Draft proposals for unitary local government in Suffolk – the impact on the Voluntary and Community Sector
On the 7th July, the Boundary Committee published its draft proposal for unitary local government in Suffolk (and Norfolk). It is consulting on two proposals for Suffolk (the first being their preferred option):
- The first is for two unitary councils: a North Haven unitary council, including Ipswich, Felixstowe and surrounding rural areas and the Shotley peninsular; and a Suffolk unitary council covering the remainder of the county, excluding Lowestoft. Lowestoft is proposed to move into Norfolk.
- The second proposal is for a single unitary Suffolk council excluding Lowestoft. Lowestoft is proposed to move into Norfolk.
Either of these options will mean that all the current Councils at County, District and Borough level will be dissolved and new unitary authorities created. It also implies that if either option is put forward, Lowestoft will move into the county of Norfolk.
What does this mean for you, your organisation and your client groups?
SAVO are encouraging you to think carefully now about the impact these proposals will have on your organisation. There may be changes to your service provision, your funding, implications for staffing, changes to your client group and their needs, the geographical area in which you work and your existing partnerships and relationships. Whilst 2010 seems a long way off now, SAVO are encouraging the Voluntary and Community Sector to start thinking about these changes and include these in your planning for the future.
You may conclude that boundary changes will have no impact on the way in which your organisation operates. Or you may decide that your organisation will need a radical change in the way you are structured and operate, for 2010. While we do not want organisations to worry unnecessarily or start to implement changes right now and before the final decision has been made, we do want you to be fully aware of the proposals and engaged in the process. We also want you to submit a viewpoint to the Boundary Committee to express any concerns, issues, agreements or disagreements that you have with the proposals. This affects EVERYONE who lives and works in Suffolk, with changes being made to services from education to recycling, social care to policing.
Timescales
Now - 26 September 2008
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Public consultation
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September to December 2008
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Review of feedback from public consultation on draft proposals and alterations considered by the Boundary Committee.
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December 2008
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Final proposal submitted to Secretary of State by the Boundary Committee
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Early 2009
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Decision by Secretary of State on the boundaries of the unitary authority/authorities
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April 2010
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New unitary authority/authorities in place (depending on decision made in early 2009)
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Consultation
The two options are now out for public consultation until 26 September. The Boundary Committee will then consider the responses and make its final recommendation to the Secretary of State in December.
Have Your Say
An event was held for the Voluntary and Community Sector on the 4th August, in which Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council set out their views and ‘pitches’. Initial Sector feedback from this event highlighted concerns with Lowestoft moving into Norfolk, issues around how local ‘voice’ would be heard and the need for support from the public sector during the change-period. Look out for other events that are taking place around Suffolk.
SAVO are encouraging the Voluntary and Community Sector, and individual residents to take part in the consultation and express your views to:
The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW, or email
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by 26 September 2008.
SAVO would also like to collect your views to ensure we can give a balanced view from the Sector in our strategic work with the public authorities. Please email them to:
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or write to:
Laura Hack, SAVO 43a Woodbridge Road East, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5QN
If you would like support in putting together and submitting your response, a dedicated staff member at Suffolk County Council can help. Contact Richard Catherall 01473 260869 or 07850924756 or email
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You can see all of the draft proposals (and responses to the structural review so far), here:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/suffolk-structural-review
Each of the pitches are available from these links:
North Haven proposal: www.unitarynews.com
Single Suffolk proposal: www.suffolk.gov.uk/yourcouncil, phone: 08456 066 067
