Editorial: the time for unitary government in Suffolk has come

Four years ago, the talk in political circles was all about cutting the costs of local government by creating new 'super councils', two, or three unitary authorities to take on all of the roles currently handled by the county and district councils. By doing so, vast amounts of money could be released to spend on already hard-pressed local services.

As usual, however, agreement could not be reached, with the Labour Government pushing for a unitary Ipswich despite some very vocal disagreement from local politicians. The argument for a unitary Ipswich on its current boundaries was a relatively weak one, given the evidence that unitary authorities only really work above a certain level of population, and surrounding communities were deeply suspicious that a 'Greater Ipswich' would offer them little but higher levels of council tax and far less influence. The fact that the rest of the county was left untouched also led one to suspect that it was a political solution rather than a workable one.

Meanwhile, local Conservatives were unable to agree a strategy, with the County Group keen to create a unitary County, whilst the District Groups wanted something a bit smaller, a two or three unitary solution. And, with Conservatives in control on five out of seven authorities, another, Babergh, under no overall control, and Ipswich run by a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition, their failure to agree led to stalemate.

The incoming Coalition Government immediately cancelled the Ipswich unitary, and tossed the matter back into the hands of local politicians to come up with a solution themselves. Since then, mostly silence - it was all too difficult and there were too many conflicts of interest.

And yet, with every council in the county bemoaning the fact the cuts will need to be made, there is appears to have been little, or no, discussion on the structure of local government. That is, until recently.

Cllr David Wood, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Suffolk County Council, last month called upon politicians across all parties to act. So, in a spirit of co-operation, here's a suggestion for a three authority solution;

• West Suffolk - Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury and West Babergh (including Sudbury)
• North Suffolk - Waveney, Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal (excluding Felixstowe, Kesgrave and Martlesham)
• South Suffolk - Ipswich, Felixstowe, Kesgrave, Martlesham and surrounds, and East Babergh (including Hadleigh)

Or, if two authorities is your preferred choice;

• West Suffolk - Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury, Mid Suffolk and Babergh
• East Suffolk - Waveney, Suffolk Coastal and Ipswich

But, whatever you prefer, ladies and gentlemen, would you kindly get on with it?