Understanding Devolution in Norfolk

The 'East Anglia' Devolution Agreement was published by the treasury in March 2016 and signed by 22 of the 23 council leaders in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It outlines how the new combined authority will work and the powers of the new directly elected mayor.

It can be viewed by clicking here 

In the press people will have read that there is still a lot of discussion and uncertainty with regard to how devolution will work and the relationships between the different areas.

The assumed roadmap is that:

• Consultation and discussions will take place up to the end of June
• Final plans will be agreed by local authorities to allow a formal period of consultation from July
• Following this any secondary legislation would be agreed and a formal announcement following the consultation and any changes as a result would take place probably as part of the Autumn statement (nov)
• There will be with the intention a new major and arrangement are in place in May 2017

NAVCA and Locality have published Devolution for People and Communities, a paper outlining a set of key principles which should underpin devolution form a VCSE perspective.

Key principles of devolution:

1. Creating a social economy.

2. Representation of the voluntary and community sector within new leadership structures.

3. Ensuring accountability through effective community engagement.

4. Decisions taken at the most local level appropriate.

5. Working with local organisations to transform public services.

You can read the full paper here

Background

Devolution is an opportunity for Norfolk, Cambridgshire and Suffolk to have more control over its funding and local decision making, including areas such as:

All Norfolk and Suffolk Councils and the New Anglia LEP are involved in the Government discussions concerning devolution.  CAN are currently exploring with partners locally the best way to ensure Norfolk’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is informed and engaged with the devolution process.  

• Transport
• Housing development
• Infrastructure
• Economic development