Lower-tier council leaders in Suffolk have published local government reorganisation proposals for establishing three unitary authorities despite claims they are ‘unworkable'.
The three proposed unitary councils would each cover a region anchored by one of Suffolk's largest towns: Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft.
District and borough leaders argued the proposal met the Government's guidance that new council areas should have a ‘clear rationale', were ‘sensible economic areas' and have ‘sensible geographies'. They also claimed the model could unlock £34m in annual savings and would be ‘big enough to deliver, local enough to care'.
In a joint statement, they said: ‘It offers a balance between strong councillors' leadership and genuine local delivery, ensuring our towns, villages, urban centres and coastlines, and the communities and businesses within these areas, all get the attention they deserve.'
The three-council proposal is opposed by Suffolk CC, which supports a single unitary authority.
Suffolk CC's cabinet member for local government reform, Richard Rout, described the districts' proposal as ‘chaotic, confusing and, ultimately, unworkable'.
He said: ‘What they have brought forward just means three sets of salaries and the same old story from local government.'
