By Jenni DixonTALKS on setting up a one-stop shop for most of a town's public services are continuing despite opposition from councillors and council officials.

By Jenni Dixon

TALKS on setting up a one-stop shop for most of a town's public services are continuing despite opposition from councillors and council officials.

The concept of a multi-agency partnership for Southwold was drawn up by Suffolk County Council, which is looking to put the emergency, medical, library and council services under one roof in Mights Road.

However, the town council said it was not willing to sell all of the land behind the current police and fire stations for the one-stop shop because it was earmarked for a £378,000 car and skate park, toilets and picnic benches.

However, negotiations between town councillors and representatives from the police and Southwold Surgery have now resumed and a further meeting of all parties had been set for March 17.

Alasdair Wilson, practice manager of the over-subscribed Southwold Surgery, welcomed the development.

“The meeting seemed very positive, but we need a decision by June before moving within two years,” he said.

It had been suggested the surgery should move into Reydon because almost half of its 500 patients live in the village, but Mr Wilson said he did not want to let Southwold's elderly and immobile residents down.

“We want to stay in Southwold, but on the border with Reydon so we can service both communities,” he added.

Southwold mayor, Sue Allen, said the latest meeting had been informative for all sides, but stressed the town council's original plan of a car park on the site was still important.

“We're putting forward new ideas, but we desperately need a car park there. The trouble is that in Southwold there's no space to do anything and we all need to work together,” she added.

jenni.dixon@eadt.co.uk