THE newly-elected leader of Babergh District Council says there is a 'long and ambitious list' for the district ahead of major changes to local councils in the next three years.

Cllr John Ward will lead the Green, Independent and Liberal Democrat coalition administration for the next year - replacing Cllr Deborah Saw, who had been leader for the last year. The rotation in leadership is a part of the coalition agreement, and Cllr Ward was elected at the Annual Council Meeting.

The council's impact over the past two years since the district election was highlighted – including excellent progress on housing repairs and maintenance, close work with communities to address new government housebuilding requirements, establishing a new nature reserve at Sproughton, work to improve the energy efficiency of listed buildings, and simplifying funding for community groups.

Cllr Ward said ensuring the financial stability of the council remained a top priority.

He added: "We are now thinking about the legacy we want this final Babergh administration to leave our successors. We have identified what we still want to achieve during the two or three years we have until the unitary councils take over. It is a long and ambitious list and we will share more details soon."

Under Government plans, all district, borough and county councils are set to be replaced in 2028 by new unitary councils delivering their services.

Suffolk's five district and borough councils are developing a case for either two or three unitary authorities in Suffolk; creating councils that are big enough to deliver, but local enough to care.

Cllr Ward said: "Two or three councils can meet the differing needs of our county's diverse communities.

"Suffolk County Council continues with its preferred option of a single unitary for the county – effectively just a rebranding of the existing council but including the district services.

 "We believe that this offers nothing in terms of innovation in service delivery, which is sorely needed, whilst the districts are looking at how local government can be redesigned for the future and, crucially, funded in a sustainable way.

"The county council is basing its preferred structure purely on estimated cost savings and has suggested some unproven numbers to justify it. It is also promoting the fact their single unitary proposal will reduce the total number of councillors across the county from about 300 to 120 – aligning themselves with the populist canard that we need fewer politicians.

"Apart from 120 being far too unwieldy for one council, it would stretch representation much too thinly and would not be in our residents' best interests."

The district and borough councils have just launched a survey asking people for their views on local government reorganisation in Suffolk.

The annual council meeting also saw Cllr John Whyman appointed as the new lead member for assets and investments.