New proposal for local government

Suffolk could be controlled by three local authorities if the government's Boundary Committee proposals are accepted.

The proposal is for two unitary authorities, one for Ipswich and Felixstowe, and the other covering the rest of the county except Lowestoft.

Lowestoft would split away from Suffolk and become part of the Norfolk local government structure.

There is currently a two-tier county and district structure in Suffolk.

This is the county council plus seven district councils - Babergh, Forest Heath, Ipswich, Mid-Suffolk, St Edmundsbury, Suffolk Coastal and Waveney.

Four of the eight councils had originally backed proposals for three unitaries in East, West and Ipswich, while two backed an East-West split.

'Hare-brained' proposal

The Boundary Committee for England (BCE) said on Monday there was also merit in a proposal for a Suffolk unitary authority covering the whole county except for Lowestoft.

Suffolk Coastal District Council has described the proposals as "hare-brained".

Council leader Ray Herring said: "Our proposal would have seen Felixstowe in the same council as Lowestoft which made far more sense as they both face similar coastal defence and regeneration challenges.

"Now we have the ridiculous prospect of three different councils managing our county's coastal defences."

Waveney District Council Leader Mark Bee said: "A whole range of options and ideas were put to the BCE by people who understand Suffolk, understand Waveney and understand how services should be delivered to these communities.

"And yet, the BCE has ignored everything we have told them to produce a messy nonsense

"I said six months ago that the annexing of Lowestoft to Norfolk was a very real possibility and we simply will not stand for it."

However, Councillor Tim Passmore, Mid Suffolk District Council leader, said in a joint statement from his district and the county council: "I am very pleased that our joint bid is one of the two options being consulted upon.

'Feelings ignored'

"I believe 'One Suffolk' offers the best chance of reducing council tax, and provides the strongest voice for Suffolk - and a stronger voice means more clout with central government, and more money coming in to Suffolk to improve services for local people".

St Edmundsbury's Cabinet and senior managers said they were "extremely surprised" by the proposals.

Council leader John Griffiths, said: "If implemented, this would seem to ignore the feelings of our local residents and does not present a solution for West Suffolk.

"We need to look at the proposal carefully - this would be a completely new council and we need to ensure that whatever is created is a solution that reflects West Suffolk's priorities and aspirations.

David Ruffley, Conservative MP for Bury St Edmunds, said: "This is a truly bizarre decision - I have been opposed to this costly and unnecessary reorganisation of local government from the outset."

The Boundary Committee will seek the public's views on the proposals with a deadline of 26 September 2008.

The committee will make final recommendations to the Secretary of State by the end of this year.