FOREST Heath District Council last night voted for Suffolk to be split up with east and west Suffolk each having their own unitary councils. The vote comes amid a review by the Boundary Committee into local government in Suffolk.

Laurence Cawley

FOREST Heath District Council last night voted for Suffolk to be split up with east and west Suffolk each having their own unitary councils.

The vote comes amid a review by the Boundary Committee into local government in Suffolk.

The council claims an east/west would “maximise opportunities for value for money, leadership and neighbourhood empowerment and still be affordable”.

Leader of the council Geoffrey Jaggard said: “Whilst some of our members and local people would rather the status quo be maintained, if the Government insists on change we must ensure that the changes bring more benefit than the disruption that is caused.”

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The district council has both developed its own policy analysis to find a model which is likely to bring the most benefit to district residents and undertaken a public consultation to hear the views of the public, town and parish councils.

“There are already examples of west Suffolk partnerships that are working well - the West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership; NHS provision is based on an east/west model as is Suffolk Police.

“A west Suffolk unitary council would be able to focus on important shared interests, for example, the economic development of market towns, environmental and economic issues around farming and the horseracing industry, tourism attractions and the common housing, economic, cultural and infrastructure links.”

A concept document giving reasons for the choice is being submitted to the Boundary Committee and can be viewed online at www.forest-heath.gov.uk.