Elected county leader decision may be deferred

Kay Mason Billig said "we didn’t think taxpayers would thank us" for holding the vote separately from the 2025 council elections

A decision on whether Norfolk will get a directly elected leader could be pushed back until 2025.

It is part of a county council devolution deal to get more powers from Westminster. If approved, it could bring £20m a year to the county for the next 30 years.

An election could take place next year, but Norfolk County Council's cabinet has recommended pushing it back until 2025.

Conservative leader Kay Mason Billig said: "It would cost us an awful lot of money to put on a separate election for the whole of Norfolk next year, when we're going to have elections anyway in 2025."

The county council cabinet has recommended the vote is deferred

A directly elected leader or mayor, voted for by county residents, is a requirement of devolution.

The devolution vote could take place in May, alongside the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner election.

Instead, the cabinet is recommending it is held at the same time as the next full county council election in May 2025.

Ms Mason Billig said "It also gives us a lot more time to be able to inform the general public about what it is we're actually doing, gives us time to find candidates for that role and it gives us time to sort the governance arrangements that we will need for this council moving forwards."

Ms Mason Billig believes the deal will go ahead even if there is a change of government.

"No-one can hold future governments to account but we are getting the same sort of information out of the Labour front bench, should they be the next government, that devolution is the way forward," she said.

Concerns have been raised about the idea of a directly elected leader, saying it placed too much power in the hands of one individual.

But members of the county council's cabinet have voted to press ahead with the deal.

The full council will debate the move next week.