A Devolution Deal for Norfolk
Background to Norfolk's former devolution deal - agreed in December 2022 and halted in September 2024
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.
The deal included £600 million-plus of investment over 30 years and would see the introduction of a council leader, elected by the public.
Public consultation showed that 64 per cent of respondents supported the idea of transferring funding, so that decisions could be made in Norfolk, for Norfolk.
Since then, the council worked with partners to finalise the deal and was set to implement it, following elections for a leader in May 2025. There was support from the business and education sectors and from politicians across different parties and authorities. A pipeline of "shovel ready" development schemes was prepared, ready for final approval from the Government.
However, 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.
We would like to thank everyone who supported the previous deal. We will update you if an alternative deal is developed in future.
Statement released 12 September 2024
More than £600m of investment to create jobs, homes and infrastructure has been scrapped, after the Government halted Norfolk's devolution deal.
Norfolk County Council had secured an in-principle devolution deal in December 2023, to bring more powers and funding to the county - including a £20m investment fund for 30 years.
The Government has now informed the council that the current deal has been halted.
County council leader Councillor Kay Mason Billig said: "I am bitterly disappointed that the new Government has halted our deal.
"Ministers don't support the idea of a Norfolk-only deal, or the idea of a county council leader, elected by the public - even though this would not have involved additional bureaucracy.
"For a Government that is keen on economic growth, this is a shortsighted and damaging decision.
"The Government says it supports devolution, yet it has killed off a deal that was ready to go: a deal that was going to improve lives in Norfolk, and grow our economy and start to address decades of historic under investment in our county.
"Norfolk deserves better than this. I intend to press the Government for talks on how we can salvage as many benefits as possible from our current deal - and ensure we don't go to the back of the queue for new powers and funding."
What agreeing a Deal would have meant for Norfolk
What a Devolution Deal would have meant for Norfolk
See more (Go to What agreeing a Deal would have meant for Norfolk)Share this page
