Mid Suffolk and Babergh leaders to hold extra devolution debate

Leaders at two councillors are set to hold an extra devolution debate.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk councillors will be debating devolution across the county as new details are still expected from the Government.

Earlier this month, county councillors decided to join the Government's devolution priority programme to fast-track plans to scrap district and borough councils and replace them with unitary authorities.

The decision included asking the Government to delay this year's county council elections, which sparked controversy among councillors.

Cllr Andy Mellen, Mid Suffolk's leader, said: "It's important that we all have an opportunity to debate this issue in public."

Suffolk authorities are expecting a decision from local government minister Jim McMahon MP by the end of the month on whether the county will join the priority programme and postpone its elections.

Cllr Deborah Saw, Babergh's leader said it would be a good opportunity for councillors to express their views.

She added: "I have made my position clear that county council elections should go ahead.

"Not to hold an election damages the legitimacy of the decisions the county leadership takes when it makes decisions about issues that impact on everyone."

Although most councillors will have said their piece by the time the meeting is over, no decision will be taken as that was a matter for the county council earlier in the month.

The meeting will take place on February 10.