Still time to comment on proposed £600m plus county deal

There's still time to have your say on a proposed £600m plus devolution deal, to give Norfolk more powers and funding to create jobs, improve transport and boost skills.

Consultation is open till March 20 on the in-principle county deal, which was signed with the Government in December. It would mean decisions made in Norfolk, for Norfolk, with a county council leader directly elected by the public, instead of one picked by other councillors.

County council leader Councillor Andrew Proctor said:

"In taking this deal forward, we have a real opportunity to unlock significant long-term funding for Norfolk, which will give us greater freedom in how we use devolved money and powers to meet local needs. Devolution will also give Norfolk much more influence with the Government.

"We need to hear your views on how this deal could make a difference to you, your community or your business - whether it's better jobs, improved transport and infrastructure or the housing we need.

"The Government is clear that this is just the start of a journey. Experience from areas which have already agreed deals shows that this should open the door to more funding and more powers."

For further details on the county deal, to take part in the consultation and find out about consultation events this week, visit our Norfolk county deal webpages. You can register for updates at countydeal@norfolk.gov.uk.

Background

If the deal is agreed, it would mean that from May 2024 onwards, Norfolk can:

• Target funding and resources to Norfolk's own priorities, with a new investment fund of £20m per year for 30 years
• Unlock housing and employment sites with an injection of £12.9m capital funding in this Spending Review period and new powers to drive regeneration, housing and development priorities
• Invest in the skills we know we need, with devolution of the adult education budget and input into the new Local Skills Improvement Plans
• Invest in local transport planning and consolidate transport budgets to direct funding to better meet our local needs and priorities
• Strengthen the local business voice to inform local decision making and strategic economic planning through the future integration of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership
• Have a council leader who is directly elected by the public, with the first election in May 2024
• Raise our influence regionally and nationally, enabling our voice to be better heard by Government to shape future policies and funding decisions for the benefit of our County