Four Norfolk councils threaten legal action over Devolution Deal
Four Norfolk councils are set to launch legal action over the way Norfolk's new Devolution Deal is being handled.
Last updated 25th Jan 2023
A leading councillor says he is doubtful the legal action being mounted by Norfolk councils against County Hall’s £620m devolution deal will be able to halt the policy.
Four Norfolk councils have threatened the action over the way Norfolk County Council has handled the deal, which will see the region getting a directly-elected leader.
They argue the process to introduce the arrangement has been “undemocratic”.
But Alan Waters, the Labour leader of Norwich City Council, has expressed doubts about the legal action.
“I’m very uncertain about any success of any judicial review,” he said.
“We need to be concentrating on getting the benefits for the people of Norwich.”
He said he did not think the deal was perfect but said it could be a “building block to something substantial in the future” and he would be pushing for something more comprehensive with the resources to help the city grow.
The Conservative-controlled South Norfolk, Broadland and Breckland councils and Liberal Democrat North Norfolk sent Tory-controlled County Hall a letter threatening legal action earlier this month.
The authorities want the matter to go to judicial review, so the High Court can decide whether the process has been lawful or not.