Cllr Jamieson won't run in May election, but 'wishes successor well'

Andrew Jamieson says the government has 'put politics before principle' by supporting 3 unitary authorities

As Norfolk County Council prepares for the May elections, I am reflecting on what we’ve achieved over this term in office. It has been an honour to be the cabinet member for finance for the last 7 years, tackling major financial challenges and seeking the opportunities to invest for the future.

The Herring bridge, independent living schemes, new schools, and our imminent deal to transform ageing care homes are tangible signs of how our administration has put the people of Norfolk first. In particular, I am proud to have worked financially with the Children Services team, enabling them to improve from inadequate to the highest ranking in overall care quality. 

We are in politics to improve lives and that’s what we have done – whether we’re in the cabinet, or the committees that hold us to account.

While other councils have gone bust or sought emergency financial support, Norfolk County Council has continued to set balanced budgets, thanks to efficiency savings and transformation work that has limited our requirement to cut frontline services. 

There is no doubt that the task has got trickier each year and that was why I was looking forward to local government reorganisation, to put our sector on a more secure footing. It’s a once in generation chance to ensure councils reflect the modern world.

I have always been clear that having one unitary council for Norfolk would be the best result for the county’s residents and businesses.  It would be able to make the largest savings to invest in services; it would avoid the dismemberment of crucial, county-wide services such as adult social care, children’s services and highways and transport; and it would avoid a postcode lottery of provision, by having strong service delivery across the whole of Norfolk, linked to area committees.

I have always warned that splitting Norfolk into two or three unitaries would put political vanity above public service and risk creating unviable authorities – especially in the west of the county. But the Government has not listened to logic and facts. It has put politics before principle. And it has decided to take what I think is the perilous step of supporting 3 unitary authorities.

I am immensely proud of Norfolk County Council and its achievements and I had hoped to see things through to the end of this fine organisation in 2028. I wanted to be a founding father of a new unitary council.

While I don’t agree with suspending elections, the Government’s initial decision to do so at least gave the benefit of stability and the space and time to get our much cherished devolution deal over the line.

Devolution would bring millions of pounds of investment and give Norfolk and Suffolk control of its own destiny in areas such as transport, regeneration, housing and skills.  Unfortunately, the recent U-turn has thrown everything up in the air. Having elections at this crucial point in time means we’ve had to pause devolution, with no certainty that the next administration will support it; it throws preparations for local government reorganisation into confusion, as we will have scores of new councillors who have a very steep learning curve; and I am concerned that prudent financial planning could be replaced by populist slash and burn budgeting, hollowing out our key services, at a time when people need them most. This is fast hitting home: I have noted with interest that the tone of doorstep comments has changed from “a delay is a disgrace to democracy” to “it’s going to cost how much??” [£2.1million]; and how long for??2 [one year effectively]; and then another election when?? [next year]; and that will cost over £2million as well?? [Yup, closer to £2.5].

I have every confidence that my successor, Peter Wilkindon, will hold my seat on 7 May. But the Government’s decision to reject a single unitary authority has made my mind up for me.

I can’t help to create something that will unpick all the achievements of the county council, create further financial strain and, ultimately, mean worse outcomes for the people of Norfolk.

I wish my successors well, as they attempt to turn the unicorn of three unitary councils into reality.