A Devolution Deal for Norfolk

The story so far:

• 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.
• 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 and ministers signalled their desire to see a Norfolk and Suffolk mayoral combined authority.
• On 16 December 2024, the Government published its devolution white paper and announced a priority programme for areas interested in devolution and local government reform. The Government wants to replace county and district councils in two-tier areas like Norfolk with unitary authorities, which run all services.
• On 9th January 2025, Norfolk's full council discussed and then the cabinet agreed to submit an application to be part of the priority programme. Read more about the 9 January meeting.

We will update this page once we hear back from the Government.