AN east Suffolk without Felixstowe and Kesgrave is as unthinkable as Lowestoft being in Norfolk, according to a community leader.
AN east Suffolk without Felixstowe and Kesgrave is as unthinkable as Lowestoft being in Norfolk, according to a community leader.
Suffolk Coastal council is continuing to press its case for unitary councils for Ipswich, east and west Suffolk, even though the proposal put forward is for an Ipswich/Felixstowe unitary and one to serve the rest of Suffolk, minus Lowestoft.
“Five of Suffolk's seven district and borough councils have called for there to be three councils, rather than two, as the best way to provide value for money services that are locally accountable to their communities if unitary government is introduced,” said Suffolk Coastal leader Ray Herring.
“All of us are also united in demanding that Lowestoft should not be moved into Norfolk.
“What we have not been able to agree between us is the future shape of the unitary council around Ipswich.
“As the representatives of the communities of Felixstowe and Kesgrave we better than anyone know these areas. We know that they would be best served by being part of East Suffolk, rather than becoming satellites of the aspiring city of Ipswich.
“We have revisited the Ipswich boundaries and have made suggestions that we believe are sensible and workable but because of our local knowledge we know that communities like Felixstowe and Kesgrave should be at the heart of East Suffolk, not an addition to Ipswich.
“An East Suffolk without Felixstowe and Kesgrave as part of it is as unthinkable as Lowestoft being in Norfolk.
“It may at the moment seem that is only those who live in this area who recognise that but I trust the Boundary Committee for England to be open-minded enough to see the strength of our argument, if unitary councils must be introduced.”
People have until September 26 to make their views known to the Boundary Committee - the Review Officer (Norfolk/Suffolk review), The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1p 2HW.
Should Ipswich and Felixstowe been joined under one council? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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