Sudbury is positioning itself to pack a powerful punch when the impending radical overhaul of local government takes place.
Within the next two years Babergh district and St Edmundsbury borough councils will be consigned to history and the decisions that affect the everyday life of residents will be made by a new authority.
On Tuesday, Sudbury town councillors agreed t
hat under the new system, and as a "quality status" town council, Sudbury would fight for a return to the borough council powers it had before the local government shake-up in 1974.
They were debating the Boundary Committee's proposed creation of two unitary authorities in Suffolk.
One would be responsible for Ipswich, Felixstowe and the surrounding area – including eastern parts of Suffolk Coastal, Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils – and one rural unitary authority for the rest of the county.
Town clerk Sue Brotherwood said the town council would also campaign for the return of assets that were passed to Babergh in the 1970s.
She said: "We will be recommending the creation of two unitary authorities, but with a more even split down the county.
"We will also make it clear that we are concerned that current proposals would mean a ratio of one councillor representing 5,000 residents, rather than the current ratio of one to every 1,800 residents."
The decision on any new unitary authorities will be made by the Secretary of State. A final decision is expected in February.
The full article contains 249 words and appears in Suffolk Free Press newspaper.
