Reform Suffolk Campaign.

A stronger ipswich, a stronger suffolk.  

a bold and sensible proposal for reform of local government in Suffolk (full details below).

We are calling for:

1. One Shared Service Group for the entire county, delivering all county and district services. It reduces duplication because it involves just one service provider for Suffolk, instead of one county council, two super-districts, two districts and one borough (each with conflicting priorities and overlapped services).

2. Voters will gain more control because critically the service group will supply to three democratically elected, equal sized executive authorities; based on historic & geopolitical commonality: East Suffolk, West Suffolk and Orwell (Ipswich to Felixstowe). Each authority will have around 250,000 population, recognizing areas with shared historic and future interdependence and needs. Meaning that local government is more efficient, accountable and very much more “local”.

Suffolk County Council is facing a further £58m shortfall. The Local Government Association predicts a £5.8bn shortfall in nationwide budgets by 2020. As of January 2020, the national debt stands at £1.8 trillion, local services have been cut and squeezed at an alarming rate. The economic and social impact of COVID-19 dramatically escalates the challenge.

Our proposed structure can substantially save money. It can limit community charges, long term. It will provide a stronger, balanced and fairer platform for future Devolution in Suffolk (and existing shared county wide responsibilities and interests such as PCC, CCG, LEP, etc).

The campaign proposals are not a power grab but a power share, restoring power to you. It ensures that power is shared fairly and with balance to ALL in Suffolk, creating local government fit for the 21st century. Ensuring that decisions are made for and by local people. 

This page created: December, 2016. Last Amended/Updated: April 2020