Forest Heath District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Waveney District Council are fighting to keep the local in local government. We are fundamentally opposed to one giant single unitary council covering all of Suffolk and believe we can improve on the Boundary Committee's idea for two authorities. Having three unitary councils covering East Suffolk, West Suffolk and North haven makes much more sense.
We believe there is a real risk that your 'local' voice could be lost and that the idea of a massive single unitary council trying to be all things, to all people, in all areas of Suffolk is a nonsense!
Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and Waveney have all agreed to send in a joint proposal to the Boundary Committee which improves its draft proposal for a 'rural' Suffolk. We are suggesting a model of three unitary councils covering East Suffolk, West Suffolk and North Haven, which includes bringing Lowestoft back into Suffolk where it belongs and would be a strategic part of an East Suffolk unitary.
This solution would give each council a strong voice at regional, national and international levels either as individuals – focused on issues unique to their areas – or collectively when the issues concern all of Suffolk. But, unlike giant unitaries covering massive areas, they would also be connected with their local communities and able to invest resources where they are needed most.
This proposal would still help to cut costs and ensure that Council Tax is spent effectively yet would continue to ensure that local people will still have a say about the services which are at the heart of their daily lives.
We are urging the Boundary Committee to keep us local. To voice your support or for more information contact us at info@keepuslocal.net.
Help keep safeguard Suffolk and keep it local!