We love Lowestoft - and it should
stay in Suffolk. That is the message from Suffolk County
Council today.
Councillor Jeremy Pembroke, Leader of Suffolk County Council
said; “The Boundary Committee has now asked us to include Lowestoft
in both of the financial cases. This is incredibly positive
news. It gives us the opportunity to show how keeping
Lowestoft in Suffolk is not just economically sensible, it is the
best overall option for the future of the county and particularly
for the people of Lowestoft.”
He added; “The residents of Lowestoft, including Waveney
District Council and many local businesses, have been vocal in
expressing their wish to remain in Suffolk. We strongly support
them in this. We have been working closely with Waveney District
Council and I would like to pay personal tribute to the very
positive role played by Waveney’s Leader, Councillor Mark Bee.”
Suffolk County Council and our partners have worked hard to help
fulfil the aspirations of people living in Lowestoft: Orbis Energy
will become a national centre for renewable energy and
regeneration; a new secondary school and sixth form centre will
refocus educational achievement and attainment in the area; and a
new state-of-the-art fire station, reflecting changes in local
population, is currently being built in the area. These are just
three of the many examples of the commitment and investment that is
helping to transform the town.
In conjunction with Waveney District Council, the
county council has produced postcards bearing the call to action –
“Love it or lose it - Lowestoft: Suffolk forever”. The cards have
been pre- printed with the Boundary Committee’s address, so that
people can simply say why they think Lowestoft should stay in
Suffolk. The postcards can be picked up from county council
buildings, libraries and at various shops and businesses in the
town.
-ENDS-
Media contact: John Ross, communications manager, telephone:
01473 264398, email:
john.ross@comms.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Councillor contacts:
Jeremy Pembroke, Leader of Suffolk County Council, Tel: 01473
264012, Email:
jeremy.pembroke@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Julian Swainson, Leader of the Labour Group, Mobile; 07771 810037,
Email:
julian.swainson@suffolkcc.gov.uk
Kathy Pollard, Leader of the Liberal Democrat and Independent
group, Tel: 01473 311384, Mobile: 07889 123702, Email:
kathy.pollard@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Investment in Lowestoft
- Lowestoft Relief Road - We have invested around £4million on
road and environmental improvements for the town. We spent over
£30million on building a new relief road which runs the whole
length of South Lowestoft and takes traffic away from the A12,
reducing delays and encouraging more businesses to move in.
- Bascule Bridge closures - We made sure that the Highways Agency
communicated to businesses and local residents about the
closures.
- OrbisEnergy Centre - More than £8billion will be invested over
the next 10 years around the East of England coastline into
offshore renewable energy. At the heart of this massive business
opportunity, generating multi-million pound contracts will be
OrbisEnergy, a state-of-the-art five storey building on the
country's easternmost point. Much more than just a building,
OrbisEnergy will help drive local regeneration, giving suppliers
and investors direct access to a dedicated business network. With
the southern North Sea emerging as the international proving ground
for large-scale offshore wind farms, OrbisEnergy will become the
flagship for businesses keen to capture the economic benefits from
offshore wind, wave and tidal technologies. Designed using
cutting-edge environmentally friendly technology, the 3,300 square
metre building will be a worldwide centre of excellence for
offshore renewable energy.The five floor building sits on Britain's
most easterly location at Ness Point in Lowestoft, featuring
adaptable state-of-the-art offices, conference and exhibition
facilities, and high-tech communications links. It will be home to
more than 30 small and medium sized companies involved in offshore
renewable energy, as well as a centre of academic expertise,
supporting new and existing businesses within a flourishing
commercial and information network.
- New Household Waste Recycling Centre - We have built the first
split level site for Suffolk in Lowestoft. Residents can now
recycle more on the site and not have to worry about climbing
stairs to dispose of rubbish in the containers.
- Children’s Centre - Opened two new children’s centres
- Schools - We have spent £5million on improving three schools
within the area
- North Suffolk Skills Centre - We have built a new £1.8million
skills centre, a first of its type in the county, at Halesworth
Middle School
2. Financial cases : The Boundary Committee has asked local
authorities to complete ‘financial cases’. These are workbooks of
detailed financial information on each of the patterns of unitary
local government. The financial cases will provide an overview and
full business case clearly outlining the set up costs and benefits
to be realised in each unitary option. The Boundary Committee will
publish our submissions on their website soon after 12
September.
Suffolk County Council is leading on the financial cases
for:
- Unitary Suffolk excluding Lowestoft
- Unitary Suffolk including Lowestoft
- Rural Suffolk, excluding Lowestoft
- Rural Suffolk including Lowestoft
Ipswich Borough Council is leading on the financial case
for:
- North Haven unitary
council.