Counties at odds over £1bn mayoral devolution deal

Two county councils are at odds over a £1bn devolution deal, with one side calling for mayoral elections sooner while the other wants changes before signing anything.

Norfolk County Council's Reform UK leaders have already written to prime minister Andy Burnham, urging the vote to be brought forward a year to 2027.

But their Reform Suffolk counterparts believe more time is needed to prepare, and they are also finalising a fresh deal that aims to ensure more equal funding between the two rival counties.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that some areas have asked to progress devolution sooner and that these requests are under review.

Robin Hunter-Clarke, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, said there was "every chance" the mayoral election could be brought forward.

It follows the government withdrawing plans to scrap county and district councils for unitary authorities, and the subsequent elections.

"We are progressing with devolution and if all goes to plan we should be able to have the combined authority set up early next year," Hunter-Clarke said.

At a Norfolk County Council cabinet meeting this week, there were further calls for devolution to be sped up.

Kabeer Kher, cabinet member for business, said devolution should be "progressed as quickly as possible" so the funding package could be used to improve things like addressing skill gaps in the workforce.

However, Suffolk County Council leader Michael Hadwen remains sceptical about the devolution deal, which would deliver a £1bn investment fund over a 30-year period and create a mayoralty covering both counties.

He said he was "really keen" to ensure Suffolk would not become the "poor neighbour of Norfolk" and that he was close to agreeing a new deal.

Hadwen added: "If we enter into this field, we have to be equal partners in every single way.

"There should be an agreement in terms of funding so that when the mayor brings in a level of investment, no more is spent in Norfolk than it is in Suffolk."

He also wanted to ensure that if a Norfolk mayor is elected, a Suffolk candidate becomes deputy mayor.

Hunter-Clarke said a deal was close to getting "over the line".

On speeding up the timeline for mayoral elections, Hadwen disagreed and said he did not think it would mean funding could be accessed quicker.

He said: "I understand why they want to do that, but I've made it very clear that Suffolk will not be supporting their bid.

"I think the benefit of having a year before the election, we can focus on making sure that the strategic mayoral authority is set up properly."

The mayoral elections were due to take place last year, but they were pushed back till May 2028 so councils could focus on local government reorganisation.

Since then, two candidates have dropped out of the race.

Caroline Topping, the Green Party candidate, has stood down to instead focus on her campaign to be re-elected as East Suffolk Council leader next year.

Meanwhile, Kevin Keable, the Liberal Democrat candidate from Suffolk, has also announced he is leaving the mayorship race.

The remaining candidates from the five main parties are Carli Harper for Labour, Tim Passmore for the Conservatives and David Bick for Reform UK.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.