What’s Next for Local Government in Suffolk?
FREE Haverhill Public Meeting to Explore the Future
As major changes are being proposed for how local councils operate in Suffolk (see our previous article on Devolution below!), residents and businesses in Haverhill are invited to a special public event on Tuesday 29th July to understand what’s happening—and why it matters.
Taking place on Tuesday 29th July from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at St Mary’s Church, the event—organised by the ONE Haverhill Partnership—aims to help residents, businesses, and community groups understand the options being considered for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and what these may mean for Haverhill specifically.
This proposal is currently being voted on by the five district and borough councils, with West Suffolk Council the first to vote. If approved, final proposals will be submitted to the government in September.
Supporters of the two- or three-authority-area model say a smaller unitary authority can better reflect the distinct needs of the part of Suffolk it covers. However, supporters of the One Suffolk unitary model believe that the financial and operational arguments for a single authority covering all of Suffolk are undeniable.
The evening will open with a welcome from Henry Wilson, our CEO and Chair of ONE Haverhill, and will be chaired by Roy Graham, trustee of Reach Community Projects.
Colin Poole, Town Clerk of Haverhill Town Council, will provide a clear, factual overview of devolution and the story so far—particularly what the changes could mean at a local level.
Two key perspectives will then be presented:
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Councillor Richard Rout, Portfolio Holder for LGR at Suffolk County Council, will explain the County Council’s case for a single unitary authority for Suffolk.
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Councillor Cliff Waterman, Chair of West Suffolk District Council, will outline the District and Borough Councils’ vision for two or three unitary authorities (a decision on whether two or three is being pursued will be confirmed by the time of the event).
The second half of the evening will be dedicated to audience questions and comments, offering a valuable opportunity for those who live and work in Haverhill to gain a better understanding and share reflections.
While the decisions about Suffolk’s local government structure will ultimately rest with central and regional authorities, events like this can play a role in ensuring those decisions are made with a better understanding of how they are perceived by the people they affect.
Henry Wilson, Chair of ONE Haverhill, said: “I’m really pleased we’re creating this space for local people and businesses to get involved in something as important as how our town will be run in the future.
"Devolution and local government reorganisation can feel a bit confusing - I know I’ve had the luxury of having it explained to me in detail, and I think everyone in Haverhill deserves that same clarity. When we all understand how things work, we’re in a much stronger position to shape the future of the place we live and work in. I want to see Haverhill—and the people in it—continue to use their knowledge to grow and thrive.”
Free tickets are available above or on Eventbrite: suffolkdevolution.eventbrite.co.uk