Norfolk and Suffolk devolution and elections delay could lead to stealth cuts, caution critics

A decision to put Norfolk and Suffolk one step closer to securing devolved powers from Whitehall has been criticised by those who stand to lose the most, with one critic claiming the two counties were “sleepwalking into stealth cuts and tax rises”.

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed at the end of last week that both counties will be included in the Government’s fast-track programme to scrap district, borough and county councils and replace them with unitary authorities, headed by a mayor.

Doing so, however, means delaying this year’s local elections – a measure that has proved contentious in some quarters – with a view to electing a new mayor in May 2026 instead.

Green Party co-leader and Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay led the dissenting voices, calling the move “authoritarian”.

“It is hard to think of anything more anti-democratic than cancelling elections ahead of a significant change in local democracy,” he said. “It’s straight out of an authoritarian playbook.

“How can the Government claim an electoral mandate for these major changes if those most impacted see their elections cancelled?

“The Green Party is urging the Government to protect democracy, allow these long-planned elections to take place and get around the table with elected representatives of all parties to discuss how to make devolution work.”

At Breckland Council, leader Sam Chapman-Allen, said he was flabbergasted at the decision.

“I expressed my grave concerns that councils were sleepwalking into enabling irreversible damage to local services, stealth cuts, tax rises, and a fundamentally poor deal for local people.

“Unfortunately, these statements seem to confirm my worst fears. I am now very worried for residents of Breckland who can now expect to move from one of the lowest council tax areas in the country to stomaching massive increases.”

Dan Elmer, leader of South Norfolk Council, painted a more positive picture, saying that he was confident that devolution for Norfolk would offer the greatest opportunity to reshape the county’s future, empowering local people and creating more opportunities for residents and businesses to thrive.

He said: “Devolution will bring significant power and funding to our area, enabling us to deliver major projects, and enhance the services our residents value so highly.

“We are committed to working with all councils to ensure the best possible outcome for the people of south Norfolk, improving the lives of local people and businesses, while making sure that no community is left behind.”

His counterpart Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, echoed these thought but said he was appalled by the decision to postpone May’s county elections.

He added: “People want high-quality, value-for-money services that help our communities thrive – not simply a redrawing of council boundaries.

“Democratic accountability must be protected, with services delivered by those who know their communities best.”

The decision to push ahead with devolution, at the cost of an election, prompted a quartet of district councillors to defect from the Conservative Party and form a new independent group.

In a joint statement, James Caston, Lavinia Hadingham, Anders Linder and John Whitehead said: “We are dismayed that our Conservative county colleagues have so swiftly embraced this change imposed by the Labour Government and agreed to extend their likely term in office from four years to possibly seven years.”

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