Devolution in West Norfolk: Loss of street-level politics would be ‘a disaster’ - but key projects intact, says Alistair Beales

When the news broke in late November that district authorities could be scrapped, it was as much a surprise for West Norfolk Council leader Alistair Beales as it was for most others.

Things have moved at a rapid pace since then - Norfolk County Council’s cabinet has already agreed to apply to be part of the Government’s priority programme for devolution.

If things go to plan, the county could be covered by new unitary authorities, encompassing services currently split between councils.

Naturally, a debate has already begun. Would this lead to poorer representation in West Norfolk? Would any deal result in more funding being generally diverted to Norwich?

For Cllr Beales, ensuring any reorganisation does not result in residents being cut adrift is of the utmost importance.

“What's really important is that local government is local,” he tells the Lynn News.

“People know who I am in my village and the other villages I represent, and that goes for anyone that's really doing the job and is involved.

“It's street-level politics. People know who you are. They'll poke you in the chest and say, ‘Why are you doing this?’

“If that's lost, that would be an absolute disaster in my view.”

The Labour Government’s plans, while slightly confusing, look set to see district councils abolished as part of a new shake-up of local government - with the new unitary services established.

A new ‘combined authority’ could then be created to cover large areas, as well as a position for an elected mayor.

This raises some serious questions for West Norfolk.

What will happen to major projects currently ongoing in the borough, such as the Guildhall theatre revamp and the creation of new swimming pools in Lynn and Hunstanton?

What will happen to the area’s county councillors who may now be required to serve two or three years more than they planned before the next County Hall elections take place?

And what of the borough councillors currently serving? On that front, Cllr Beales believes the number will be reduced from around 55 to the mid-20s by the time any devolution deal is formalised.

Thankfully, he insists that it is still full steam ahead with the Guildhall and swimming pool schemes. In fact, the aim is to have them completed as soon as possible to avoid them becoming bogged down in any transition periods.

“I've talked about the importance of what the Government wants to achieve, but what is equally and hugely important is that we continue to do our job and deliver,” he stresses.

“We know better than anyone else what West Norfolk needs, because we live here. We use these facilities ourselves and understand them.”

Cllr Simon Ring, the borough council’s deputy leader, is equally passionate about ensuring these projects are seen through to completion.

“The three projects that we absolutely have to get contract signed so they can go forward are the Guildhall, the St James' Swimming Pool rebuild and the Oasis (in Hunstanton).

“We have to do those, because if we don't, our residents will end up not benefiting from years and years of frugal management of this council and have nothing to show for it - because any reserves will no doubt go into the new authority.”

But Cllr Beales has made his frustration at county elections being postponed quite clear. In short, he is “dead opposed” to pushing them back.

“I'm endlessly pragmatic when it comes to politics. The only prism I look at is what's good for our community. It sounds trite, but that's the only way to do it in my view,” he says.

“We've got potentially a minimum of two years, possibly three, before the new authority will be set up, and in that time I just think that's too long for people to remain in there and have their mandates extended.”

However, he backs devolution as a whole. From the outset, he has insisted the priority is securing the “best outcome” for our area.

Cllr Beales believes that the proposed changes will eventually result in a town council being created for Lynn, joining others in the likes of Hunstanton, Downham, Swaffham and Fakenham.

He thinks these town councils will “step up” and be handed more responsibilities - although he fears for the future of parish councils.

Meanwhile, whatever happens, he wants to see the tradition of having a West Norfolk mayor continue.

“What we do is pretty dull. When the mayor turns up, he or she can get messages across and can convene people,” he says.

“It’s a really important role, so that needs to survive.”

At the moment, the borough council is continuing to put proposals forward. It is in the midst of discussions with fellow district councils, as well as County Hall.

If the Government decides to put Norfolk on the priority programme, an outline business case could be prepared for March - with a full business case submitted around May time.

A new system could then theoretically be in place by 2027 or 2028, although Cllr Beales believes that is ambitious.

“It's all to play for. We will take a very constructive role in this,” he says.

“We're not going to scream into the void and say ‘no’. It's going to happen. That's the Government ambition.”