Councillors back new powers and funding to boost jobs and growth

New powers and funding to boost jobs, transport, housing and growth are coming to Norfolk and Suffolk, after councillors voted in favour today (16 October).

Following a discussion at full council this morning, Norfolk County Council's cabinet voted in favour of proceeding with devolution this afternoon.

Under the Government's devolution priority programme, Norfolk and Suffolk have been offered:

• The transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall, to enable decisions on jobs, skills, transport and housing to be taken in Norfolk and Suffolk
• A multi-million pound investment fund for 30 years, to spend on local priorities

Norfolk County Council leader Councillor Kay Mason Billig said: "This is an historic day and one which has been a long time in the making. Our region will get the opportunity to make the decisions on where to invest millions of pounds in our counties, for our residents - and we'll get a place at the UK's top table.

"Devolution and the annual investment fund give us a great opportunity to improve lives in Norfolk and Suffolk, by boosting our economy, jobs, transport and housing.

"It will enable us to focus on local needs - whether it's for the types of training required to attract quality jobs, the sites we need to develop for industry and housing and the transport links we need to get the two counties moving."

Devolution could only proceed with the support of both county councils. Suffolk County Council's cabinet voted in favour on 2 October, followed by Norfolk's cabinet today.

Today's decision means that the new devolved powers and funding would be overseen by a mayor, elected by voters in May 2026, to lead a new combined authority. The combined authority would be made up of the mayor, plus councillors from Norfolk and Suffolk.

The mayor and the combined authority will take responsibility for a range of functions and funding, including:

• Local transport
• Skills and jobs
• Housing development
• Economic growth and regeneration
• Environment and climate change
• From 2027 - taking on police and crime commissioner and fire and rescue authority functions

Devolution benefits include:

• Having a mayor who is directly elected by the public, enabling the voice of Norfolk and Suffolk to be heard by the Government - the mayor would be a member of the Committee of the Nations and Regions
• Targeting funding and resources to local priorities
• Unlocking housing and employment sites
• Investing in the skills we need and attracting and retaining key businesses
• Opening the door to further powers and funding in future

You can find out more about devolution at www.norfolk.gov.uk/devolution.