Liberal Democrats welcome independent "thumbs up" to two councils for Suffolk

12.00.00am GMT Tue 25th Nov 2008

Suffolk County Liberal Democrats have today welcomed the news that the financial case for the North Haven and Rural Suffolk (including Lowestoft) unitary councils has been given the thumbs up from the independent Electoral Commission.

Commenting on the report Liberal Democrat group leader Kathy Pollard said, "We are pleased that independent consultants have confirmed that the North Haven and Suffolk Rural councils can make significant savings."

"What is important now is that Lowestoft remains within Suffolk and we will continue to lobby for this. It would be the worst possible scenario for Lowestoft if it became part of a gigantic Norfolk unitary authority of 900,000 people. The Norfolk case is viable without Lowestoft, so there seems to be no rhyme or reason to separate the town from the rest of Suffolk."

Cllr Pollard added, "We applaud the hard work of all the staff concerned in putting together the business cases for the Suffolk unitary options. We continue to believe that two councils for Suffolk will serve people better than one."