The rules laid down by the Government to the Boundary Committee
for England (BCE), in December 2007, meant that arguing for no
change was not an option during the Review.
As a result, each council in Suffolk put forward a preferred
concept of how local government should be organised in the future.
Suffolk Coastal’s preferred concept for an East Suffolk Unitary
Council, as one of three unitary councils in Suffolk, was jointly
developed with Waveney District Council.
You can find out more about the different concepts proposed by
visiting the
Boundary Committee for England website (new
window).
On 11 April 2008, the
joint concept for an East Suffolk Unitary
Council (new window PDF 1MB) developed by Suffolk Coastal
and Waveney was submitted to the BCE.
On 9 May 2008, Suffolk Coastal and Waveney gave a
joint response (new window PDF 1.4MB) to a
series of questions raised by the BCE following its receipt of
all the concepts proposed for Suffolk.
This joint response opens with a letter from the Leaders of
Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Councils in which they outline some of
the key future challenges facing East Suffolk, and their vision for
the new unitary council.
A
briefing note (new window PDF 50KB), also
produced in May 2008, summarises the Review and the East Suffolk
option.
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.