An agreement has been reached over a deal that would see the creation of a Norfolk and Suffolk mayor and £1.1m of investment in the two counties.
Leaders from Reform-led Norfolk and Suffolk county councils have reached an agreement over the terms of a devolution deal which both councils are happy with.
The government is ready to hand the two counties a deal to transfer powers for issues such as transport, housing, jobs and adult education from Whitehall to Norfolk and Suffolk, along with a £37.4m-a-year investment fund.
For it to proceed, an elected mayor will be created for the two counties, heading up a new combined authority, expected to be made up of two representatives from Norfolk County Council and two from Suffolk County Council.
But before the government can lay the necessary Parliamentary statutory instrument to allow the combined authority to be set up, Norfolk and Suffolk councils must make formal resolutions consenting.
Norfolk County Council agreed to give its deputy leader Robin Hunter-Clarke the authority to give that consent last month, but Suffolk County Council had postponed a decision because of qualms about the deal.
Suffolk's leader Michael Hadwen had wanted reassurances that Suffolk would be an "equal partner" in any deal and there had been talks between the two councils about the terms.
The agreement which has been reached means any investment must be shown to benefit the wider region, and the mayor and deputy mayor will not both come from the same county.
At a meeting on Tuesday (November 10), Suffolk County Council's cabinet agreed to consent to the deal - a key step forward in the process.
Mr Hunter-Clarke said: "Together, we can make a stronger case to government for investment in our region. We want that investment to make a lasting difference across both counties, and we'll expect every pound to be spent wisely."
Mr Hadwen said: "This agreement with our neighbours in Norfolk demonstrates the collaborative approach both counties are taking as we work towards a new chapter that delivers greater benefits for residents and businesses."
Both councils will now work with the government on the remaining steps needed to establish the new combined authority, which would be established early next year.
The election for Norfolk and Suffolk's first mayor is due to take place in May 2028, with Norfolk County Council leader David Bick Reform's candidate for the role.
Suffolk police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore is the Conservative candidate and Carli Harper, former deputy leader of Norwich City Council, is Labour's candidate.
The Greens and the Liberal Democrats had announced Caroline Topping and Kevin Keable as their candidates, but they have since withdrawn.
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