Devolution updates

About devolution 

Local Government Minister Jim McMahon updated the Commons about the Government's devolution plans on 5 February 2025.

He said: "The Government sees devolution as a new way of governing, rooted in the principle that people who have a stake in a place should be the ones shaping it. It will be crucial to delivering our commitment to bring growth and opportunity to communities across the country. This is the first step on delivering on our promise to move power out of Westminster and putting power where it belongs - into the hands of local people.

"Every place has something to benefit from devolution, whether it is more regular bus services, more affordable housing, or the simple fact that local people will have a local champion with regional influence. Mayors, regardless of political stripe, have a proven track record of delivering growth."

He confirmed Norfolk and Suffolk had been selected to be one of the priority areas for devolution. Both county councils will vote in September 2025 whether to proceed with the Government's devolution deal.

On 10 July 2025, the Government published the devolution bill, which outlines more details about the role and powers of the combined authority and mayor. You can read a summary of the devolution bill by the Local Government Association.

Latest News

Norfolk announced as priority area

The story so far:

• In December 2022, Norfolk County Council agreed an in-principle devolution deal with the then Government. This would have seen powers and funding transferred from Westminster to Norfolk.
• On 12 September 2024, the newly elected Government halted the Norfolk deal. Ministers advised the council that they did not support the idea of single county deals with an elected council leader.
• Talks were offered on an alternative devolution model and ministers signalled their desire to see a Norfolk and Suffolk mayoral combined authority.
• On 16 December 2024, the Government published its devolution white paper and announced a priority programme for areas interested in devolution and local government reform. The Government wants to replace county and district councils in two-tier areas like Norfolk with unitary authorities, which run all services.
• On 9 January 2025, Norfolk's full council discussed and then the cabinet agreed to submit an application to be part of the priority programme. Read more about the 9 January meeting.
• On 7 April 2025, the County Council's cabinet agreed its response to the Government's consultation on devolution, which was to "strongly agree" to a mayoral combined county authority, covering Norfolk and Suffolk. Read the submission in the 7 April Cabinet Agenda.
• On 8 July 2025, the council published an update report on devolution. The report was due to be considered by the strategic and corporate select committee on 16 July. Read the report in the 16 July Meeting Summary.