The proposed Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution Deal was published on 17 June 2016. Since then, all of the councils in Suffolk, along with Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk,South Norfolk Council and the New Anglia LEP have endorsed the deal. The other councils in Norfolk have decided not to go ahead with a combined authority at this stage.
The deal involves having an Elected Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk and a combined authority – where councils join together to make collective decisions on matters that affect the combined authority area.
Devolution would mean greater control locally over the decisions that impact on all our lives – decisions about Norfolk and Suffolk made in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Specifically, the proposed deal could mean control of more than £1bn of funding to improve Norfolk and Suffolk; enable us to create 95,000 jobs by 2026, deliver around 200,000homes over the lifetime of the dealand provide the skills that employees and businesses want.
As part of the Devolution process, local authorities in Norfolk and Suffolk have undertaken a Governance Review to look in depth at the pros and cons of joining together. They have published proposals for how a new combined authority could work, called a Scheme of Governance. They are now required to consult local people, businesses and organisations as to what they think of the Scheme of Governance.
The consultation responses will be sent to the Secretary of State who looks at these, alongside the Governance Review and the draft Scheme of Governance. They will then decidewhether a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk shouldbe set up.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. As the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal progresses, it is essential that the business community are seen as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk. I would therefore encourage as many businesses as possible to complete the online consultation to ensure that the Norfolk business community has a strong voice.”
The consultation period ends on Tuesday 23 August 2016.
Take part in the online consultation now
If you are a Norfolk business and want to hear more about the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal, you can attend a free breakfast which is being held in Norwich on Thursday 28 July 2016. For more details and to book your free place click here.
