A fresh round of devolution talks between Norfolk County Council and the Government was launched this week following a decision to halt an earlier £600m deal.
The county council said the meeting between the leader, Cllr Kay Mason Billig, and Local Government Minister Jim McMahon was aimed at finding ‘a new way forward’.
Cllr Mason Billig said there was a ‘general accord’ between herself and the minister that they should look for ways to deliver devolution for Norfolk.
Mr McMahon confirmed the Government would not allow the previously negotiated level three deal to go ahead and ‘expressed a preference’ for a more regional approach in East Anglia.
Cllr Mason Billig said in a statement on the council website that there was still the potential for a level two deal for Norfolk, which would give the county control over adult skills funding.
‘Norfolk County Council agreed at its last full council meeting to talk to the Government to ensure as many positive aspects of our previous ambitious deal could be recovered, and that Norfolk did not move to the back of the queue,’ Cllr Mason Billig concluded.
‘With that in mind, we will continue to pursue devolution options which are in the best interests of our county and will be having ongoing discussions with the Minister about what the next steps could be.’
