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Options that show the potential savings that could be made if Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils were to integrate have been made public today, before they are debated by Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councillors from next week.
For a number of months, work has been progressing on an Outline Business Case looking at ways in which the two Councils could work more closely together. These would involve varying degrees of staff integration, leading to a single staffing structure to serve both Councils. An option to go even further and replace the two Councils with one new District Council to serve the Babergh and Mid Suffolk areas is being drawn up.
Councillors will have their first chance to publicly debate the initial findings of this review, which identifies the opportunities and risks associated with these options.
A single officer structure for the two Councils would result in annual savings of at least £1m. The creation of a new single Council could recoup even greater savings of at least £1.5m per year.
The Outline Business Case will now go to Babergh’s Strategy Committee on July 29 and Mid Suffolk’s Executive Committee on August 2, before going to Babergh’s Full Council meeting on August 31 and Mid Suffolk’s Full Council meeting on September 9.
According to Cllr. Nick Ridley, Babergh’s Strategy Committee Chairman, “We both face the daunting prospect of 25% funding cuts over the next four years – on top of the considerable savings we have already both had to find. It is clear neither Council can continue to take these blows on our own without a wholesale reduction in our ability to deliver services. The Outline Business case would suggest that closer working together could help us to make cuts in expenditure whilst reducing at least some of the adverse impact that these cuts will have on frontline services”.
Cllr Tim Passmore, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council added: “Both authorities already have experience of working well together through the joint management of our waste collection and several other services. These proposals will take this further, so we can continue to deliver high quality services to the residents and businesses of Mid Suffolk and Babergh and deliver the savings that must be made. As well as a challenge, it is an opportunity to transform and innovate local public services.”
Both Councils are writing to local town and parish councils and other organisations seeking their reaction.
Copies of the Outline Business Case are also available on both websites (http://www.babergh.gov.uk/ and http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/) for the general public to view and comment upon.
If the two Councils agree that they should move towards developing a detailed business case, there will be formal consultation at a later stage. This would be a requirement should both Councils decide to pursue the creation of one Council.
For more information, please visit either authority’s website or contact: Babergh - Paul Simon on 01473 826634 or Mid Suffolk – Vicky Smy on 01449 724850. ENDS
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