Individuals and organisations throughout St Edmundsbury are showing their support for a local government structure which focuses on the priorities and needs of West Suffolk.
A list of reasons why a West Suffolk unitary would be 'best for the west' is now available on St Edmundsbury's website www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk. Within a week of the list becoming public 20 local organisations had given their strong support.
So far nearly 100 responses have come in from people supporting West Suffolk. From a list of 14 different reasons for a West Suffolk unitary:
- 87% said they want their Council Tax invested in West Suffolk services and activities;
- 80% agreed that a unitary covering more than 700,000 across all of Suffolk risks being cumbersome and remote;
- 79% said priorities for people in West Suffolk are different to those in East Suffolk and 72% said West Suffolk has its own unique identity;
- 79% thought a West Suffolk unitary would be more democratic;
- 83% said communicating with one locally-based organisation would be quicker and simpler;
- 85% said a West Suffolk unitary would have more knowledge of local planning/housing issues; and
- 87% agreed that a West Suffolk unitary would be 'big enough to work, small enough to connect'.
Organisations supporting West Suffolk include residents and community associations, churches, groups such as Women's Institutes and societies representing disabled people, plus business and housing associations (including Havebury Housing Partnership).
Cllr John Griffiths, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Leader, said:
In our submission to the Boundary Committee we said it was vital that any new local government authority should be large enough to be strategic, cost effective and take the big decisions, but small enough to keep in close contact and work with (and be accountable to) its local communities. The level of support and strength of feeling for this from local residents, groups and associations – those at the heart of our communities – has been remarkable and shows how much people care about West Suffolk. If a change to unitary government is indeed introduced in Suffolk almost everyone I meet here seems to believe that a West Suffolk unitary would be best (and infinitely better than a giant and remote organisation trying to balance the very different needs of people all over the county) not only for West Suffolk but the county as a whole."
A form listing all the reasons is on the website which can be filled in online. It also asks whether people would be interested in taking part in consultation after 7 July when the Boundary Committee for England publishes its proposals for unitary government in Suffolk.
Six of the eight councils in Suffolk have asked the Boundary Committee to look at setting up East and West Suffolk unitary authorities, with some also supporting a unitary Ipswich. A unitary authority would deliver all the services currently provided by the county, district and borough councils. The idea is to save money, make access to more joined-up services simpler by bringing them all into one organisation, and help people to become more involved in what happens in their local communities.
Further information about the review is available on St Edmundsbury's website, or email bestforthewest@stedsbc.gov.uk, phone 01284 757498, or through the Boundary Committee website www.boundarycommittee.org.uk, or email reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk or phone 020 7271 0512.
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Issued by Marianne Hulland, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone: 01284 757034 Email: marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
