Plans for directly elected mayor for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk ‘flawed’
“Plans for three counties in East Anglia to have a directly elected mayor with devolved powers are flawed, the Norfolk councillor leading negotiations admits.
George Nobbs, Labour leader of Norfolk County Council, has opened an official debate on plans for devolved powers.
The mayor would look after transport, strategic planning and skills training in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
MPs across the three counties have criticised the plans, but Mr Nobbs said negotiations should continue.
He admitted proposals in their present form were flawed but said “there are lots of things to be said for this scheme and lots of things to be said against it”.
Liberal Democrat Group leader Marie Strong questioned the need for a directly elected mayor.
“We were told the role of mayor was optional; when did it become compulsory?” she asked.
Mr Nobbs replied: “We were told by ministers it’s that or nothing.”
Conservative group leader Cliff Jordan said the plans so far had generated “a lot of confusion”.
The plan is for the mayor to be chosen by voters in the three counties in May next year. He or she will have the power to increase business rates to fund infrastructure projects.
The mayor will be answerable to a cabinet made up of nominees from the 23 local councils.
Some Conservative MPs from the region have said the idea of an elected mayor is not popular with many people, while others said the money on offer – £1bn over 30 years – was not much.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said: “We are committed to the deal and will continue to work with all the councils. Councils in East Anglia have until June to decide if they want to take part in this historic opportunity.”
East Devon Watch 
The Tories desperately want “plausible deniability” for all government. Its why they wanted to take out government responsibility from the Health and Social Care Act, why they are de-nationalising our education system. Its why “devolution” – its nothing to do with local power or local democracy – it is only to do with having power without responsibility. And selling things off to their mates.
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