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Three district councils in Suffolk have united to fight the Boundary Committee's unitary plans for the area. Forest Heath DC, St Edmundsbury BC and Waveney DC have put forward a joint bid which also includes trying to keep Lowestoft in the county. The districts want to alter the plans for a unitary Ipswich and Felixtowe – or North Haven – and a ‘rural Suffolk' unitary covering the rest of the county, except Lowestoft. Instead, they have suggested three unitaries – North Haven, West Suffolk, and East Suffolk, including Lowestoft. The three leaders, Cllr Geoffrey Jaggard, from Forest Heath; John Griffiths, from St Edmundsbury; and Mark Bee, from Waveney, issued a joint statement claiming, ‘We don't want "big government" trying to take over our towns and villages – that's simply not the Suffolk way. ‘We urge the Boundary Committee to consider our proposals, which would keep us local and in touch with our local people, while also being much more accountable to them.' They also pledged to cut costs and save taxpayers' cash. The districts have launched a campaign website at www.keepuslocal.net. Suffolk CC also wants to keep Lowestoft in the county. The Boundary Committee has agreed to allow the county to produce a financial case for a unitary Suffolk including the town, as well as one excluding it. Suffolk leader, Jeremy Pembroke, said residents and businesses ‘have been vocal in expressing their wish to remain in Suffolk'. The county, alongside Waveney DC, has launched a postcard campaign with the slogan: ‘Love it or lose it – Lowestoft: Suffolk forever'.

Title

WHITEHALL

Suffolk districts to fight against unitary plans

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