After Ipswich Borough Council
failed to convince the Government of its case to be awarded unitary
status on its existing boundaries, the local government Minister
John Healey announced in December 2007 that he would be asking the
Boundary Committee for England (BCE) to review the structure
of local government in the whole of Suffolk with a view to
introducing new unitary style local government in the Suffolk and
Norfolk.
In February 2008, the BCE announced the terms of reference of
its review of Suffolk and Norfolk, which had been given to it by
the Minister.
Terms of reference
The Government’s terms of reference ask the BCE to consider
whether there is an alternative unitary structure to that proposed
in the original Ipswich bid for unitary status that meets the
following five criteria:
- Affordability.
- Cross section of support.
- Strategic leadership.
- Neighbourhood empowerment.
- Value for money.
Apart from considering whether there could be an alternative
proposal for a single tier of local government, for the whole or
part of Suffolk, the BCE must also consider the potential for
cross-border options involving the whole or part of Great Yarmouth
- the so-called ‘Yartoft’ option.
Timetable for the Review of Suffolk
- Stage 1 - March 3 to April 11 - Concepts for
new unitary authorities relating to the five criteria above.
- Stage 2 - April 14 to July 4 - The
BCE considers concepts and seeks information from local
authorities and other stakeholders.
- July 7 - draft proposals published by the
BCE.
- Stage 3 - July 7 to September 26 -
Consultation on draft proposals, including boundaries.
Affordability information provided by local authorities.
- Stage 4 - September 29 to December 19 - Stage
3 information considered by the BCE. Further information requested
as necessary.
- After December 19 - advice provided to Secretary of
State by the BCE.
The Secretary of State will allow four weeks for direct
representation regarding her decision - probably in early
February 2009. She can choose to accept the BCE’s advice,
or can ask for more information, or can reject the advice and so
leave things exactly as they currently are.
If the option recommended by the BCE is accepted by the
Government, it is assumed that any new unitary councils will take
effect from April 2010.
Key local factors likely to influence the Review
- Sense of place - the unique characteristics
that make an area (or part of an area) special.
- Communities of interest - communities that
have mutual interest or things in common, eg coastal
communities
- Neighbourhood empowerment - local people
influencing decisions that affect their lives, including the
ability to shape service provision; engaging all sections of the
community; clear and accountable community engagement arrangements
which empower the frontline councillors to champion their
community.
Our key principles for any future unitary council
Suffolk Coastal believes that the consideration of any unitary
structure in Suffolk should take account of the following basic
principles:
- The new authority should be large enough to be economic and
efficient, yet small and local enough to relate to and work with
local communities. It should thereby be able to deliver effective
strategic leadership.
- We should be designing for the long-term future delivery of
efficient, locally provided and run services, not just for
now.
- Enable decision-making for local people by local people with a
significant role for town and parish councils.
- Be committed to working effectively in partnership with other
local authorities and agencies, such as on commissioning and
delivery of services.
- Be big enough to work effectively at the regional and national
level.
- Be able to work effectively with business and the private
sector, both locally and nationally.
- Have sufficient scale to respond to current and future
challenges.
- Recognise that there are economies, and dis-economies of
scale.
- Communicate effectively with communities and
partners.