The timetable, deadlines and other significant dates for the
review of local government in Suffolk are set out below in
chronological order:
- Stage 1 - 3 March to 11 April 2008 - concepts
produced for new unitary authorities.
- Stage 2 - 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.
- Stage 3 - 7 July to 26 September 2008 -
Consultation on draft proposals, including boundaries.
Affordability information provided by local authorities.
- Stage 4 - 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.
- 15 July 2009 - third extended deadline
(pre 10 July High Court ruling) for the BCE to provide
final recommendations to the Secretary of State.
- 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.
- 19 January 2010 - deadline for comments to the
Secretary of State.
On 10 February 2010, the Government announced
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.
The Government has called on all the Suffolk councils, with local
MPs, stakeholders and through a 'county constitutional convention'
to reach a consensus. At present there are no further details on
the Government's intentions.