WHITEHALL

Gove signs devolution deals for Norfolk and Suffolk

Devolution deals have been struck in Suffolk and Norfolk, giving them more than £1bn, the Government has announced.

Devolution deals have been struck in Suffolk and Norfolk, giving them more than £1bn, the Government has announced.

Under the deals, the counties will be handed direct control over building, regeneration and skills delivery.

Both counties will directly elect the leader of their councils from May 2024. 

Local government secretary Michael Gove said: 'I am delighted to sign two further historic deals for Suffolk and Norfolk that will see communities handed hundreds of millions of pounds to use as they – not Whitehall - see fit.'

Under the proposed deal for Suffolk, the county will receive control of a £480m investment fund over 30 years, as well as a multi-year transport settlement at the next Spending Review.

Norfolk is to receive a £600m investment fund over the same period, with almost £7m to support regeneration of brownfield sites into affordable homes for residents.

However, leader of Breckland DC in Norfolk, Sam Chapman-Allen, who is also chairman of the District Councils' Network, said he was 'unconvinced that the directly elected leader model for these deals is the best way to deliver devolution'.

He said: 'We think combined authorities are a much better and more certain way to integrate district councils and all local partners into delivering on the potential of devolution.'

WHITEHALL

Thurrock threat to sue other councils after financial collapse

By Dan Peters | 07 November 2024

Debt-laden Thurrock Council has threatened to sue other councils as it legally goes after the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) over advice it ...

WHITEHALL

Peering beyond the Budget

By Martin Ford | 05 November 2024

Last week’s Budget was better overall than councils expected, but fears remain about what will emerge from the local government finance settlement. Martin Fo...

WHITEHALL

Devolution, the North and the Budget

By Phillippa Williamson | 05 November 2024

The introduction of new integrated settlements in the Budget is the beginning of the end of the patchwork of devolution deals in the North, say Phillippa Wil...

WHITEHALL

The direction of devolution in the nations

By Tim Edds | 05 November 2024

Devolution in England is a key instrument in the Labour Government’s economic growth agenda, but what does the future hold for the devolved nations? Tim Edds...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman