BOUNDARY COMMITTEE MUST LISTEN TO PEOPLE OF SUFFOLK
The Boundary Committee has been urged to keep its promise to listen to the people of Suffolk before deciding on the future shape of the county.
At the end of the year it will make up its mind on proposals that could yet see the creation of two or three unitary councils for Suffolk or one giant unitary council for the county - and the wrenching of Lowestoft into Norfolk.
Forest Heath District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Waveney District Council have asked the Committee to meet and discuss their own proposals to keep Suffolk local by creating three new unitary councils in West Suffolk, East Suffolk and North Haven.
And yet, to the Councils’ great frustration, the Boundary Committee has not agreed to meet them on their own, despite meeting Suffolk County Council in a closed meeting to talk about its One Council for Suffolk plan.
In a joint statement, Cllr Geoffrey Jaggard (Leader, Forest Heath), Cllr John Griffiths (Leader, St Edmundsbury) and Cllr Mark Bee (Leader, Waveney), said:
"The Boundary Committee tell us it is in 'listening mode' so we would have expected them to meet us and learn more about a proposal, which makes perfect sense by creating efficient, strong new councils in touch with the real needs of local people.
"Local people do not want one giant, out of touch mega- council nor do they see any sense in Lowestoft moving into Norfolk. It would be disappointing if the Boundary Committee - and indeed the Government - fail to give the residents of Suffolk a chance to make their case."
In September Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Waveney submitted a joint proposal to the Boundary Committee for England, which is reviewing the shape of local government in Suffolk.
The councils say that their model improves on the draft proposals put forward in July by the Committee 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.)
The three Leaders agree that North Haven can work as a concept but want to improve the Boundary Committee's proposal for a 'rural Suffolk' by dividing it into West and East Unitary authorities.
Three councils in West Suffolk, East Suffolk and North Haven would to be big enough to work strategically and have a strong voice at regional, national and international levels.
But, unlike giant unitaries covering huge areas, they would also be connected with their local communities and able to put resources where they are needed most.