The first stage of the innovative Public Service Village in Bury St Edmunds has received the go-ahead from councillors and independent reviewers, giving a green light for construction.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk County Council will be sharing a new building in Western Way to provide easier access to all council services from one site. The offices can be built at no additional cost to the Council Tax payer and, by bringing the two councils together under one roof, will make services more cost effective. It is hoped that more public sector services will move on to the site in future years.
This week Suffolk County Council's Cabinet and St Edmundsbury Borough's full Council both approved the final business case which confirmed the Public Service Village makes financial sense for Council Tax payers as well as providing a base for improved services. And today the borough council's Development Control Committee approved the planning application for the building, on the corner of Western Way and Beetons Way.
The approvals come after an independent review through the Government's Gateway process gave the programme a status of 'green' following a robust challenge of all the financial and construction aspects. Only 12% of projects nationally earn this green status.
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Contacts: SEBC, Marianne Hulland, 01284 757034. SCC, Moira Bryan, 01473264398
