A blog post By Saffron Carter, Engagement and Advocacy Lead for REACH
You may have heard the word devolution thrown about recently, with the Government accelerating plans to move power from Westminster to communities across the country, to increase efficiency and put more money into local areas.
So what exactly is, devolution?
Well, put simply, it is the term given to the transfer of power to a ‘lower level’, meaning local areas will have more authority to make decisions which affect their communities and residents.
Suffolk and Norfolk: A Combined Authority
There were suggestions during the last Government, that powers could be devolved to Suffolk and Norfolk, and would become a combined authority. Earlier this year both county councils wrote to the Government to ask to be one of the first areas considered for the Devolution Priority Programme. Five other areas did the same including; The Greater Essex Authorities.
On the 17th of February the Government released a public consultation; detailing what Devolution may look like across Norfolk and Suffolk, in addition to providing an opportunity to hear from and consider the voices of residents and people who may work across the two counties.
The proposal is to bring together the two counties and create a Mayoral Combined Authority, which is made up of the counties across the regions and will be represented by one figurehead: think of the Greater Manchester or Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authorities. They bring together representatives and expertise to set a strategy and make decisions over the new, larger constituent areas, they have convening powers to bring together local authorities across the region to better co-ordinate services, thus being more economical and efficient.
The Positives!
On the surface devolution seems to be a very positive move for politics across Norfolk and Suffolk. In Combined authorities, power is rooted in this collaboration and partnerships across a large area, by embedding and formalising it. It should mean a wide variety of representation, knowledge and insight can be considered in the decision-making process. In some areas, Mayors have even committed to regional task forces which formalise such collaboration, between private, public and charitable sectors.
In theory, this would make it easier for REACH to impact and influence decisions which affect our clients and residents in Haverhill
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It could remove some of the bureaucracy which impedes decision-making, by decisions being taken by one single Combined Authority.
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In addition, it would be more beneficial to local residents, because decisions are made closer to communities who would be affected by them by people who live, work, and have more expertise in the areas
But… A Farewell to District Councils?
However, according to a report, release by Suffolk News on Tuesday 25th February (https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/ipswich/news/leaders-reveal-devolution-plans-for-single-suffolk-authority-9405859/) , Devolution would be fewer local councils, meaning we could no longer see district councils across the county.
Making sure smaller voices in and around Haverhill are still heard
All this begs the question; although increased decision-making powers will be bought closer to local communities, how do we ensure that the voices of local residents from the entirety of Suffolk (especially Haverhill) are heard and considered effectively and properly during the decision making process?
Overall, Devolution could have a large impact on our town of Haverhill and the residents who live here – so there is one overriding action that every one of us can do:
It is vital everyone takes the opportunity to have their voice heard!
What you can do:
The consultation will last until 13 April 2025 at 23:59.