Plans for Suffolk voters to directly-elect a political leader for Suffolk County Council next year appear to have fallen victim to this week's decision to call a general election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday afternoon the election will be held on Thursday, July 4.

The project to devolve more powers to Suffolk County Council in return for an extra £16million a year and a directly-elected council leader looks certain to be suspended.

That means there will be no direct election for a council leader in 2025 - and the whole process could have to be restarted if there is a change in government.

The current consultation period is due to to finish at the end of this week, but there can be no further progress without ministerial approval.

East Anglian Daily Times: Rishi Sunak speaking as he announces a general election is to be held on July 4Rishi Sunak speaking as he announces a general election is to be held on July 4 (Image: PA)

With government departments on a "care and maintenance" regime during the election campaign no one could make such a political decision.

That means that means a final decision will not be made in time for next May's county council elections to also include a poll for a directly-elected leader.

It is expected the county council will formally suspend the process until later in the year to see who is in power and what they want to do with devolution.

A final decision on the Sunnica solar farm near Mildenhall was due to be published by the government in June after being delayed four times - but that will now be put off until after the election.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sizewell C is still awaiting the final go-ahead but the election is not likely to lead to a long delay.Sizewell C is still awaiting the final go-ahead but the election is not likely to lead to a long delay. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

And the promoters of the Sizewell C project had hoped to get the Final Investment Decision (FID) agreed before the election - but that will now happen after the poll.

However both current Conservative ministers and their Labour shadows have committed themselves to the nuclear programme and no long delay is expected.

A Sizewell C spokesperson said: "We are continuing to engage with investors and prepare for FID, and we are moving ahead as planned on our construction site." 

The consultation over how to carry electricity from the North Sea to other parts of England, including proposals for a new line of pylons across East Anglia, is ongoing - but that is not due to be sent to the government until next year anyway so it is unlikely to be affected by the  general election.

However it is expected to be a key issue in the campaign among those communities most directly affected.