The future shape of local government in Suffolk could be changing and councils across the county have been submitting their views to the Boundary Committee, who will be putting forward options for consultation later this year.
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.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council is strongly backing a West Suffolk unitary, based at the Public Service Village which is currently being built in Western Way, Bury St Edmunds. The council's submission to the Boundary Committee sets out the reasons why a West Suffolk would work well as a unitary as opposed to one covering the whole of Suffolk. Currently, the largest shire unitary in the country has a population of under 500,000 but a unitary covering the whole of Suffolk would need to deliver services to more than 700,000 people.
Cllr John Griffiths, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Leader, said:
"A giant unitary covering the whole of Suffolk would be much too unwieldy and cumbersome – it simply would not be able to operate efficiently and would struggle to keep in touch, represent and be accountable to so many differing community interests. It is significant that the only county anywhere near Suffolk's size which tried to become a unitary (Cheshire) did not succeed. Cheshire will instead be two unitaries instead and we believe that two, or three if Ipswich is approved, would be a suitable model for Suffolk. A West Suffolk unitary would be able to focus, and represent, both the local and strategic needs in this part of the county. It would be big enough to work, but small enough to connect."
The statement submitted to the Boundary Committee points out that the economy in the east is different to the west, where the focus is very much on Cambridge and its high tech industries. The area is part of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, works with Cambridge councils on housing issues and has close links with businesses in the region. In the east much of the focus is more on coastal issues and urban regeneration of large population centres such as Ipswich and Lowestoft.
Cllr Griffiths added:
"With a population of more than 200,000, a strong economy and a unique local identity, West Suffolk would be well placed to make significant savings in the future and ensure people in this part of the county get what is 'Best for the West'. We want a local government structure where our own Council Tax payers can be confident their money is being spent on their own priorities."
The submission to the Boundary Committee – St Edmundsbury: Shaping the future of Suffolk– and more information about the local government review is available on the website www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk or email bestforthewest@stedsbc.gov.uk or phone 01284 757034.
For information about the Boundary Committee the website is www.boundarycommittee.org.uk, or email reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk. Phone 020 7271 0512.
Ends
Issued by Marianne Hulland, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council.Phone: 01284 757034 Email: marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
