Norfolk County Council seek meeting with Government over devolution talks
Councillors have supported devolution talks with the new Government to ensure support for Norfolk's £600 million devolution deal.
The current devolution deal would mean:
- Having a council leader who is directly elected by the public, enabling Norfolk's voice to be heard by the Government
- Targeting funding and resources to Norfolk's own priorities, with a £20 million per year investment fund - worth at least £600 million over 30 years
- Unlocking housing and employment sites
- Investing in the skills we need and attracting and retaining key businesses
- Opening the door to more - further powers and funding in future
Read more about what a devolution deal would mean for Norfolk
In December 2022, the council agreed an in-principle £600 million-plus devolution deal with the Government, to bring £20 million of investment per year to Norfolk, plus control of additional powers and funding over infrastructure, skills and housing development.
In December 2023, councillors backed the deal, subject to a final vote to introduce a directly elected leader system from May 2025 - a prerequisite of the devolution agreement with the Government.
The amendment agreed on the 23rd July recognises the previous decisions taken and agrees that, "given the change in Government on 5th July 2024, acknowledges that there will be a delay in discussions with central Government regarding the devolution deal. Council therefore resolves to delay any decision on a change of governance until later in 2024 to ensure that the best deal can be secured for Norfolk."
