25.05.18
New East Suffolk council sets ‘historic template’ for local government mergers
Parliament has today made the necessary Orders to create the new East Suffolk Council in April 2019.
Under new legislation the new council will come into existence on 1 April, with the existing Suffolk Coast District Council and Waveney District Council to be abolished.
The new authority received the government go-ahead in February, with the law creating a ‘super council’ that would reduce the number of elected members from 90 to 55.
Earlier this month the ‘assenting motion’ was heard in the two Houses, and now local government minister Rishi Sunak MP has signed the order bringing the East Suffolk Council into existence.
The Orders will create a new shadow authority, comprised of all 90 members who represent the existing authorities. Their role is to oversee the smooth transition and delivery of services of the new council.
Cllr Mark Bee, Leader of Waveney District Council, said: “It speaks volumes for the incredible efforts of members and officers that this final confirmation has been achieved with the minimum of fuss; setting an historic template for others to follow.
“We now enter an exciting new phase as the clock ticks down to the creation of East Suffolk Council.”
The decision to form East Suffolk Council will see the creation of the largest district area in the country, spanning across almost 500 miles and serving a quarter of a million residents to deliver over 80 different services.
The shadow authority will meet for the first time on 4 June. Elections for the new council will take place on 2 May 2019.
Cllr Ray Herrings, the leader of Suffolk Coastal District Council, argued that the confirmation was “a great deal of hard work by members and officers.”
He added: “This work does not simply stop now. We will continue to maintain our focus on this next stage of the journey, ensuring that the transition from two councils to one council is as smooth as possible.”
Image credit: whitemay, iStock Images
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