Mid Suffolk’s central government grant has been cut by 15.8% (£0.931m) and will be cut by a similar amount next year. With a freeze in council tax, and the loss of other grants, the total cut to the budget is expected to be just over £1m. It is hoped that no frontline services will be affected but it will be a difficult budget to balance. Mid Suffolk continues to work with Babergh to see what integration savings can be made.
Suffolk County Council is proposing to reduce the number of Household Waste Recycling Centres from 18 to 11. The 7 to be closed have not yet been named. Our nearest site in Stowmarket is very well used and I am concerned that the closure of any site will lead to an increase in fly-tipping. I have expressed my concern to the County and will campaign against any local closures.
The Stowmarket Service Centre in Ipswich Street is closing on 31 March 2011. Some services will instead be available via the Stowmarket Tourist Information Centre and also Stowmarket Library.
I have now also volunteered as a Governor for the primary school in Haughley and look forward to working with everyone there.
Rachel Eburne 