It was a pleasure to welcome Levelling Up Minister, Lee Rowley MP, to Bury St Edmunds for the historic signing of the Suffolk County Devolution Deal. The landmark half a billion-pound deal places money and power over building, regeneration and skills into the hands of leaders in Suffolk who know best what is required to level up and meet our region’s ambitions. The investment fund is guaranteed for the next thirty years, enabling the county to drive growth and plan for the long-term with certainty as we look to unlock our economic potential.
The deal also sets out the government’s plans to devolve more power to Suffolk County Council through:
- Investment: It will bring decades of funding worth £480 million to improve the lives of Suffolk’s residents and spend on their local priorities.
- Housing: The deal will provide £5.8 million to regenerate brownfield land into beautiful, affordable homes and drive economic growth across the area; Suffolk will also receive greater compulsory purchase powers.
- Education: The agreement devolves the Adult Education Budget so they can shape provision in a way that best suits the needs of residents and the local Suffolk economy.
- Transport: An integrated transport settlement starting in 2024/25, to support the area to improve key transport infrastructure priorities.
- The Environment: The new deal will help Suffolk deliver on its ambitions to be the country’s greenest county with £3 million to improve energy efficiency in homes.
For more information visit: Suffolk devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
