Today, (Thursday 19 March 2009), the Boundary Committee has announced further proposals for consultation.

They have announced that they will be consulting further on the following options:

• A Suffolk unitary authority compromising the existing county of Suffolk; and
• An Ipswich and Felixstowe unitary authority and a Rural Suffolk unitary authority compromising the rest of the county of Suffolk 
   

These further draft proposals are the same as the two proposals that the Boundary Committee published in July 2008, except that they are now proposing that Lowestoft is retained in Suffolk under both proposals. 

The Boundary Committee feels that these proposals meet the Secretary of State’s criteria for unitary authorities.  Now these option have been announced, the Boundary Committee will be consulting with people in Suffolk to ask their views. This will take place until 14 May 2009. 

Reacting to the announcement, Councillor Tim Passmore, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the Boundary Committee has listened to what people in Suffolk have said. The residents in Lowestoft wanted to remain in Suffolk and that is what will happen. People from across Suffolk have shown their support for the One Suffolk proposal, and that is what the Boundary Committee has put forward for further consultation. Having lived in Suffolk all my life, I’m passionate about keeping Suffolk whole.

“Mid Suffolk District Council has always believed that one council, providing services for all residents in Suffolk, will bring an enormous amount of benefits. In this current economic climate, it offers the most cost effective solution for Local Government in Suffolk. Local Government needs reform to end duplication. Government knows that many small District Councils are not sustainable in their current form, we need to change now
and not have any further delays in this process. This is really one of the only ways we will see significant savings for the local tax payer.”

To view a copy of the Boundary Committee report, visit the Boundary Committee website.

-ENDS-

Media contact:

Vicky Smy, Senior Communications Officer, tel: 01449 724850, email: vicky.smy@midsuffolk.gov.uk