Cllr Mark Bee, Leader of Waveney District Council has called on the people of Lowestoft to join him in a protest against proposals to move the town of Lowestoft in to Norfolk.

The Boundary Committee for England (BCE) has proposed annexing the Suffolk town as part of its proposals for unitary government in the county and recommends that it becomes part of a giant Norfolk council.

The proposal has been met with widespread dismay, with the public, local businesses, parish councils and politicians of all parties uniting in their opposition to the Boundary Committee’s recommendations. He therefore believes it is time for those who love the town to stand up and be counted and is calling the people of Lowestoft to join him in a demonstration on Monday September 1, which will culminate in the raising of a Suffolk flag at the Town Hall.

“We want to show the Boundary Committee and the Government how strongly we feel and we hope they will wake up and realise that no-one wants this, no-one asked for this and the people of Lowestoft are not going to stand for it,” Cllr Bee said.

“This is a Suffolk town steeped in history and these proposals will only disrupt existing communities who now face the prospect of getting local services delivered by a huge and unwieldy Norwich-based council. If enough people gather to make their point, I would be amazed if this government would dare have the front to proceed with something so pointless, unwanted and unpopular.”

Cllr Bee is asking people to gather in the town centre at 11am, where the Mayor, and others, will speak out against the proposals. The Lowestoft Journal newspaper, which has initiated its own ‘Suffolk and Proud’ campaign will be distributing Suffolk flags and pennants.

Cllr Bee will then progress to Lowestoft Town Hall where he will raise a large Suffolk flag with the Mayor of Lowestoft and Journal editor Russell Cook to symbolise the town’s determination to stay put.

Cllr Bee continued: “The Boundary Committee are still asking for people’s views and there is still time to make a real difference. Please come along and show your support for YOUR town and then let the Boundary Committee know what you think.

The Director of the BCE says that the Committee “..has not finalised its proposal for a pattern of unitary local government in Suffolk. In the light of representations received, the Committee will review its draft proposal and consider whether it should be altered before submitting it to the Secretary of State.”

People can express their views on the proposals by using the online form at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/suffolk-structural-review  

…or writing to: Review Manager (Norfolk/Suffolk Review), The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW or email: reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk  

View further details of the Local Government Review