A RESTRUCTURED unitary authority system for Suffolk, with one urban and one rural authority, would be the best option for Bungay, town councillors heard at the annual town meeting.

A RESTRUCTURED unitary authority system for Suffolk, with one urban and one rural authority, would be the best option for Bungay, town councillors heard at the annual town meeting.

Guest speaker Stephen Baker, chief executive of Waveney District Council, said the council had always favoured an east and west split in Suffolk, to reflect communities of interest. Suffolk County Council was supporting a single unitary authority which it felt would be more streamlined, with just one council for people to refer to, and able to achieve economies of scale.

“Bungay would get lost in that because it just won't have a voice. Surely it is better to have an urban area in Ipswich and a rural one structured around rural issues,” he said.

“That is how it would help Bungay, a thriving market town which has a number of issues, such as lorries through the town centre.”

Mr Baker explained the process by which the Boundary Committee would come to its decision on local government re-organisation in Suffolk. He said when it came it would involved a huge amount of transition. A decision was not expected until November or December, and it would come into effect in April, 2011.

Once again no members of the public were present to take the opportunity to hear the Mayor, John Groom, report on the town council's activities, and hear the town clerk's financial report.

Mr Groom said it had been a satisfactory year all in all. Through its environment committee it was still working hard to make Bungay a greener, nicer place to live.

“We cannot do much about the lorries, but if we keep nagging away maybe we will reach the top of the list and get our bypass,” he said.

The council continued to support many groups in the town, including the Guides. He said power was now connected to the new guide hut at Kings Road and the groups should be able to move into their new home soon.