Government points to North Haven future for Ipswich and Felixstowe

1.05.04pm GMT Wed 17th Dec 2008

Andrew Cann was the first to advocate an Ipswich/Felixstowe Unitary Authority, now given the moniker 'North Haven' by the Boundary Committe

Local Liberal Democrat plans for a North Haven unitary authority received a shot in the arm from the govt recently. Concomitant with the granting of an extension of time to the Boundary Committee to submit their proposals (Feb 13th) the Secretary of State (SoS) for Communities, Hazel Blears issued further guidance.

Although the guidance does not mention North Haven and Rural Suffolk, the intended two authorities for Suffolk, explicitly it deals with the problems that local lib dems have been pointing out with the process and the inadequacy of Suffolk County Councils work on the Rural Suffolk option. Under SCC's plans Rural Suffolk would generate only 24% of any savings but 74% of any costs vis-a-vis a 'One Suffolk' proposal. Clearly not right. The SoS, in detail, has pointed out how savings can be taken 'in aggregate', across two unitary authority proposals. This will deal with this issue.