holland, said it was “not a surprise” that the devolution deal for Norfolk has been halted because it was “clear that it did not fulfil the requirements expressed by the new government”.
“I have been open in my concerns that a closed county deal was neither ambitious enough nor had the right governance structures in place. Equally, the new government has been very clear on the need of a wider geography if Norfolk is to play a full part in the proposed English devolution.
“I welcome the opportunity for us to work closely with the government and our neighbours to deliver a truly ambitious deal for Norfolk which includes all our councils being able to play an equal part as we seek to secure the very best outcomes and opportunities for our residents and businesses.”
According to Suffolk County Council, an independent survey run by Ipsos found 63% of respondents supported or strongly supported the proposed deal.
Council leader Matthew Hicks said: “Governments of any colour should be pro devolution because councils know how best to serve local people. Local councillors have now been stripped of the opportunity to support or reject the proposed deal which is a sad day for democracy by any measure.”
