Devolution deals have been struck in Suffolk and Norfolk, giving them more than £1bn, the Government has announced.

Under the deals, the counties will be handed direct control over building, regeneration and skills delivery.

Both counties will directly elect the leader of their councils from May 2024. 

Local government secretary Michael Gove said: 'I am delighted to sign two further historic deals for Suffolk and Norfolk that will see communities handed hundreds of millions of pounds to use as they – not Whitehall - see fit.'

Under the proposed deal for Suffolk, the county will receive control of a £480m investment fund over 30 years, as well as a multi-year transport settlement at the next Spending Review.

Norfolk is to receive a £600m investment fund over the same period, with almost £7m to support regeneration of brownfield sites into affordable homes for residents.

However, leader of Breckland DC in Norfolk, Sam Chapman-Allen, who is also chairman of the District Councils' Network, said he was 'unconvinced that the directly elected leader model for these deals is the best way to deliver devolution'.

He said: 'We think combined authorities are a much better and more certain way to integrate district councils and all local partners into delivering on the potential of devolution.'