Councillors accept £600 million devolution deal for Norfolk
It will transfer money and political power from Westminster
Last updated 13th Dec 2023
County councillors have voted to accept a £600m devolution agreement with the Government, to transfer significant funding and powers to Norfolk.
The money will start transferring to Norfolk next summer, if councillors vote next July to stage the first election for a leader in May 2025.
County council leader Councillor Kay Mason Billig said:
“This deal brings major benefits for the people of Norfolk. It means significant investment and powers to boost our economy, transport, housing, jobs and skills. And we will have a leader, elected by the public, to represent our views to the Government.
“In the New Year, we will talk to the public, businesses and key stakeholders about the benefits of the deal and how we can work together to make the most of it.”
The full council agreed the following recommendations:
Council:
a) recognises the work carried out during 2023 to consult with the public, inform Members and prepare plans in relation to the ‘in-principle’ County Deal brought to Council in January this year.
b) commends the work undertaken by the Leader and Officers to secure additional benefits for the Norfolk County Deal and resolves that the Deal should be accepted.
c) agrees that the election for the Directly Elected Leader should be held alongside the county council elections in May 2025 to enable the widest possible engagement with the electorate.
d) agrees that the resolution adopting the new governance arrangements should be brought to the Full Council Meeting on 23 July 2024 to facilitate that election date.
The agreement means those in County Hall will be able to make more decisions about things like funding, housing and skills- across the county.
A County Deal would mean having a Council Leader who is directly elected by the public, enabling Norfolk’s voice to be heard by the Government.
You can find out more about the county deal here.