I know that local government reorganisation can feel distant and complicated, but it affects us all.
I don’t write and talk about it a lot just to champion One Suffolk, our plan for a single unitary council in the county.
I do it because the stakes are enormous.
Millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money are on the line, along with the quality and sustainability of the services we all rely on.
One Suffolk is the only option on the table that makes sense for our county.
Following detailed analysis of Suffolk-specific data, conducted by global financial experts at Grant Thornton, the One Suffolk plan shows that in the first five years, savings of £78.2 million could be made, while three councils would cost £145.3 million more than the current two-tier system.
Think what good could be done with all that money saved!
Importantly, I’m not alone in saying this.
Community leaders from across Suffolk – representing sectors from health, social care, business, tourism, agriculture, and the media – have come out to publicly back the One Suffolk plan.
Nick Hulme, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, says that a single unitary would enable consistent policy, streamlined decision-making, and more effective planning across the region.
Pete Waters, executive director of Visit East Anglia, says that working with one unitary would give his organisation "the opportunity to contribute to the bigger strategic picture for Suffolk’s visitor economy, rather than focus on arbitrary boundaries."
And Suffolk businessman Richard Brame poses the question: "If this was a business, there would be no question.
"Would you have three CFOs, or would you have one?
"Would you have three HR departments, or would you have one?"
In the strongest of terms, these sector leaders warn that splitting the county into three risks creating a postcode lottery, with unequal access to services and unnecessary duplication across health and social care.
Some of these voices came together to film a video where they speak further about the benefits to one unitary.
You can watch the Voices of One Suffolk videos on YouTube.
The plan for three councils poses clear risks for our county, yet writing in this paper yesterday, the Leader of Ipswich Borough Council chose not to explain how their proposal would work or how they would mitigate those risks.
Instead, he resorted to attacking the County Council.
In an extremely misleading column, Neil MacDonald spun a major untruth - the idea that Suffolk County Council would run a new unitary authority.
We at the County Council have been clear from the outset – the starting point for us reorganising local councils is the abolition of us at Suffolk County Council and the districts and boroughs too.
It would be a fresh start with new councillors, staff and, very importantly, a new culture.
Of course, some councillors from the existing system of district, borough and county might seek election and some staff from all those councils would take on new roles.
But this is true of one or three councils too.
Neil can’t really be saying that no councillors or staff from Ipswich Borough Council would have a role in his preferred model?
Of course they would – and the same is true of all councils.
Interestingly, the districts and borough, having just hired new PR consultants at a cost of £60,000, have come up with the new campaign tagline ‘Suffolk to the power of three’ to promote three unitary authorities.
The first thing that struck me when I read this was highly paid chief executives and senior staff to the power of three, back-office bureaucracy to the power of three and waste to the power of three.
Under three councils, services would vary across the county, and financial resilience would be weaker at a time when every pound counts.
Tomorrow, when the Chancellor delivers her budget, we will hear her plans for local government funding.
Early analysis suggests this will not be good news for Suffolk and underlines fears that smaller councils will struggle to exist going forward.
The One Suffolk proposal offers a clear, detailed plan for a stronger, more sustainable council.
It would save £39.4 million annually, empower town and parish councils that want to do more and introduce a £40 million capital investment fund to support our town centres alongside a review of car parking charges and local markets – conducted with local businesses and traders.
A single council would also support a thriving economy by giving the county a stronger voice nationally, speaking clearly to government and regional partners to improve the chances of securing vital funding and investment.
Last week the government launched its public consultation on local government reorganisation.
This is your chance to shape the future of Suffolk.
Whatever your view, please take part.
The decisions made now will define how our county is run for decades to come, and your feedback will help ensure these decisions reflect the ambitions of the people who live and work here.
One Suffolk is smarter, simpler and better.
And it’s built for the future.
Take part in the consultation to make your voice heard.
Richard Rout, Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reform and NSIPs.
