THE RT HON MATT HANCOCK MP HOUSE OF COMMONS London SW1A 0AA The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF 16 August 2021 Dear Robert, Thank you for setting out so clearly your proposals for the next stage of devolution in England, and for inviting local areas to respond with propositions of what will work in our area. We agree with you that devolution can help to fulfil our mission to serve our residents to the best of our abilities. Decisions taken more locally can better fit local circumstances, and deliver on the hopes and expectations of those we serve. Suffolk has demonstrated support for this approach at all levels, among our Councils, MPs, PCC, LEP, local NHS and other public services. As the Councils have said: “Suffolk has already demonstrated its credibility as a place where Government will find strong and ambitious delivery partners.” We agree. As Suffolk’s seven MPs we are therefore writing to wholeheartedly support the vision set out, collectively, by Suffolk County Council and all of Suffolk’s District and Borough Councils. We believe this unity of purpose behind taking the next step in devolution through a County Deal can not just help persuade you that we should be in the vanguard of the next stage of devolution, but also that Suffolk can use such a deal to deliver better services locally. This is not a recent or short lived view. For many years local leaders in Suffolk at all levels have worked more closely together, and have put forward constructive propositions for further improvements. We hope to work with you on your forthcoming White Paper to show that strong local leadership and strengthened local governance can deliver better. The Councils have set out the material factors which we hope you will consider for why Suffolk should be in the vanguard for the next stage of devolution. We believe a Suffolk County Deal would demonstrate the Government’s levelling up agenda extending to East Anglia by empowering our area. Of course there will be many details that will need to be worked through. We believe that these can be satisfactorily resolved because the strong support for the principle of a County Deal means we are confident for a successful outcome. We want to stress the very strong degree of support for such leadership, and our determination to work with you and all local partners on a strong, effective and ambitious County Deal. We would be grateful for the chance to meet you soon to discuss how we can best work with you, the Councils and others to take forward this proposal with enthusiasm and pace, so we can all deliver for the people of Suffolk. Working for West Suffolk www.matthancock.co.uk @matthancockmp London: 020 7219 7186 [email protected] Suffolk: 01284 701807 THE RT HON MATT HANCOCK MP HOUSE OF COMMONS London SW1A 0AA Peter Aldous James Cartlidge Jo Churchill Matt Hancock Tom Hunt Dan Poulter cc. Luke Hall MP, Minister of State for Regional Growth and Local Government Working for West Suffolk www.matthancock.co.uk @matthancockmp London: 020 7219 7186 [email protected] Suffolk: 01284 701807 .