Sutton parish boundary review

New parish for Sutton Heath created

Full Council approved the creation of a new parish for Sutton Heath at its meeting on 26 January 2012. The community governance review order was made on 14 February 2012 and the new parish came into being on 1 April 2012.

Nine parish councillors were elected without contest for the new parish in March 2012.

Background to the review

Suffolk Coastal District Council received a petition from residents in Sutton proposing the creation of a new parish for the area known as 'Sutton Heath'. This meant that the Council had to carry out a Community Governance Review, which considered whether the creation of a parish council is supported by local residents.

On 28 April 2011 the terms of reference and timetable for a review of Sutton parish were approved by Full Council. Details of the background to the review can be found in the report CL05-11 considered at that meeting:

• Report CL05-11, terms of reference and timetable approved by Full Council (new window)

Proposed option for a new parish

The proposed option was to create a new parish and parish council to serve the community of Sutton Heath. The petitioners put forward that the needs of the different communities would be best served by creating a separate parish for the essentially 'urban' area of Sutton Heath and rural parish of Sutton.

• Map showing proposed boundary of the new parish (new window PDF 2.85MB)

• Sutton boundary review briefing note (new window PDF 35KB) - gives factual answers to the questions that have been asked by residents.

Initial consultation took place between 9 May and 9 September 2011. Letters and a questionaire were sent to every household within Sutton parish, asking residents to vote Yes or No and provide any additional comments they wish to be considered. Businesses, public and voluntary organisations and adjacent parish councils were also consulted.

Draft recommendations were considered and approved by Full Council at its meeting on Thursday 29 September 2011. You can view the report and appendices by following the links below:

• Draft recommendations of the Council on the outcome of the review (new window PDF 37KB)
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• Appendix A - map showing extent of proposed new parish area (new window PDF 215KB)
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• Appendix B - list of comments received from residents (new window PDF 38KB)

Anyone making representations during the initial consultation was invited to comment on the draft recommendations. This second phase of consultation ran from Monday 10 October until Friday 9 December 2011 and no further comments were received.

New parish approved and community governance review order made

Full Council approved the creation of a new parish for Sutton Heath at its meeting on 26 January 2012.

• Reports and minutes for Full Council meeting on 26 January 2012 (new window)

You can view the community governance review order made on  confirming the creation of the new parish for Sutton Heath:

• The Suffolk Coastal District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) (Sutton) Order 2012 (new window PDF 902KB)

The new parish will come into being on 1 April 2012.

A copy of the order is also available for inspection at reception at our Melton Hill offices during office hours.

Contact details

If you would like further details about this review please contact Tracy King on 01394 444270 or Sarah Hyde 01394 444332 or email reviews@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk