Step one is already complete, and all local authorities in the three counties have submitted their concepts.
The Boundary Committee is reviewing Norfolk and Suffolk together, which covers the county council and seven districts in each county, ie, 16 local authorities.
Its members are also simultaneously reviewing the county council and eight districts in Devon (see The MJ, 17 April).
The secretary of state's details of her requests to the Boundary Committee refers to whether there could be alternative unitary proposals for Ipswich and the whole or part of the surrounding Suffolk area that will, in aggregate, better meet the five criteria set out in her original invitation.
She has also asked the Boundary Committee to consider options which include Great Yarmouth and Norfolk. These requests are mirrored in the approach for Norfolk and Devon.
The eight major local authorities in Suffolk have met on a number of occasions and agreed four basic options which shall be considered by the Boundary Committee. They are:
Suffolk is a very large county geographically, and Ipswich, in the south of the county, is by far the largest urban centre.
Suffolk CC has resolved to support option one, ie, a single unitary county. Ipswich has cross-party support for option four, ie, three unitary authorities – the west, east and Greater Ipswich.
The three-unitary option has the support of some of the other districts, and, we believe, reflects the sense of place and natural communities of Suffolk.
As far as Ipswich is concerned, the committee wishes to explore an extended boundary and, with Ipswich being one of the fastest-growing urban centres in Britain, the natural boundaries of Ipswich extend well beyond the current boundary. This situation is closely mirrored in both Norwich and Exeter. The pace of growth in Ipswich continues to accelerate.
A total of 50,000 homes with a population of around 130,000 will have grown to 70,000 homes with a population of at least 170,000 by 2020. This is on the current boundary, but there has been rapid growth on the edges of Ipswich, which takes the urban population to around 190,000, with more than 310,000 within 12 miles of the centre of Ipswich.
And the forecast of growth does not take account of the new university, which opened in October 2007.
There are three basic options relating to boundary increase, and these will be firmed up over the next few weeks. But, basically, all of them would fall within the east/west and Greater Ipswich model for Suffolk. They range from a minimal extension to including the Haven Gateway area north of Ipswich and South Suffolk.
Obviously, having only three new unitary councils replacing eight existing local authorities will result in economies but, at the same time, with strong community identity and leadership which is clear and accountable.
The secretary of state's final decision will be made at the beginning of next year, for implementation on 1 April 2010.
This is a tight timescale, but the will is there to deliver unitary government and help ensure Suffolk is fit for business, and the three new unitaries can meet the challenges of the growth agenda we face.
So, by early July, the public and stakeholders will be consulted on the preferred options by the Boundary Committee. The end is in sight!
James Hehir is chief executive of Ipswich BC
