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West Norfolk Council set to demand rethink over county elections being postponed amid devolution




The fallout from a decision to postpone county council elections continues to have ramifications - and has prompted one authority to demand a rethink.

West Norfolk Council members have voted to hold an extraordinary meeting this month to debate the council's position on the decision to pause elections amid forthcoming devolution.

Under the restructuring plans, district councils will be abolished to make way for one or multiple unitary authorities.

Alistair Beales, the leader of West Norfolk Council
Alistair Beales, the leader of West Norfolk Council

Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council members have voted to postpone this May's council elections, but the move has caused outrage among other political groups.

At a full borough council meeting last week, Cllr Alistair Beales, leader of the Independent coalition-controlled borough council, asked: "Where is the democracy? Where is the will of the people?

"Democracy is often inconvenient but it is always right and must be respected."

He added that if there was a clear time scale for devolution, he would understand scrapping the elections but currently, there is no clear timetable for if and when it will go ahead.

The Government is currently considering whether or not to allow the elections to be postponed.

Cllr Beales had proposed a motion calling for the council to oppose the election deferral.

Members will meet on February 13 to discuss the council's position.

The motion says: “This council is supportive of Norfolk County Council’s ambition to fast-track devolution in Norfolk by joining with Suffolk County Council in making a request to the government to join the Devolution Priority Programme and will engage constructively in any forthcoming programme of devolution and local government reorganisation.

"However, this council strongly opposes postponement of county council elections due in May 2025 as people should not be denied their right to vote, especially as there is unanimous support for devolution from the leaders of all Norfolk and Suffolk local authorities.”



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