Judy Terry is a marketing professional and a former local councillor in Suffolk.
There are currently six councils in Suffolk: county, district and borough, all responsible for different services and different areas, and the government wants to simplify the system, saving money and making services more financially sustainable.
In response, Suffolk County Council submitted proposals to create a Suffolk unitary council, delivering all public services. Following independent analysis by accounting firm, PwC, identifying savings of over £104 million in just five years and £26 million annually thereafter, Ministers have urged that the proposals for reorganisation be further developed ahead of the final plan being signed off in September.
Cllr. Richard Rout, the Cabinet Member for Devolution, says:
“It’s clear from the government’s feedback that our single unitary council for Suffolk best meets the criteria, and any alternatives will have to justify the risks of breaking up critical services like social care, and creating new council boundaries with smaller populations.
“All the evidence shows that one council for Suffolk is the only viable option to deliver significant savings that can be reinvested into frontline services. Breaking Suffolk into three authorities, as districts and Ipswich borough suggest, will cost taxpayers an additional £52 million, more than the current 50-year-old system, compared with the £104 million savings.”
Creating two or even three councils for Suffolk, including a Greater Ipswich, has been proposed by the five district and Ipswich borough councils. Having multiple councils would actually cost money, not save it. For example, creating three authorities would mean expanding Ipswich’s current boundaries to include areas like Felixstowe, Woodbridge and possibly even Needham Market, as well as the villages in between.
The PwC report has shown that a single unitary council wouldn’t incur any breakup costs over five years, whilst the financial cost of breaking up services into three councils would be £155 million, or £92 million for two councils, not to mention the risk to vulnerable people caused by the upheaval:
- Break up costs over five years: £155 million for three councils, £92m for two, compared with 0 for one
- Annual savings after five years: – £3 million for three councils, £9m for two, compared with £26m for one
- Savings in first five years: – £52 million for three councils, £12m for two, compared with £104m for one
- One off set up costs: £32 million for three councils, £26m for two, compared with £19m for one
With ambitions to use savings for further investment in frontline public services, benefiting communities and keeping council tax as low as possible, a Suffolk Unitary would reduce the bureaucracy, currently delaying decisions, which can adversely affect efficient management and procurement. It would also have responsibility for co-ordinating parks and leisure facilities, supporting town centres, school placements and travel, as well as street cleaning, waste management and social care.
It is hoped that a Suffolk Unitary would also have greater control over planning issues, in particular the expansion of solar farms and pylon routes – which Suffolk County Council has opposed, given the significant impact on prime agricultural land and the rural communities which have devoted their lives to quality food production. At present, Ministers can approve such applications ignoring local objections.
There is general agreement locally that there needs to be a comprehensive strategy for delivering green energy in Suffolk and across the wider region; – destroying historic landscapes not only affects farming, but tourism too – which is a major contributor to the local economy.
‘This isn’t just about money, it’s about people. A single council will absolutely be able to reflect and serve the whole of Suffolk, rural and urban, and our plans will clearly show how local priorities and residents’ voices can and will be central to decision making,’ adds Cllr. Rout.
‘If we’re going to create a truly sustainable and effective council structure for Suffolk, then one new council is not just the only viable option, but also the best one.’
Countering potential concerns about future community engagement, in finalising the proposals for a Suffolk Unitary, details on plans for neighbourhood based governance, and the impact on parish councils, will be addressed, with ideas for formal neighbourhood partnerships and area committees.
A Suffolk Unitary will also be committed to delivering meaningful engagement with public sector providers, including health and Police & Fire services, as well as local businesses and volunteer groups. Further economic development will be a priority, liaising with employers and colleges to identify skill shortages and essential training opportunities to meet demand, supporting people into good jobs.
Key to meeting all its objectives will be effective democratic representation, with the right number of councillors committed to effective local governance and decision making, listening and learning from residents.
There is a lot of talent in Suffolk, from engineering, construction and high tech, to farming and the Arts, as well as hospitality, retail, education, sport, social care, and the health-related professions. Independent businesses operate successfully alongside leading organisations, taking pride in their unique creativity, such as yacht building, to attract international custom.
Consequently, it is essential to encourage people from all parties across the age range, with varied qualifications, and experiences, and from different parts of the county, to stand for election next year. The results will undoubtedly prove interesting and challenging.
