SUFFOLK county council has started a public relations exercise to get backing for its plans for single unitary authority responsible for 700,000 people.

Graham Dines

SUFFOLK county council has started a public relations exercise to get backing for its plans for a single unitary authority responsible for 700,000 people.

In a letter to organisations and groups in the county, council leader Jeremy Pembroke and Mid Suffolk district's Tim Passmore, the only council leader in Suffolk to support the county, said: “Neighbourhood empowerment, strategic leadership and high-quality, affordable public services are at the heart of our concept and we believe it will deliver a step-change for Suffolk citizens.

“Only a single Suffolk council will have the scope to address the different challenges that the rural and urban areas of Suffolk face, while delivering genuine devolution to neighbourhoods.”

They add: “Our concept is bold and radical. It is based on analysis of the problems Suffolk faces and the needs of our citizens. It is based on the need for Suffolk to speak with one voice and for citizens to re-engage with local government through area assemblies and neighbourhood forums.”