Ipswich Borough Council has welcomed the publication of the Government White Paper on local government and confirmed that it would be submitting a formal bid to create a unitary council. A unitary Ipswich has the backing of all three major political parties on the Borough Council.
The Government has invited bids from councils across the UK but it is expected that only a small number will be approved. Ipswich has been campaigning with three other councils - Norwich, Exeter and Oxford.
The Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, Councillor Liz Harsant, said today: “We have a strong case and want to cut duplication, waste and confusion. Many residents do not understand which council delivers various services under the current two-tier system.
We also want to kill the myth that Ipswich is not big enough to become a unitary council. We are the fastest growing urban centre in the East of England and are bigger than many successful unitary councils. We are a major regional centre, play a key role in the Haven Gateway and Regional Cities East and can meet a lot of the Government’s housing and jobs targets for Suffolk.”
Councillor Harsant stressed that one council for Ipswich would bring greater accountability. “Ipswich people should decide on Ipswich policies. Likewise, Ipswich people should not decide what happens in Lowestoft or Bury St Edmunds.”
Ipswich rejects the allegation from some county authorities that setting up unitaries will mean higher council tax and a burden on the remaining two-tier neighbours. There will be financial savings and a vibrant unitary Ipswich will bring more money in for the rest of Suffolk. Ipswich, like other councils bidding for unitary status, will need to demonstrate strategic leadership, neighbourhood engagement, service delivery and value for money.