THE Government's proposed new Mayor for Suffolk and Norfolk can bring benefits to the region, but local communities must be fairly represented.

That's the conclusion of Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council following full council meetings this week, which both agreed their responses to consultation on the Government's devolution plans.

The new Mayor for Suffolk and Norfolk is set to be elected in May 2026, and they will lead a new Mayoral County Combined Authority with devolved powers from Government – including strategic oversight of transport, economic development, housing and infrastructure in the two counties.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk recognised the positive impact the mayor could bring. However, there are concerns the formal influence of local residents and community leaders could be limited at mayoral level.

Only the mayor and representatives from new unitary councils being created in Suffolk and Norfolk are likely to have automatic voting rights on the new mayoral authority.

Cllr Deborah Saw, Babergh District Council leader, said: "I am in favour of the mayoral concept, but we must also protect local engagement and local democracy.

"This is one of the many reasons why we must have two or three unitary councils created in Suffolk, so they can provide an effective democratic voice for their communities at mayoral level.

"It is also essential Suffolk and Norfolk have equal representation on the new mayoral authority. Fewer unitary councils in one county could lead to less representation than the other."

As well as creating the new mayoral authority, the Government wants to replace all districts, borough and county councils with new unitary councils.

Suffolk County Council has stated its preference for a single 'mega-council' delivering services for the whole of the county. But all district and borough councils in Suffolk say that would be too large to work effectively and too remote for residents to be heard – instead proposing two or three unitaries for the county.

Cllr Andy Mellen, Mid Suffolk District Council leader, said: "We recognise the positive impact a regional mayor could have. More devolved powers from government should be a good thing for our region.

"But there must not, conversely, be a centralisation of power away from communities – losing the benefits of local expertise and knowledge.

"There is a serious danger that will happen that should there only be one unitary council in Suffolk representing the county at mayoral level."

Final proposals for unitary authorities in Suffolk must be submitted to Government by 26 September. District and borough councils will be engaging widely with the public and stakeholders in the coming months.