Norfolk County Council confident devolution will go ahead but agrees to delay decision

Confidence remains high among councillors that more powers and funding will come to Norfolk after they supported devolution talks with the new Government.

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig told today’s full council meeting she is seeking a meeting with Keir Starmer’s Labour Government to ensure support for a £600million-plus devolution deal.

Cllr Mason Billig said devolution would bring “great benefits” to Norfolk and she was encouraged that both the main parties in Parliament support the idea.

She has written to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner about the deal, and a meeting with Local Government Minister Jim McMahon is being arranged for September.

Cllr Mason Billig said: “I’m still getting the same encouragement from the new Labour Government as from the previous one, about devolution”.

However, she did say that the Government was signalling it would be “prudent” to delay a decision on governance until after she had spoken to ministers - and an amended motion was approved today approving that delay.

Cllr Mason Billig added: “Let’s hope that the new Government show their commitment to Norfolk by confirming a devolution deal and honour the offers made, so that we can have a seat at the table with the regional mayors and bring economic development and prosperity to our area.”

If previous plans for devolution in Norfolk remain intact, the process would result in us having a council leader who is directly elected by the public.

It is also proposed to allow authorities to target funding and resources to tackle our own priorities, with a £20million per year investment fund – worth at least £600million over 30 years - while also unlocking housing and employment sites.

At today’s meeting, the leader of the county council opposition, Liberal Democrat leader Brian Watkins, seconded the move to delay a decision, pending discussions with the Government.

Cllr Watkins said most councillors would support some form of devolution and he welcomed the support received from the business, health and higher education sectors across Norfolk.

Councillors backed an amended motion, moved by Cllr Mason Billig and seconded by Cllr Watkins, to delay a decision until after discussions had taken place with the Government.

The amendment recognises the previous decisions taken and agrees that, “given the change in Government on July 5, acknowledges that there will be a delay in discussions with central Government regarding the devolution deal”.

The council has therefore resolved to delay any decision on a change of governance until later in 2024 to ensure that the best deal can be secured for Norfolk.

Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Ms Rayner pledged to kickstart a “new devolution revolution” to transfer more powers “out of Westminster and into the hands of local people”.

In a letter to local leaders, she wrote: “For too long, Westminster government has tightly gripped control and held back opportunities and potential for towns, cities, and villages across the country.

“I want to work with more places to help them use these enhanced powers and role - because I want to drive growth in every part of the country.

“For any area considering it, now is the time to take the plunge and speak to us about how we can work with you to transform your regions.”