07 Jul 2008
The Boundary Committee for England has published draft proposals for patterns of unitary local government in Norfolk and Suffolk, and has called for people in the counties to set out their views on these proposals.
The proposal for Suffolk is for two unitary authorities – one covering Ipswich and Felixstowe and one covering the rest of the county without Lowestoft. In Norfolk, the Committee proposes a single unitary authority which would cover the whole county and include Lowestoft.
The Committee considers its draft proposal for each county likely to achieve the outcomes on which the government has asked for advice (affordability; value for money services; neighbourhood empowerment and engagement; broad cross section of support; and strategic leadership).
However, the Committee also saw merit in other patterns of unitary local government in both counties. In Suffolk, we thought there was merit in a Suffolk unitary authority covering the whole county except for Lowestoft. People may wish to consider what we’ve said about these other patterns when they write to us telling us what they think.
In Norfolk, the Committee thought there was merit in linking Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Norwich in a unitary authority, the rest of Norfolk would form another unitary authority. We also saw merit in a ‘doughnut’ pattern, with one authority for Norwich on expanded boundaries and one for the remainder of Norfolk which would also include Lowestoft.
Max Caller, Chair of the Boundary Committee for England, said: “These proposals take a fresh look at local government in Suffolk and Norfolk. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has asked us for our advice on unitary local government in both counties. Your responses to the draft proposal will inform the advice we give so tell us what you think. More importantly, tell us whyyou think that.
“We’ve spent a lot of time in the county talking to individuals and councils, and we think these proposals have the potential to offer people in Suffolk and Norfolk stronger local government capable of providing better and more efficient services to meet the new challenges that will face them.”