11.05.18
Suffolk ‘super district’ gains Parliamentary approval
A new ‘super district’ council for East Suffolk has been approved by Parliament in a major move that brings restructuring plans “very near to the finish line.”
Officials from Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Council attended Parliament yesterday for the presentation of the Parliamentary Order for the formal creation of the new council.
The Order was presented by Rishi Sunak, minister for housing, communities and local government, in committee at the House of Commons, and by Lord Bourne of Aberstwyth in the House of Lords.
Both Houses have approved bringing the legal creation of the new authority into view.
Following this approval, an ‘assenting motion’ will now be heard in the two Houses, before the new housing and communities secretary finally signs the Order, which will formally confirm the creation of the new authority.
In February this year the councils were given the government go-ahead for the creation of the new super council, and earlier this month their first joint meeting was held.
It is expected that the merger will reduce the number of elected members from 90 to 55.
Cllr Ray Herring, leader of Suffolk Coastal, said that he was delighted that both Houses had approved the creation of the East Suffolk council.
“Each step brings an East Suffolk Council closer and we are now very near to the finish line,” he added.
Waveney leader, Cllr Mark Bee, also welcomed the news: “Parliamentary approval of our plans is a clear indication that a new East Suffolk Council would be the best option for our local communities.
“This approval is fantastic news and I am very pleased indeed.”
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