Chamber boss says proposed deal 'step in right direction'

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, which represents the business community, said the chamber was 'very much in favour' of the proposals, which could bring 'many advantages'.

The views of Suffolk residents are now being sought on the deal and a 10-week consultation has been launched at www.suffolk.gov.uk/devolution  

READ MORE: 'Landmark' devolution deal signed to give Suffolk new powers

Lee Rowley signs the devolution deal in December 2022 (Image: Charlotte Bond)Lee Rowley, the then under-secretary of state for local government and building safety, visited agricultural firm CLAAS at Saxham Business Park in Suffolk in December 2022 to sign a devolution deal to hand the county greater control over spending.

Now the county council has announced that as well as having control of a £480 million investment fund, the leader could be directly elected by residents - along with other county councillors - when elections take place every four years.

READ MORE: Suffolk devolution deal: Opportunity or token effort?

The council will also be given control of the Adult Education Budget, as well as one-off £5.8m funding to prepare brownfield sites for development and multi-year transport funding.

There will also be an additional £500,000 over two years to finalise the Suffolk Transport Plan.

Mr Dugmore said: "The advantages could be many and include a greater speed of decision-making and a better understanding of local business needs.

“That is why we are supportive of the current devolution proposals which are a good first step in the right direction.

READ MORE: Suffolk leaders praise 'exciting' £500m devolution deal

"We have been grateful to the leader of Suffolk County Council Matthew Hicks and his team for keeping us informed as to how the county council’s thinking has evolved over the months and we would urge the business community to ensure that its voice is heard during the consultation period.

“Suffolk Chamber will continue to lobby both the current government and any future directly-elected leader of the county council to accelerate the devolutionary process, such that key issues – not least the woeful sub regional roads network out of the Port of Felixstowe and around Ipswich – can be sustainably solved through better partnerships between local bodies and communities, including businesses.”

Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council (Image: Newsquest)Mr Hicks also welcomed the proposal.

READ MORE: Suffolk news

He said: "This is an important and empowering decision about the future we want for Suffolk.

"A decision of this significance deserves considered input from the broadest range of people possible, which is why the consultation is open for 10 weeks.

"I urge everyone to take time to read the details of the deal and then complete to have their say in this consultation.” 

Andrew Stringer, leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independents group at Suffolk County Council (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)However, Andrew Stringer, leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independents group at the county council, said: "Let’s be honest this is not a big deal, but it is a deal that offers a small amount of devolution.

“The proposed deal will need Suffolk County Council to amend its own governance model, if we are to make sure this delivers the democratic wishes of the people of Suffolk.”