The timetable, deadlines and other significant dates for the
review of local government in Suffolk are set out below in
chronological order:
- December 2007 - local government Minister John
Healey announced 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 Suffolk and Norfolk.
- February 2008, the BCE announced the terms of
reference given by the Minister for its review of Suffolk and
Norfolk.
- 3 March to 11 April 2008 - concepts produced
for new unitary authorities.
- 14 April to 4 July 2008 - concepts considered
by the BCE and further information requested from local authorities
and other stakeholders.
- 7 July 2008 -
first set of draft proposals published by the
BCE.
- 7 July to 26 September 2008 - Consultation on
draft proposals, including boundaries. Affordability information
provided by local authorities.
- 29 September to 31 December 2008 - Stage 3
information considered by the BCE and further information requested
as necessary.
- 31 December 2008 - original deadline for the
BCE to provide its recommendations to the Secretary of State.
- 13 February 2009 - first extended deadline for
the BCE to provide its recommendations to the Secretary of
State.
- 19 March 2009 - second extended deadline
for the BCE to provide its recommendations to the Secretary of
State.
- 19 March 2009 -
second set of draft proposals published by the
BCE.
- 19 March to 14 May 2009 - public consultation
on BCE's final recommendations.
- 10 July 2009 -
High Court ruling on the review.
- 14 July 2009 -
Government puts review on hold.
- 2 December 2009 -
Court of Appeal rules in favour of the Boundary
Committee and sets aside the High Court decision
handed down on 10 July 2009.
- 3 December 2009 - Secretary of State sets new
deadline of 8 December 2009 for the BCE to give him its final
recommendations.
- 7 December 2009 -
final recommendations published by the BCE and
deadline for comments announced.
- 10 February 2010 - the Government announces
that it had been unable to decide whether to introduce unitary
councils in Suffolk as there was 'not a consensus on a unitary
solution' for Suffolk. It calls on all the Suffolk councils, with
local MPs, stakeholders and through a 'county constitutional
convention' to reach a consensus.
- 26 May 2010 - the new Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, calls a halt to the
consultation on proposed changes to Suffolk stops all restructuring
plans for Suffolk.