A public consultation is in progress until 26 September on the form in which Suffolk should now become unitary, ie only one layer of government above local communities (in the Thornhams, the Parish Meeting).  We need to establish whether Villagers want to offer a joint view and, if so, whether a meeting for discussion is needed.

The Government, having turned down Ipswich’s wish to have a unitary government separated from the rest of Suffolk, asked the Boundary Committee to recommend new governmental structures for both Suffolk and Norfolk. It was made clear that the abolition of the middle tier of local government (the Mid-Suffolk District Council) was a non-negotiable requirement. The Boundary Committee published its report on 7th July . 

In summary, the Committee recommends that Suffolk should be divided between one unitary government for Ipswich and Felixstowe with the surrounding area, and another unitary government for the rest—mainly rural—of the county, less Lowestoft.  In their view, Lowestoft should in any case join Great Yarmouth in a unitary Norfolk. The Committee do, however, note that the alternative proposal—strongly supported by the MSDC—of a single unitary government for the whole of Suffolk deserves consideration. (Boundary Committee news release is available at Village Business.) Neither solution would affect local government arrangements. Other solutions put forward seem to be out of the running.

The Boundary Committee encourages local authorities, communities and residents to express their views, which they commit to take into account, during the period of consultation.  The committee will then present its final recommendations to HMG by   31 December 2008.

In the view of the MSDC, a unitary government covering the whole County—One Suffolk-- with local centres (eg Eye) responsible for administering services as appropriate, would best respond to the interests of rural communities. They also argue that replacing eight councils with one, substantially reducing the number of councillors in Suffolk, would be most economic.  You can read more on Mid Suffolk District Council's views on the Boundary Committee Report over in Village Business where you will also find a "Q & A" article reproduced from an article in the East Anglian Daily Times.

The immediate question for residents in the Thornhams is whether they wish

a)     to meet to discuss these and other questions or
b)     a response to be sent on behalf of the village in support of the MSDC position or
c)    To leave response to individuals.

Interested Thornham Magna residents are invited to e-mail Irene Tibbenham at:                           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it