Unitary Councils

THE second round of consultation on the Local Government Review only has a few weeks left and after reading various letters from other council leaders in Suffolk, I wanted to write and give a view from Mid Suffolk District Council.

THE second round of consultation on the Local Government Review only has a few weeks left and after reading various letters from other council leaders in Suffolk, I wanted to write and give a view from Mid Suffolk District Council.

At our full council meeting on April 23, we reaffirmed our support for a single council covering the whole of Suffolk. Although we did not ask for the review, we need to make the best of it to ensure that everyone in Suffolk, particular in Mid Suffolk, gets the best deal. I believe the proposal for one council covering the whole of Suffolk is the only option on the table that keeps Suffolk united.

Some councils may have you believe that two or three councils, covering the county, are best. We do not support this. We believe that the council tax payer will only win with the One Suffolk proposal. A single council will be able to drive efficiency and end wasteful duplication. One Suffolk will also give the best value for money in the current economic recession.

Residents must remember that unitary councils are not new and that around 60pc of residents in England already have services delivered to them by unitary councils.

Some people have said that one council will be too big and that local voices will not be heard. This is not true. We are adamant that we will continue to work with town and parish councils and our partners, so that the local focus is improved even further.

I urge people to write to the Boundary Committee and support One Suffolk, the only option that would be cheaper and more efficient for Suffolk. Let's keep Suffolk united!

TIM PASSMORE

Leader

Mid Suffolk District Council