Norfolk devolution deal public consultation scrap call

A six-week consultation over the county deal, which would see Norfolk County Council get an investment fund of £20m a year for 30 years and a directly-elected leader, started this week.

But critics have said the public consultation process, at www.norfolk.gov.uk/norfolkcountydeal, is "one-sided".

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council (Image: Archant)

Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group, has demanded a special council meeting so a motion can be tabled to discuss abandoning the consultation, redrafting it and starting again.

He said: "Calling a special council to ask for the consultation to be redone properly is the only way we can give councillors a voice and flag up to residents of Norfolk what’s being done in their names and behind their backs.

"No major changes should be contemplated without transparent and full disclosure.

"The deal on offer is poor. Trying to disguise that with selective information and closing down the chance to reach informed conclusions cannot cover up the inherent weakness in the deal."

Norfolk County Council leader Andrew Proctor (Image: Norfolk County Council)

County council leader Andrew Proctor, who signed the in-principle agreement for the deal, said it would enable Norfolk to deliver more jobs, better housing, improved transport and better skills, while opening the door to further deals.

But it has caused controversy, with four district councils making a legal threat about the way negotiations were conducted.

MPs, including Liz Truss and Richard Bacon, also raised concerns, which prompted a meeting of MPs with council leaders on Thursday.

Broadland MP Jerome Mayhew (Image: Jerome Mayhew)

Broadland MP Jerome Mayhew said the meeting was "really positive". He said: "Norfolk County Council has negotiated a good deal and the meeting was about how we collaborate to build on that and get the best for Norfolk."