TWO OPTIONS FOR SUFFOLK COUNCIL
| Published: 29th July 2008 13:51 |
Councillor Jeremy Pembroke, Leader of Suffolk County Council, makes clear there are two options for Suffolk - a 'two unitary' and a 'single unitary' Council. Below we have published a letter from Councillor Pembroke.
Sir,
Please can I make absolutely clear to anyone interested in the Boundary Committee's review of local government in Suffolk that there are two options to consider? It's important to understand this so we can move the argument about the future of councils on to the important issues.
Several people in recent columns have suggested that there is only one option possible, and only one option upon which the Boundary Committee will consider views. That is not true. What is true is that government guidelines only allow for one preferred option to be put forward for public consultation. But the Boundary Committee has made clear it sees 'merit' in the proposal for a single council for Suffolk (albeit without Lowestoft).
The Boundary Committee has asked Suffolk County Council to coordinate producing further detailed information on this option for them, and has made it clear that the public are invited to comment on both proposals. So let me be as clear as I can: there are two options for councils in Suffolk on the table - a 'two unitary' option (an Ipswich and Felixstowe council and a rural Suffolk unitary), and a single unitary Suffolk option.
To imply anything else is not only wrong but will mislead people into believing that they have no part to play in the democratic debate on this very important issue. I believe a single council for Suffolk - instead of our existing eight councils - is best. We need now to encourage a full democratic consultation on the future of services in Suffolk, and I would implore everyone to have their say. Please write to: The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW or email reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk. For more information please visit the county council website at www.suffolk.gov.uk/yourcouncil
Yours faithfully
Councillor Jeremy Pembroke, Leader of Suffolk County Council.
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