Norfolk County Council has agreed to proceed with the devolution deal which will see a new mayor-style leader take control of the region.
The Conservative-led authority has agreed to proceed with the 'county deal' - which would see a transfer of power from Whitehall to County Hall.
The ‘level three’ devolution deal includes an investment fund of £20m a year for 30 years, control of the £12m budget for adult education, and £7m for brownfield development.
However, one of the key elements of the scheme - for Norfolk to have its own directly elected leader picked by the people of the county - has been pushed back a year to 2025.
The elections will now coincide with the rest of County Hall.
Government funding will start transferring to Norfolk next summer, if councillors vote in July 2024 to stage the first election for a leader in May 2025.
While the majority of members voted in favour of the scheme, Brian Watkins, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said delaying the election “creates increased uncertainty” over whether the deal will ever be fully implemented.
He warned that there was likely to be a general election in the meantime which could see changes in government and new ministers may want to see a different deal for Norfolk.
Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group, argued the delay was “kicking it down the road” and that inflation would “rip a hole” in the value of the cash for the county, effectively making it worth less each year.
“You will struggle to convince the sceptical public, and me, that delay is an improvement,” he said.
“This is not devolution, it’s more like desperation.
“This is not a deal worthy of its name, or the resources spent on it, it’s at most a distraction.
“Moving the date is little more than a cynical ploy to cover up how poor and divisive the deal is.”
Several Conservative members, including council leader Kay Mason Billing, said they had initially been “sceptical” of the deal but now believed it was a good option.
“I know this is a good deal for Norfolk and I will support it to the hilt,” she said.
“We are not Birmingham or Manchester but they have devolution deals, they have elected mayors or leaders and they get the money and the prosperity that goes with it.
“Why shouldn’t we have that, why shouldn’t we have a seat at that table, why shouldn’t we benefit in the same way they do, why not Norfolk?”
Brian Long said if the deal were rejected it would put Norfolk “further in the backwaters” with the cash needed to help invest in businesses and support adult education.
“Shame on anyone who votes against it,” he said.
It was not only members of the leading Conservative group who voted in favour.
Tim Adams, a Lib Dem who is also the leader of North Norfolk District Council, described the plans as a "start".
“Much of what we are doing today is keeping our foot in the door until 2024, the offer could still develop before then and certainly could after this arrangement begins,” he said.
“It is the only show in town, nothing else is on offer.”
Member voted 56 for the deal, one abstention and 14 against.
The arrangement will be brought back before the full council in July 2024.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here