On 7 July 2008, the Boundary Committee for England
(BCE) published its draft proposals for the future shape of
Suffolk and Norfolk and how unitary councils could be
introduced.
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The BCE proposed two new unitary councils, one covering
Ipswich, Felixstowe, Kesgrave and 19 other parishes in Suffolk
Coastal, and one council covering the rest of Suffolk, minus
Lowestoft which would become part of a new Norfolk council.
As an alternative, the BCE proposed one council covering all of
Suffolk but minus Lowestoft:
The Leader of Suffolk Coastal was strongly critical of the draft
proposals, complaining that it squandered a golden opportunity to
provide better, more efficient services that engaged with and
served local communities. The Council issued the
following press
release: What a carve up! Leader slams reorganisation
proposals.
The business cases considered by the BCE
You can view the business cases and affordability workbooks for
the BCE's draft unitary options on the BCE, North Haven and Suffolk
County Council websites by following the links below:
A number of the Suffolk Chief Finance Officers responsible for
'signing off' the business cases to the BCE expressed a range of
reservations about the affordability process. These are outlined in
the letter below sent to all town and parish councils in the
district by Councillor Ray Herring, Leader of the Council.
Suffolk Coastal also urged town and parish councils to
lobby the Government to register their concern about how the review
has been conducted. A press release
Town and
parishes urged to lobby Government about LGR was issued
and a
special postcard (new window PDF 340KB)
produced, which people could send to the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local
Government.