Reflecting on the Unitary Ipswich decision (or rather the lack of it), I was surprised that in the wide coverage the option of a merger of all Suffolk local authorities was not mentioned as one of the choices Suffolk could make. As a member of the Suffolk Strategic Partnership Board and a keen observer of the divisive effect of local government reorganisation on two occasions, it seems to me that the potential for best serving Suffolk’s people is not met by internal bickering over boundaries. Reorganisation, whilst exercising political minds, certainly seems of little interest to the general public wherever they live (urban, market town or rural Suffolk). Despite this lack of interest, it is very important – financially, environmentally, economically and socially. The core question should always be what is best for Suffolk
We have in the Suffolk Strategic Partnership and the Community Strategy, a framework and common purpose for building a powerful collaboration. Although on a larger scale than most, merging all into a new Suffolk local authority, would offer strong enablement of solutions to Suffolk’s needs – Community, Economic, Green and so on. Structurally we would have to ensure a much more localised way of responding to the particular needs of communities – delivering the ‘districtness’ or ‘boroughness’ of places – but this isn’t beyond the ken of Suffolk and its leaders. My personal starting point is a belief that ‘Suffolk’ is much more than a brand – it is an important descriptor of place, people, culture, prosperity (as richness of life) and community.
Whatever the new shape of local-government-things-to-come, it will require a shift from some current entrenchments. From where I stand, looking over the parapet of those trenches, what I see is opportunity. I find the increasingly used term of Suffolk as a ‘mosaic’ of communities used to conjure up an image of fragmentation – what I see is a symphony of blended diversity worthy of the Albert Hall – and one that would sound even better if the instruments were tuned to the same pitch!
This is a personal view, rather than an organisational position – what do you think the future of suffolk’s local government should look like?
Dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century, I formerly launch my blog. My understanding is that Blogging is a bit like writing a Diary, but allowing other people to peek in – so:
It has to be interesting
I’m not allowed slander or libel!
It might (or might not) encourage response
If really successful it gets converted into a book or a TV series
My only guarantee is to fulfil one of these criteria – and I’ll let you be the Judge.
Here goes –
I formally proclaim one of my key personal objectives in my work with SAVO and beyond: I want to help release the latent potential of Suffolk ’s people. By this I mean, I’d like more of us to take on more of the joys and responsibilities of shaping the County. This means more people wanting to contribute rather than take, valuing their community and recognising they have a responsibility to help it grow and develop. It is too obvious to state that volunteering is one litmus test for this, and I think for some this all encompassing phrase is off putting. It sounds a terrific commitment, it sounds very worthy, it sounds time-consuming and it sounds as though it will cost money. And I guess volunteering is both all this – and none of this. Therefore, my focus shifts to Citizenship – but stays only a moment as this sounds even worse! It sounds a bit too Govenmenty (Yes, I do invent words!) , maybe even too American. The next option, Neighbourly, is warm, cuddly but also could have overtones of sticking a nose in where it isn’t wanted.
No, scrub that last thought, let me go for it: Suffolk ’s people ought to be more neighbourly. There, I’ve nailed my first Blog flag to the mast!
As diaries are often short, I suppose my Blog ought to be as well. So I’ll finish with a question for you, my reader: What ought we to do about this?
The Blog 
