IPSWICH could be set for an Orwellian future after members of the public gave the thumbs up to naming a new authority for the area after Suffolk's landmark river.
IPSWICH could be set for an Orwellian future after members of the public gave the thumbs up to naming a new authority for the area after Suffolk's landmark river.
Following an Evening Star web poll the name Orwell came out on top as the preferred name for a new authority including Ipswich, Felixstowe and the Shotley peninsular.
It polled a massive 40.5 per cent of votes with 319 people choosing it as the best moniker, narrowly piping the current working title North Haven which got 276 votes (35.1pc).
Another popular choice is the light-hearted name Tractorland which gained a creditable 16.8 pc of the total (132 votes).
John Carnall, deputy leader of Ipswich borough, said: “Clearly as a new council we need a new name which hopefully will give an identity to the whole Ipswich, Felixstowe and Shotley area.
“Personally I think Orwell is as good as any because it does link those areas.”
Meanwhile Babergh councillors are being recommended to back plans for the district to be split and included in two unitary authorities.
The eastern part of Babergh, including the Shotley peninsular, Brantham, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary, Stratford St Mary, Sproughton and Pinewood, would become part of the Ipswich-based authority.
District councillors at their meeting on September 2 will be asked to recommend that Hadleigh, which the Boundary Committee proposed should be included in the new Suffolk rural unitary council, becomes part of the Ipswich-Felixstowe council.
The rest of Babergh - including Sudbury, Long Melford and Lavenham, - would join the Suffolk rural authority with the whole of Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury districts and parts of the existing Mid Suffolk, Waveney and Suffolk Coastal districts.
The Boundary Committee will submit its final report to the Electoral Commission by the end of December, which will pass its recommendation on to the Government.
Orwell: 40.5pc (319 votes)
North Haven: 35.1pc (276)
Tractorland: 16.8pc (132)
Robsonia: 2.9pc (23)
Wolsey: 2pc (16)
Starland: 1.7pc (13)
Gosnold: 1pc (8)
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