To debate the proposed devolution deal for the county to enable the Leader to formulate a response to Suffolk Council Council.
It is RECOMMENDED:
To delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to collate the views of the Council and respond to Suffolk County Council.
Minutes:
102.1 The Chair invited Members to debate the proposed Suffolk Devolution Deal.
102.2 Councillor Regester commented that having an elected Leader ran the risk of concentrating resources in certain areas to the detriment of others, and that a lack of provisions had been set out to prevent duplication of functions between Country and District level authorities.
102.3 Councillor Potter stated that there was a lack of accountability for how power would be dispersed and carried out, and that it was not “clear cut” about the different responsibilities of different levels of government.
102.4 Councillor Ward expressed support for the deal, raised that he had overseen the development of the devolution deal as a member of the SPSL group and that the deal had significant scope and potential, but expressed concerns for the amount of money set out as part of the proposed deal and the lack of guaranteed collaboration between the elected Leader and District / Borough authorities.
102.5 Councillor McCraw stated that many Councillors at both District and County level had reservations about the proposed deal that should be captured, and noted that the diminishing return would prove to make the deal “worthless” over time.
102.6 Councillor Riley raised concerns about adding another level of bureaucracy to the current political system, that the costs of the arrangements should be “slimmed down” as much as possible, and stated that delays to the governance of other authorities across Suffolk should be avoided.
102.7 Councillor Maybury expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of guarantee that extra money could come forward as part of this deal and the decision for the funding to not be indexed linked, stated that there was a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the proposed deal, and raised that Councils similar to Suffolk County had already refused to accept comparable devolution deals.
102.8 Councillor Davis commented that he was not impressed with the proposed devolution deal, that disinterest had been shown to the District Council and their involvement in the deal, and that the public consultation would be key to determining whether or not to go forward with the deal.
102.9 Councillor Holt expressed opposition to the proposed deal, that the investment fund did not provide enough financial support to achieve key deliverables and support the County, and that the lack in rise of funds to combat inflation would detrimentally restrict the impact the deal could have.
102.10 Councillor Beer asked the Monitoring Officer if, as a sitting member of Suffolk County Council, it would be best for him to abstain from the vote. The Monitoring Officer clarified that this vote only related to the letter being sent by the Leader of the Council to Suffolk County, but advised Councillor Beer and other dual hatters to exercise caution when engaging in items concerning the devolution deal.
By a vote of 23 For, 3 Against, and 2 Abstentions
It was RESOLVED:
To delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to collate the views of the Council and respond to Suffolk County Council.