15/12/25: Breckland Councillors set out their priorities for devolution

Breckland Council members have set out how long-term investment, better strategic planning and stronger local accountability for residents and businesses are their priorities for the upcoming devolution process.

It comes after the Government recently announced that election of a new Mayor for Norfolk & Suffolk is likely to be delayed until 2028. Despite this, Devolution will still be implemented across Norfolk & Suffolk over the coming years, likely via a Combined County Authority (CCA). 

Commenting on the discussion, Cllr Bill Borrett, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Devolution, said: "Devolution presents us with a challenge to shift funding and power from national bodies to local decision-makers with a better focus on local priorities. If the Government listens and grants Norfolk greater control over strategic decisions, we can better deliver the outcomes local people expect - whether that's jobs, homes, infrastructure or quality public services." 

There are currently a variety of devolution arrangements in place across England, with differences between geographies, governance arrangements and powers, however they tend to include economic growth, infrastructure, housing delivery, skills and transport. 

An Investment Fund will form part of local Devolution, and at their meeting today (15 December), Breckland's Cabinet voted to develop a new  prospectus of key schemes which it believes should receive a share of that funding to realise benefits both to the district and the county as a whole. 

Breckland councillors backed the principle of devolution, while emphasising that to be successful it should actually devolve powers not just delegate schemes, and use long-term funding to support jobs, skills development and business opportunities that directly benefit Breckland's towns, villages and rural economy. 

With devolved control over transport and planning, Breckland's members said they want to see accelerated investment in local roads, sustainable transport options and new infrastructure that supports housing and employment growth tailored to local needs.  

Any new structures must enhance democratic accountability, ensuring that the voices of Breckland residents can influence decisions made at combined authority level.