Council overwhelmingly backs multiple unitaries for Suffolk
Two or three unitary councils are best placed to deliver tailored services and protect local democracy, according to councillors at Mid Suffolk District Council.
Councillors overwhelmingly supported an interim plan developed jointly by all five of Suffolk’s district and borough councils that would see the creation of either two or three unitary authorities to deliver all council services for residents across manageable geographic areas.
They agreed that a multiple authority approach is the only way to ensure the differing needs of Suffolk’s diverse communities can be met effectively and efficiency – and that local people continue to have a say in decisions that matter to them.
As part of the Government’s English Devolution White paper, councils nationally have been asked to look at reorganisation of local government, which will include disbanding county, district and borough councils and their services being delivered by newly created unitary authorities.
Suffolk County Council has stated its preference for a single ‘mega-council’ delivering services for the whole of Suffolk – but district councillors heard today how an authority covering such a vast rural population and geographical area would be too large to work effectively and too remote for residents to be heard. A ‘one size fits all’ approach fails to meet the needs of Suffolk’s varied communities.
Cllr Andy Mellen (pictured), Mid Suffolk District Council leader, said: “At the end of this process we need something better to emerge for our residents and our communities. We need something new that can last long into the future – not a short-term fix. There is an opportunity here for wider public service reform, so that services like health, policing, justice and others can eventually be aligned and delivered on the same geographies.
“But we also need councils which are anchored in communities that people understand, and which are the right size – large enough to be resilient, but small enough so that people can connect with them and feel that this is their council.”
Seconding the report, the leader of the new Mid Suffolk Independents group, Cllr John Whitehead, said: “Our county council has eagerly embraced the creation of one mega unitary council covering a vast and diverse geography.
“The creation of a single wide unitary for Suffolk would simply be the rebranding of the existing Suffolk County Council model, whilst bolting on district services. The sensible solution must surely be to devolve the universal services currently provided by Suffolk County Council to new, enlarged and even more cost-efficient Super Districts.
“Two or three unitary councils for Suffolk based on the district council ethos of universal service provision would create a superior solution to service delivery whilst retaining local democracy and local oversight.”
Recent data from the District Councils Network* calls into question the level of savings that can be realised through the creation of a single county unitary authority without ravaging services.
Instead, a multi unitary authority approach would provide:
- Cost effective and high-quality services for Suffolk residents
- Long term financial sustainability
- Economic growth and support to local industry
- Stronger democratic representation, community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment
- Governance and support systems which can adapt to future aspirations and sustainable growth
- Ambitions to drive progress, innovation, and long-term success
- Structures to support and enable thriving communities and economies.
Ipswich Borough Council executive and West Suffolk Council have already approved the multiple unitary approach, with East Suffolk Council also meeting this evening. Babergh District Council discusses the proposals tomorrow (Thursday).
If agreed by all, the report will then be submitted to Government on Friday, but does not constitute a final decision – only initial thoughts and preferences. The districts and borough councils then have further time to consider and develop the best option, seeking feedback from residents and communities, ahead of the final business case being submitted in September.
