CLAIMS by the county council that Ipswich would have less protection on vital trading standards issues if the town became a unitary authority were denied last night.

By Richard Smith

CLAIMS by the county council that Ipswich would have less protection on vital trading standards issues if the town became a unitary authority were denied last night.

Suffolk County Council said that Ipswich residents would be vulnerable to rogue traders, animal diseases and other emergencies if the town took over responsibility for trading standards functions.

But this was robustly denied by the borough council as the two councils fight their corner during the consultation period before the Government makes the final decision on unitary proposals.

Ipswich has launched its bid to become a stand alone authority, taking control of all local government services in the borough, claiming the move will cut duplication, be more efficient and bring power closer to the people in the town.

But Suffolk County Council is opposing the bid, saying the move will put up council tax bills and hit the quality of services.

Joanna Spicer, the county council's portfolio holder for public protection, said: “With a regulatory service, such as trading standards, you can't pick and choose the laws you enforce or chose to ignore the needs of some parts of the community you serve.

“The county's trading standards officers cover around 80 acts of parliament and address issues on the ground from loan sharks to rogue traders, from food labelling to foot and mouth.

“The Ipswich plan says that they will just concentrate on so-called 'urban matters', forgetting that other issues such as bird flu are just as likely to strike in the town.

“It betrays a lack of knowledge of the number of small holdings in the town, and a lack of understanding of what services trading standards must provide by law.

“There are currently over 50 places registered to keep animals in Ipswich, and many more backyard chicken keepers. You only need to look at the recent outbreak of bird flu at Holton to see that an outbreak can happen anywhere in the county at any time.”

Mrs Spicer said the county council's Suffolk-wide approach to trading standards issues meant it could mobilise officers from across the county “at a moment's notice” to take swift action against rogue traders, as well as if an emergency strikes.

“Our work creates a fair and level playing field for all, no matter where they live in Suffolk. This (unitary authority) proposal is badly thought through and will not provide the level of protection that the people of Ipswich deserve.”

But Liz Harsant, borough council leader, said it was ludicrous of the county council to make the allegation.

“This is total scaremongering. Although it is not our responsibility at the moment we do take on a lot of the responsibilities,” she said.

“If needs be we can buy in the services from the county council to do that or buy from another authority, but we will carry on with everything and not let the people of Ipswich down.”

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk