Suffolk delays crunch devolution decision by a month

Why it matters: The council's cabinet was due to decide this month whether to consent to devolution and the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk and Suffolk. That decision has now been delayed, with the council saying it is so councillors have all the relevant information.

The details: The council said the deferral was prompted by speculation that the Government could change the date of mayoral elections again.

• Suffolk consented to devolution last year, before the Government moved the mayoral elections from 2026 to 2028, forcing the cabinet to reconsider the decision.
• It is now believed the government is considering moving the date to 2027.
• The council says the extra month will let it continue negotiations with Norfolk.

What they're saying: Cllr Michael Hadwen, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: "My only duty is to the people of Suffolk. I am unapologetically Suffolk first in everything I do in my role as leader of the county council.

"We need to ensure that we get this right and that a new authority is set up properly – I am determined that any devolution deal is in the best interests of our county.

"We are hearing strong rumours that ministers are considering changing the date of the mayoral elections once again. I therefore cannot ask my cabinet to make a decision on the future of devolution without that essential piece of information.

"We are deferring our cabinet decision on devolution for a month while the government gets its house in order. This will allow us to continue our negotiations with Norfolk."

For context: A mayoral strategic authority cannot be created without the agreement of both Suffolk and Norfolk county councils, and Suffolk holds a veto over the deal. At stake is a £1.1bn investment fund and greater local control over transport, housing and growth. Cllr Hadwen has in recent weeks said he is "increasingly of the view" that devolution could be in Suffolk's best interests, provided the arrangements deliver "true equity" between the two counties – though he has not ruled out withholding consent.

The bottom line: Suffolk's cabinet will now vote on devolution on 12 November rather than 15 October. The council says it needs certainty over the mayoral election timetable first — though it remains to be seen whether that's the full story, whether Suffolk has quietly already made up its mind on devolution and wants to delay the decision, or whether this is simply more time for Suffolk and Norfolk to finish negotiating.

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