The new devolved powers and £480m funding for Suffolk have been welcomed as a ‘wonderful opportunity’ by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communication with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said his body, which represents the county’s businesses, had been involved in the devolution negotiations ‘from the outset’ and had always wanted more purposeful decision-making and access to funding.
Devolution will enable Suffolk to make more of its own decisions but will it really make a difference?
Mr Simon thinks so.
He pledged to secure the ‘maximum influence for business’ in the new arrangements and said: “Suffolk Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Suffolk devolution deal. This is the result of effective engagement with Government through a coordinated, single countywide approach.
“The Suffolk system clearly works: well done to all involved, especially Councillor Matthew Hicks (leader of Suffolk County Council).
“We back what we hope is an initial deal with more to follow because of its potential to more effectively secure investment in much-needed infrastructure improvements, boost sustainable economic growth through developing the skills pipeline that businesses actually need and promote local democratic accountability that gives the business community and Suffolk Chamber a clearer line of political sight.”
Mr Simon added: “We will now be stepping up our engagement with this to secure the maximum effective influence for business is embedded through the new arrangements.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to place businesses at the very centre of the new devolved projects and new approaches.”
Lee Rowley, Under-Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety, visited the county on Thursday to sign the ‘landmark’ devolution deal with Mr Hicks at the home of agricultural firm CLAAS at Saxham Business Park near Bury St Edmunds.
Following the signing, Mr Hicks said: “I think this is a huge opportunity for Suffolk by giving the county much more power to make decisions about what is best for Suffolk.”
As well as the £480m funding, the devolution deal also provides £5.8m to regenerate brownfield land for housing and control of the Adult Education budget to shape provision to the needs of residents and the local economy.
A further £3m is being provided to fund more energy efficient homes, while there will also be support for improved transport infrastructure.
However, the county council’s Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent groups said they were ‘underwhelmed’ by the deal and described the funding and powers being offered by the Government as ‘token’.
"There are very vague promises of more, but we and the public need firmer promises before we can judge whether it is worth the disruption of creating a whole new political office. I am utterly underwhelmed with the result negotiated so far by the Conservatives," said Green Party councillor for Upper Gipping Andrew Stringer.
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