County leaders formally agree to a new Norfolk and Suffolk mayor
The step is part of the Government’s programme to deliver devolution at pace
Last updated 3rd Oct 2025
County leaders have formally agreed to a new Norfolk and Suffolk mayor in a bid to ‘turbocharge growth’
Cabinet members at Suffolk County Council unanimously agreed to give the Government formal consent to establish a Norfolk and Suffolk Combined County Authority (NSCAA) with an elected mayor to represent it.
The step is part of the Government’s programme to deliver devolution at pace, controversially agreed to by the council in January alongside a request to postpone local elections, which would have taken place earlier this year.
Cllr Richard Rout, the council’s lead for devolution, said both counties had been a ‘devolution desert’ for a long time, with the new mayor presenting an opportunity to ‘turbocharge’ growth.
“This is a pivotal moment for our county, it is a decision that brings a huge amount of funding … into Suffolk and Norfolk, and I think we are unanimous in our view that our two counties need a stronger voice.”
Once set up, in May next year, the new mayor will be given an initial £37.4 million per year over 30 years, totalling some £1.12 billion.
The money will allow the mayor to exercise new devolved powers over transport, skills, strategic planning and public safety.
More money will be available through the mayor’s Council Tax precept, other devolved Government funding, and outside sources such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Cllr Matthew Hicks, the council’s leader, said the proposal would put the council at the front of the queue.
“It’s a catalyst for real change,” he said, “this will ensure decisions are made in the best interests of our communities, with a clear mandate.”
“Let’s seize this opportunity today, so that Suffolk is at the top of the table, and let’s do it with enthusiasm and determination.”
Before the vote by cabinet members, the plans were put forward to all of Suffolk’s county councillors, with most getting a chance to have their say.
Unlike the debate on how many unitary authorities should replace the current councils, leaders across the county’s different political groups were mostly in agreement.
Cllr Andrew Stringer, leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent Group, said he supported the proposals but called on the council to ask the Government to carry out next year’s election under a different voting system.
As it stands, the mayor is set to be elected under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, whereby the candidate with the highest share of the vote wins.
Cllr Stringer said a different voting system, which addressed the current landscape of five big political parties, would ensure both accountability and legitimacy.
Cllr Sandy Martin, the Labour Group leader, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our government is taking devolution seriously — transport, housing and various other functions need strategic planning if they are going to be effective.”
Cllr Christopher Hudson, whose Reform UK group was recently formed following by-election results and a defection, said he looked forward to championing the new role and indeed winning it next year.
“We want to end the two-tier system, we want clear accountability,” he added.
Though symbolic, councillors supported the plans with 55 votes for and one against.
What’s next?
Though different, the new combined authority will be delivered alongside whichever model the Government chooses for local government reform.
Today’s discussion resulted in the council giving consent to the Government to lay a statutory instrument — effectively allowing the combined authority to be set up under delegated powers by the minister.
The new mayor is set to be elected in May next year, with two candidates currently in the running for the post — Tim Passsmore (Conservative) and Cllr Caroline Topping (Green).
Candidates for Labour, Lib Dems and Reform, as well as any Independents, have not yet been announced.