Ducks and lapwings at Cley (iStock)
Let’s make Devolution a win-win for growth and nature
Norfolk and Suffolk are on the Government’s fast track to devolution - which will see the creation of a new overarching ‘strategic authority’.
This new strategic authority, known as a Combined County Authority is set to be established in 2026. It will initially be led by representatives from Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils. There will be elections for these councils in May 2026. Ahead of these elections we will be calling on all parties and candidates to pledge to act for nature, and we'll need your help to make sure nature's voice is heard.
An elected mayor will oversee this new set up of local government in Norfolk and Suffolk. Voters will be asked to elect the new mayor in May 2028 (delayed from May 2026). As we get closer to these mayoral elections, we will be calling on all candidates to act for nature and asking for your help again to make sure they listen.
Why devolution matters for Norfolk's wildlife
Devolution represents a once in a generation opportunity to give local government the resources and powers to deliver genuinely environmentally-positive growth that helps restore nature.
In addition to roles in strategic planning and delivery of housing, economic growth, transport, local infrastructure, energy, and health, Combined County Authority and new Mayor (once in post) will have the job of coordinating efforts to restore nature. This will be done though the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Norfolk and Suffolk.
These new strategies describe what is needed, and where, to help wildlife to recover from long-term declines. They are seen as crucial to hitting legally binding targets to halt biodiversity loss and protect 30% of the UK’s land and seas for nature by 2030.
Turning the strategies from a set of ambitions, priorities, and opportunities, into new wildlife habitats on the ground requires commitment and leadership.
What Norfolk Wildlife Trust wants to see happen
The UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, with 1 in 6 UK species at risk of being lost and the majority of important habitats in poor condition. And the fall out from this will impact our communities too – through climate change, flooding as well as reduced water and air quality.
We’re asking the leaders shaping these proposals to make sure local government has the resources to lead on nature recovery in Norfolk and Suffolk and deliver the healthy and resilient natural environment we need to support sustainable growth.
Visitors at Sweet Briar Marshes (credit: Denzil Dean)
We are calling for devolution plans to include:
Funding settlements for the new Combined County Authority to include ring-fenced funding for nature recovery and the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategies or Norfolk and Suffolk.
The ability of the new authority to secure meaningful contributions to nature recovery from major development, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, offshore wind, solar farms, and National Grid transmission infrastructure.
The new Combined County Authority to have a duty to publish a coordinated action plan (or plans) for meeting local targets to contribute to the government’s commitments to nature recovery, including:
· Protecting, restoring, and expanding nature reserves and other wildlife sites
· Halting declines in the abundance of species by 2030
· Protecting 30% our land and ocean by 2030
· Restoring our rivers to good ecological health
Adherence to the environmental principles enshrined in the Environment Act 2021.
Adoption of a ‘nature in all policies’ approach to improve the natural environment through the Combined County Authority’s functions.
Ensure nature has a voice in the new Combined County Authority through the responsibilities and representation of its members.
What is Norfolk Wildlife Trust doing?
January 2026
On Thursday 8 of January Norfolk Wildlife Trust met with parliamentarians in Westminster to make the case for nature recovery to be placed at the heart of England’s evolving devolution agenda as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords.
The event, hosted by Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter and featuring speakers including Debbie Tann MBE, CEO of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and Chris Luxton, CEO of Suffolk Wildlife Trust, was attended by local Wildlife Trusts from across the country, from areas selected for the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme, and MPs and members of the House of Lords. You can find more information on this event here.
September 2025
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which sets up the legal framework for the new strategic authorities and the reorganisation of local councils into unitary authorities, was introduced to parliament. We briefed MPs in Norfolk on the changes we would like to see to the Bill as it progresses through parliament.
June 2025
A group of Council Leaders and Cabinet Members from local authorities, along with Norfolk and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts signed a letter to the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution - Jim McMahon - asking him to ensure the Government’s devolution proposals ‘maximise the benefits to local people, businesses, the economy, and the environment from nature-positive growth and development that support local and national ambitions and targets for nature recovery and net zero.’
March 2025
We joined forces with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and other nature charities to send an open letter to council leaders, local MPs, and the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution - Jim McMahon OBE MP – calling for devolution to give local governments the resources to restore nature across the two counties.
Read our full response to the Devolution Consultation
(The Devolution Consultation is now closed)
What are the next steps for nature positive devolution?
As the proposals take shape, we will continue to engage with councils and the Government to ensure that nature-positive growth and nature recovery are at the heart of a devolution deal in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The Government has now introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which will set the legal framework for the new strategic authorities. Making sure this includes specific powers, duties and funding for Mayoral strategic authorities to lead on nature recovery is going to be essential for nature recovery, not just in Norfolk and Suffolk, but for nature across the whole country.
We’ll need your help too – when the time comes, we’ll let you know.