Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Waveney residents have the opportunity to put forward their views through a new website – www.keepuslocal.net – which informs and updates residents interested in safeguarding their part of Suffolk. And it also gives the chance for residents to tell the world in words or pictures what is wonderful about their own special area of Suffolk.
With the deadline for the Boundary Committee's public consultation just three weeks away, the aim of the website is to inform residents about the Boundary Committee's draft proposals and the case which the three councils are putting forward setting out the need for three unitary councils covering East Suffolk, West Suffolk and North Haven.
The www.keepuslocal.net website has been developed for residents in both East and West Suffolk who want to learn about this, or other proposals for local government in Suffolk. It also invites residents to have their say by giving them a place to air their views and has a photo gallery which provides an opportunity for people to send in photos of what their part of Suffolk means to them. Opinions and photographs (with short captions saying what makes the picture special) can be emailed to info@keepuslocal.net
Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Waveney all believe that their proposal, for three unitary councils, is the only way to keep the 'local' in local government. This solution would give each distinctive part of Suffolk a strong voice at regional, national and international levels. But, unlike giant unitaries covering massive areas, such as 'One Suffolk', they would remain connected with their local communities and able to invest local resources where they are needed most.
The Boundary Committee for England is reviewing the shape of local government in Suffolk and in July it put forward its draft proposal for a unitary covering Ipswich and Felixstowe ('North Haven') and another ('rural Suffolk') covering the rest of the county, except for Lowestoft which would be pushed into Norfolk. It is also considering a giant unitary covering the whole county (again, apart from Lowestoft). Unitary authorities would provide all the services currently delivered by borough, district and county councils.
You can also express your views directly to the Boundary Committee by filling out the online form at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/suffolk-structural-review
Alternatively, you can write to: Review Manager (Norfolk/Suffolk Review), The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW or email: reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk. The closing date for responses is Friday 26 September.
Other websites also have information about the local government review process – for more information about 'North Haven' look at www.unitarynews.com and information about the proposal for 'one Suffolk' is available on www.suffolk.gov.uk
Ends
Communications contacts
Forest Heath District Council
Rebecca Aspin. Phone: 01638 719420
Email: rebecca.aspin@forest-heath.gov.uk
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
Marianne Hulland. Phone: 01284 757034. 07958 470501
Email: marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
Waveney District Council
Phil Harris. Phone: 01502 523637
Email: phil.harris@waveney.gov.uk
