Mid Suffolk District Council has confirmed at its full council meeting this evening, its support for Local Government reform and the establishment of a single unitary council to serve all Suffolk people.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Tim Passmore, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council said; “Suffolk needs strong and capable local government. Splitting the county up into different chunks will not let this happen.  Local communities need to know that their council is shouting to get recognition for them at a national level, and also work with them to make decisions about their own communities. It is bonkers to even contemplate the splitting up of essential services for people. Suffolk needs Ipswich and Ipswich needs Suffolk.

He added; “I note that the councils of St Edmundsbury, Forest Heath and Waveney has formed an alliance to put forward a proposal for three unitaries which effectively recreate power bases for themselves. This proposal has already been rejected by the Boundary Committee, cannot be financially evaluated without the involvement of Mid Suffolk and contradicts their claims of support for a rural unitary council.” 

The council has consistently supported radical reform so that the public can benefit from an end to duplication, investment in services at a local level and a strategic approach to public services.

Andrew Good, Chief Executive of Mid Suffolk District Council said; “There is very little appetite for creating a separate Ipswich-focused unitary council. Whatever is said, the 47 rural communities proposed to transfer to such a new body, would be marginalised. Dividing the county this way or any other way, will be divisive and sow the seeds of social and political discord. That’s what happens when you have artificial boundaries and people approaching serious public matters from a geographical perspective.”

-ENDS-

Media contact:

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