Three council structure proposed

Three new unitary authorities in Suffolk are being proposed

Reorganisation of local government in Suffolk into three councils could save taxpayers up to £30m, proposals claim.

Separate councils for East Suffolk, West Suffolk and North Haven are being proposed to the Boundary Committee for England (BCE).

A two-council plan is currently the preferred BCE structure.

But new proposals for three unitary authorities taking over from district and county councils are being sent to the committee.

The three-council plan has been drawn up by Forest Heath, Bury St Edmunds and Waveney councils.

Their respective council leaders, Geoffrey Jaggard, John Griffiths and Mark Bee oppose one giant county-wide authority.

In a joint statement they said: "Our figures prove that true local democracy is affordable.

"Biggest is not always best - democracy has a price but our proposal shows East Suffolk, West Suffolk and North Haven will make the same significant savings year-on-year as the giant county option.

"We are convinced our residents want to keep decision-making local by making sure their council tax is invested in their own unique areas of Suffolk and not swallowed up by a remote and cumbersome unitary attempting to balance the whole county's needs.

"Our proposal means residents can escape the threat of all top-level decisions being taken by people miles away from them with very limited local knowledge, while also enjoying a real cut in costs."