Please note: This page includes information up to January 2010. For information after then visit Best for the west
Keeping the 'local' in local government
The Boundary Committee for England has suggested two unitary councils should be set up in Suffolk – one covering Ipswich and Felixstowe ('North Haven') and the other covering the rest of the county ('rural' Suffolk).
It is also putting forward a proposal for one giant unitary council covering all of Suffolk (population over 700,000). You had until 14 May 2009 to let the Boundary Committee know your views.
An alliance of St Edmundsbury, Forest Heath and Waveney councils has put together an alternative proposal, for three unitary councils – East Suffolk, West Suffolk and the Ipswich area.
A survey (PDF 138Kb) by ORB, a national leader in market research, shows nine out of ten people want to see this option available for formal consultation – but the Boundary Committee has refused this. The alliance has written a letter to the Secretary of State Hazel Blears (PDF 32Kb) bringing the survey information to her attention and asking her to give further guidance to the Boundary Committee.
The alliance has built a cost-effective case for the three unitary councils, each with their own local knowledge and experience so they can work more closely with local people, businesses, community groups, parish and town councils to provide locally-designed and delivered services.
To find out more about the survey, and the alliance's 3-unitary proposal, take a look at the website www.keepuslocal.net.
Visit Suffolk County Council's website for details of its alternative proposal – one unitary in Suffolk – and North Haven's website for more information about the unitary covering Ipswich and Felixstowe.
If you would like to take part in the Boundary Committee's consultation email reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk or write to:
Review Manager (Norfolk and Suffolk Reviews)
The Boundary Committee for England
Trevelyan House
Great Peter Street
London SW1P 2HW
Or you can contact us:
Best for the West
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3YU
Email: bestforthewest@stedsbc.gov.uk
Phone: 01284 757498
Please note: This page includes information up to January 2010. For information after then visit Best for the west
