Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, today outlined the council’s priorities at the Annual General Meeting.
Supporting people’s health and wellbeing, strengthening the economy, protecting and enhancing our environment and providing value for money are at the heart of the council’s new ambitions.
Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, said:
“Suffolk is bursting with ambition, with a county council led by an administration which time and again delivers for the people of Suffolk. Working together we will overcome those challenges we face and build a bright future for Suffolk and its people.
“Let’s get on with the job and make our ambitions a reality.”
Councillor Hicks began his speech by paying tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee, before acknowledging Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine and the collective response from Suffolk residents, with the message that people are safe, supported and welcome here.
He then spoke in detail of the council’s four ambitions. These include:
- Promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of Suffolk people
Councillor Hicks said:
“It represents the greatest part of our current £625M budget, however money alone doesn’t make the difference in these areas, it is the way we work together with partners which delivers real substantial change for people.”
He outlined his commitment SEND improvement, acknowledged the ongoing work to integrate health and social care systems under the two Integrated Care Systems and the successes of Cassius, the council’s digital care service.
- Strengthening our local economy
Councillor Hicks said:
“Our local Suffolk economy is the life blood of this county and its people. We are committed to working with local businesses, business organisations like the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, and others to ensure that the Suffolk Economy is best placed to fulfil its potential - so that everyone benefits.”
He referenced the ongoing construction of the Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft, the council’s new housing Joint Venture Partnership with Lovells, where some council land will be used for providing 3,000 new houses. He acknowledged the new Freeport at Felixstowe and Harwich and the importance of improving the major networks which connect the port to the rest of the country, citing projects to improve roads between the Seven Hills Junction and Melton, the A11 Fiveways roundabout and planned works to improve the interchange at Copdock. Finally, he made reference to Sizewell C and confirmed that should the plan to build a new reactor on the Suffolk coast be approved, Suffolk would stand to benefit from £200m of investment to mitigate impact.
- Protecting and enhancing our environment
Councillor Hicks said:
“This administration is committed to protecting our natural environment and assets. We are ambitious for the future, to ensure generations to come, get to enjoy the benefits of this greenest of counties.”
He confirmed the council has invested £12.8M on decarbonising council owned building and assets, marked the installation of over 100 electric car charging points across Suffolk, celebrated the council planting almost 200,000 trees and announced ongoing work to upgrade and build new Household waste and recycling centres in Stowmarket, Haverhill and Foxhall.
- Providing value for money
Councillor Hicks said:
“None of the aspirations I’ve mentioned before would be achievable without sound financial management and providing real value for money for our residents. Providing value for money means investing in services which matter most.”
Councillor Hicks highlighted Suffolk’s achievement of being selected by Government to negotiate a County Deal, which involves the transfer of power in areas such as transport, education, skills, housing and planning. He also mentioned the £20million investment in highways and the successful programme to upgrade all 46,000 streetlights to LED.
The speech closed with Councillor Hicks’ continued commitment to tackling poverty in Suffolk. He said:
“This administration will work with front line organisations drawing on their first-hand experience of poverty to do what we can to mitigate the effects. This administration recognises and accepts there is a real issue with the cost of living and I urge anyone who is struggling to make ends meet, struggling to pay bills or to afford necessities like food to contact the Suffolk Advice and Support Service helpline on 0800 068 3131.”
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