The Boundary Committee for England has today announced it sees
merit in the 'One Suffolk' proposal. The Committee has backed the
joint proposal from Suffolk County Council and Mid Suffolk District
Council – ‘One Suffolk’ as one of the proposals upon which it is
consulting.
Councillor Tim Passmore, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council,
said, “I am very pleased that our joint bid is one of the two
options being consulted upon. I believe 'One Suffolk' offers the
best chance of reducing council tax, and provides the strongest
voice for Suffolk – and a stronger voice means more clout with
central government, and more money coming in to Suffolk to improve
services for local people”.
Councillor Jeremy Pembroke, Leader of Suffolk County Council,
said, “If people and local organisations support the ‘One Suffolk’
proposal, then the Boundary Committee will put that to the
Secretary of State. Our 'One Suffolk' is the cheapest solution - it
would save the equivalent of £100 for every household in Suffolk.
It would make all services easier to use and give local people in
each area a bigger say. Our task is to ensure that our residents
don’t lose out through any changes. I remain convinced that a
unitary Suffolk – one council for the county – would benefit the
people of Suffolk.”
Suffolk residents and businesses are very much encouraged to
express their views to The Boundary Committee for England. There
are two proposals being consulted on. You are asked to share your
views, please send these to the Boundary Committee for England at
Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW, or email
reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk
by 26 September.
Full details of the consultation are available on the Boundary
Committee website at
www.boundarycommittee.org.uk,
with more information about the proposals on the two council
websites at
www.suffolk.gov.uk and
www.midsuffolk.gov.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The key aspects of the One Suffolk option are:
- Cheapest - the most affordable option. One council will save
the equivalent of £100 per household in Suffolk.
- Easiest – wherever you live in Suffolk, all services will be
provided by the same council. So whether you need to report a
pot hole, get your street lamp fixed, or pay your council tax,
there will be just one number to ring. Simple.
- Closest – one council brings power to your town or village. You
and your neighbours will decide together what is best for your town
or village. You decide how many hours you need the library
open or whether to charge for car parking. You can decide what
additional recycling you want to do.
- Real power moves down to the very local level.
It would also:
- Be a brand new council: not an extended county council
- Become the strongest voice for Suffolk. A single voice for
Suffolk means more clout with central government and more money
coming into Suffolk to tackle our problems (e.g. coastal erosion
and road maintenance)
- Ensure rural areas will get more money to spend locally as the
larger council has the scope to prioritise key issues when
residents demand it.
- Help Urban areas to stay very much in control of their town
through the proposed local boards. One Suffolk will be able to
reduce inequalities by balancing funding across the whole county.
Everyone can use the same high quality services no matter where
they live.
- Be the safest option: One Suffolk can make sure nothing is lost
as it falls between different areas.
Media contact:
Chris Lane, communications manager, tel: 01473 264399, mobile:
07710 407406, email:
chris.lane@comms.suffolkcc.gov.uk