Council leader and minister set to discuss possible future Suffolk devolution deal

Following the government’s decision to abandon a proposed deal that would have brought £500 million to Suffolk over 30 years, the council has written to Jim McMahon MP, minister for local government and English devolution and will meet with him to discuss the government’s proposal for devolution in Suffolk.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said:

“As a council that is ambitious to its core, we are determined to create for our residents and businesses the best possible opportunities to succeed. Since the cancellation of our previous devolution deal by the new government, we have remained willing to engage with them on future local government reform. However, I am clear in my view that any new devolution deal should streamline local government, make it more efficient and not create additional lines on Council Tax bills.

“Local government finances are under extreme pressure locally and nationally. Only proper reform will enable us to fund the improvements needed, and address the demand pressures, felt across the organisation, particularly in areas such as Special Educational Needs, Home to School Transport, and adult care. Whilst more powers delivered locally could bring added benefits to Suffolk’s residents and business, the devil is always in the detail and we go into this meeting waiting to hear more.”The government is actively seeking more devolution opportunities. It was announced in the King’s Speech that the Government plans to introduce an English Devolution Bill with legislation to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities representing large geographical areas.

Writing to the minister ahead of the meeting, Councillor Matthew Hicks said:

“Accelerating economic growth is one of Suffolk County Council’s political priorities, so I can confirm that Suffolk County Council will work with the Government to explore and understand what benefit your devolution proposals might bring to Suffolk. We will continue to work together to explore all governance models. This could, if acceptable to local residents and elected representatives in the county, allow for deeper and wider devolution, recognising the new Government’s preference for a larger geography.

“We feel strongly that the decision by the Government to withdraw Suffolk’s Level 3 deal was the wrong one for our county, but it was your decision to make and we see no benefit in dwelling on the past. We therefore confirm our desire to consider alternative devolution proposals, albeit in the context of several concerns about the current proposals.”

The council’s concerns include the need to consider proper local Government reform to deliver true economies of scale and savings to the taxpayer, the opportunity to right many historic and unjust wrongs in terms of local government funding and the additional financial burden of creating cross-board combined authorities.