On 7th July 2008 the Boundary Committee put forward their draft
proposals for Unitary Local Government in Suffolk.
Their favoured proposal is for two Unitary Authorities, one
of which is based on Ipswich and the surrounding area, including
both the Felixstowe and Shotley peninsulas and the other is
the rest of Suffolk excluding Lowestoft which is proposed will
be hived off into Norfolk.
This area of the County could well be affected by the Boundary
Committee proposals as included in the Ipswich and Felixstowe
Unitary Authority are the Parishes of Capel St Mary, Bentley,
East Bergholt and Stratford St Mary.
The Boundary Committee say in their report that the proposed
Ipswich and Felixstowe Authority is based on a number of considerations,
the one affecting us says those parishes to the east and north
of Ipswich (up to but not including Woodbridge) which include
sections of the A12 should be included.
It may be that this proposal would be acceptable to parishioners,
however if it is not the Boundary Committee have indicated that
there is merit in a Unitary Authority comprising the whole of
the existing Suffolk County with the exception of the Lowestoft
area. They have indicated that although they prefer their proposal
they are prepared to listen to views supporting the ‘One
Suffolk’ concept.
There is now to be a period of consultation ending on 26th
September 2008 where residents are invited and encouraged to
comment.
