Leader of the County Council ______

Councillor Jeremy Pembroke Endeavour House 8 Russell Road IP1 2BX Max Caller Chair Boundary Committee for Trevelyan House Tel: 01473 264012 Great Peter Street Email: [email protected] London Web: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk SW1P 2HW Date: 11 April 2008

Dear Max

Review of local government structure (Suffolk) – the response from Suffolk County Council

At its meeting on 27 March Suffolk County Council agreed to submit the concept of a single unitary council for Suffolk. The concept we are submitting is based on a new radical approach to local governance – One Suffolk. The proposal has been jointly developed with colleagues at District Council and paints a compelling picture of the future.

Neighbourhood empowerment, strategic leadership and high quality affordable public services are at the heart of our concept and we believe it will deliver a step change for Suffolk citizens. Only a single Suffolk Council will have the scope to address the different challenges that the rural and urban areas of Suffolk face, whilst delivering genuine devolution to neighbourhoods.

Our concept is bold and radical. It is based on analysis of the problems Suffolk faces and the needs of our citizens. It is based on the need for Suffolk to speak with one voice and for citizens to re-engage with local government through Area Assemblies and Neighbourhood Forums.

I look forward to working on our concept with you in the next stage of this process.

Yours sincerely

Jeremy

Councillor Jeremy Pembroke Leader of the County Council