The Boundary Committee for England is carrying out an
independent review of the way local government works in Norfolk and
Suffolk.
Where are we now?
| Stage |
Date |
Process |
Status |
|
|
2007: The government invited local councils to submit proposals
following the Local Government White Paper. Ipswich Borough Council
submitted a proposal to become a unitary authority. Suffolk County
Council submitted a 'Pathfinder' proposal to develop two-tier
working alongside the remaining seven district and borough
councils. |
|
|
|
July 2007: The Government announced that they were minded to
implement a unitary Ipswich, but further work on the financial case
would be needed. |
|
|
|
December 2007: The Secretary of State decided not to implement
a Unitary Ipswich, but referred it to the Boundary Committee to
look into ways a unitary authority could work for Suffolk. This
work became the Local Government Review. |
|
| 1 |
3 March - 11 April 2008 |
Councils identify their concepts for unitary
councils |
Complete |
|
|
Local authorities developed new models of unitary local
government in Norfolk and Suffolk against the Boundary Committee's
five criteria: broad cross-section of support, leadership, deliver
the empowerment of citizens and communities, value-for-money
services and affordability. |
|
| 2 |
14 April - 4 July 2008 |
Boundary Committee develop concepts for
consideration |
Complete |
|
|
April 2008: Suffolk County Council and Mid Suffolk
District Council put forward a joint submission for a single
unitary council covering the whole of Suffolk, called ‘One
Suffolk’. |
|
|
|
A total of six options for unitary councils in Suffolk were put
forward by local authorities in the county. |
|
|
|
The Boundary Committee looked at the options put forward to
decide which should go for wider consultation. |
|
| 3 |
7 July - 26 September 2008 |
Boundary Committee publishes draft proposals for
consultation |
Complete |
|
|
The Boundary Committee publishes its proposals and asks the
public and local authorities for their opinion. |
|
|
|
7 July 2008: The Boundary Committee announced that it will
consult on two proposals for Suffolk, and asked authorities to
develop 'financial cases' for:
- two unitary councils (a North Haven unitary council, including
Ipswich, Felixstowe and many rural areas (lead authority: Ipswich
Borough Council); and a Suffolk unitary council covering the
remainder of the county, excluding Lowestoft. Lowestoft is proposed
to move into Norfolk) (lead authority: Suffolk County Council);
and
- a single unitary Suffolk council (excluding Lowestoft, which is
proposed to move into Norfolk) (lead authority: Suffolk County
Council).
|
|
|
|
21 August: the Boundary Committee asked Suffolk County Council
to include Lowestoft in its financial cases. |
|
|
|
19 September: Financial cases are submitted to the
Boundary Committee |
|
|
|
25 September:
Extraordinary meeting of full Council to agree the
council's response to the Boundary Committee's
consultation |
|
| 4 |
29 September - 19 December 2008 |
Boundary Committee makes final recommendation to
Secretary of State |
In progress |
|
|
The Boundary Committee will consider the feedback and advise
government on new local structures by 31 December 2008. |
|
What do you think?
Tell the Boundary Committee what you think about the
proposals
at reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk.
For more information or to talk to someone about the proposals,
email
yourcouncil@suffolk.gov.uk
or phone 08456 066067.