Last week marked the start of arguably one of the biggest decisions Suffolk County Council will take in its 50-year history.
It’s all come about because the new government, through its English Devolution White Paper, has set out its desire to devolve powers and funding to local leaders and Mayors across the country - coupled with a widespread programme of local government reorganisation that will change the structure of councils as we know it. This is why we held an extraordinary full council meeting so that every councillor had the opportunity to have their say, and vote, on this important subject.
I believe strongly that local government reorganisation presents immense potential for the future of Suffolk, as do colleagues at Suffolk’s borough and district councils who have all signed a letter supporting the principal of devolution.
As a county, we are full of talent and ambition. Suffolk has always been visionary, innovative and focused on improving the lives of our communities and boosting economic growth.
So it is really no surprise that the government has encouraged Suffolk County Council to express interest in joining its devolution fast track programme. I have met ministers on several occasions in the past few months, and each time it has been clear that they see Suffolk as a strong, credible and ambitious place with which they can work.
I know that, for some, devolution and reorganisation is a threat – perhaps personal or political. But this opportunity is bigger than our own concerns. Councillors and political parties need to think beyond themselves and about what is best for the people and businesses of Suffolk to whom they have a duty to make the difficult decisions – even if that decision means the end of the council or councils on which they sit. Let me be clear, this isn’t a county council takeover – all local councils, county and district, would be abolished and a new unitary council or councils would be created in their stead.
Changes of this scale create an opportunity to streamline local government, empower joined-up decision-making, save taxpayers money and ensure councils are resistant to economic challenges.
These are not ‘nice to haves’ or ‘aspirations’. They are fundamental pillars of a system delivering the best possible public services, with clarity, accountability and in a financially sustainable way.
The new devolution framework, outlined in the white paper, offers more areas access to the kind of opportunities from which Teeside, the West Midlands and Manchester have benefited.
In the full and frank debate last week, many councillors focused on the confusing local government structure we have at present – with one council collecting waste and another disposing of it or one council being responsible for sweeping roads but another maintaining them. But, understandably, some of the discussion focused on the potential for Suffolk County Council’s election in May 2025 to be postponed to successfully deliver this ambitious programme. There have been a lot of inaccurate claims made, so I want to address some.
To be absolutely clear – this is the government’s policy and timetable and only the government can decide on elections. It is very clear that this is part of the package and if an area wants to join the programme and develop a business case by the government’s deadline, then the government sees a delay as necessary. This is not without precedent, having happened previously in Somerset, Cumbria and North Yorkshire when similar proposals moved forward. Last week, many councils across the country did exactly what Suffolk has done. We are not alone.
I want Suffolk to be at the front of the queue - setting the agenda on devolution - not following everyone else when identikit solutions are imposed.
This county council, and our districts and boroughs, have served Suffolk well since our local government structure was last reviewed over 50 years ago. But change is long overdue.
The structure that made sense once - no longer does now. To give just one example, it makes no sense that in Suffolk, some people have their bins collected every two weeks and others every three - just because the district council where you live has decided so. There are so many public services, like that, that can be streamlined by a simpler model of local government.
This is about seizing the opportunity to transform Suffolk and deliver the best outcomes for our communities. Politics must be put aside so we can do what is right for our county.
