Minister makes Norfolk and Suffolk devolution hint

A government minister has given the strongest hint yet that Norfolk and Suffolk could soon see a major shake up in the way local services are provided.

The two county councils have written to the government expressing an interest in devolution which would see county, district, borough and city councils merged into several single unitary authorities overseen by a directly elected mayor.

In Parliament, the Local Government Minister Jim McMahon praised politicians in the two counties for working together on the plans.

But there was opposition from some MPs angry that this year's local elections would be cancelled if the plans went ahead.

McMahon came to Parliament to reveal that 18 authorities including Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex had expressed an interest in devolution.

He said that not every request would go into the priority programme but he was very complimentary about the joint application from Norfolk and Suffolk.

Reminding MPs that he had rejected an earlier proposal from the two authorities, he praised local politicians, saying: "The commitment to try to find a way through from the leaders in that area is appreciated, it is valued and we will honour that in return."

The government wants to abolish two-tier councils and replace them with single unitary authorities which it hopes will provide better services for local people and save money.

It would be the biggest shake up of local government in half a century.

There would be more money from Whitehall and extra powers, perhaps, over things like transport and education.

McMahon wants local people to work out the boundaries of the new councils but the BBC understands he has indicated to local politicians that he would like to see four or five unitary authorities covering Norfolk and Suffolk, overseen by one directly elected mayor.

He has said that if local people cannot agree he would draw up the boundaries himself.

There was anger in Parliament that councils going for devolution would be allowed to cancel this year's local elections.

The councils say they are expensive and hard to justify if the authority is about to be abolished.

Steff Aquarone, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, felt they should go ahead.

"There is a strong case for devolution in Norfolk (but) holding elections in May does not prevent devolution," he said.

"Voters should be allowed to have their say on who is taking forward our devolution negotiations."

While Rupert Lowe, the Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, used the American Revolution-era slogan "no taxation without representation".

"Why should (residents) continue to pay council tax beyond May when they will not be represented by elected people?" he asked.

The minister said councillors would have been voted in at past elections and there was a precedent to extend their term when reorganisation was taking place.

James Wild, the Conservative MP for North West Norfolk, expressed a fear that the public would not be consulted on the plans.

One of his colleagues, the Essex MP Mark Francois, called for a referendum.

But Labour MPs were pleased.

Alice Macdonald, the MP for Norwich North, said change was "long overdue and will bring many benefits".

That is what the government believes and it intends to push ahead.

The minister will announce which councils will be part of the new devolution programme at the end of the month.