March County Report
Local Elections back on, Suffolk Business Board news, An update on Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, and more
Local Elections: They Will, They Won’t, They Will Again!
Labour’s chaotic handling of this year’s local elections has left councils and residents scratching their heads. First they delayed 30 council elections. Then, under pressure, they performed a full U-turn and reinstated them.
This kind of flip-flopping creates uncertainty at a time when councils need stability, particularly with devolution plans and ongoing financial pressures. Local democracy should not be treated as an afterthought.
I welcome the fact that elections are back on. I am looking forward to standing again to be your representative on the County Council, continuing to stand up for Suffolk and for fair treatment for our communities.
To see who is standing, WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk provides a live list of announced candidates. Once nominations close and are formally confirmed, it will show the full list for our division.
You can find the current Hoxne & Eye page here:
https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/local.suffolk.hoxne-eye.2026-05-07/hoxne-eye/
Applications open for new Suffolk Business Board members
Suffolk County Council is inviting applications from experienced and influential local business people to join the Suffolk Business Board, which was established in 2024 to help drive economic growth across the county.
The board meets 6 times a year to help shape economic strategy and priorities for Suffolk, oversee delivery of funded programmes such as business support and skills training, and work closely with partners such as district councils, neighbouring counties and national economic and trade bodies.
Existing Suffolk Business Board members include a strong core of local business leaders alongside representatives from education and key strategic partners. New members will be joining a dynamic and proactive group, with the opportunity to immediately begin contributing to Suffolk’s economic development.
The recruitment comes at a key time, as the Business Board moves into its next phase of delivery, focusing on the investment and long-term economic priorities that will shape Suffolk for years to come.
Expressions of interest should be emailed to businessboard@suffolk.gov.uk by Monday 23 February with a short biography or CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the opportunity and what area(s) of expertise you feel you could bring.
Board membership is a voluntary position, and terms are for up to three years from the date of appointment. The Business Board is supported by a dedicated team of council officers.
Applications would be welcome from candidates with backgrounds in the key sectors as identified in the Local Growth Plan, including Agrifood, Clean Energy, Visitor Economy and Advanced Manufacturing.
The new members will fill two vacancies that result from existing board members coming to the end of their terms.
Cllr Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, economic development and skills, said:
“During its two years, the Suffolk Business Board has brought together senior business leaders from across the county to help shape a clear and ambitious direction for Suffolk’s economy, invested £5m in local projects to support growth and overseen a further £7m of government funded projects. The Board is already playing an important role in setting priorities, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that economic growth in Suffolk is driven by business insight and local expertise.
“We are now looking to build on that momentum by welcoming new members who can bring fresh perspectives, strong sector knowledge and a commitment to Suffolk’s future. Successful applicants will help influence economic strategy, support the delivery of key programmes, and act as advocates for Suffolk as a great place to do business, invest and grow.”
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Suffolk
Ending violence against women and girls is something that sits very close to my heart, and I know I’m not alone in that. Too many women and girls, and people of all genders, live with fear, control and abuse behind closed doors. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of the work Suffolk has already been doing, long before the Government announced its new national strategy at the end of last year.
In Suffolk, we didn’t wait to be told this mattered. We acted.
Over recent years, we’ve worked closely with police, health partners, schools, charities and specialist community organisations to build a joined-up, trauma-informed approach to preventing violence, intervening early, and supporting victim-survivors to be safe and rebuild their lives.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the Suffolk Domestic Abuse Champions Network. Since launching in 2019, more than 1,600 people across our communities have been trained to spot the signs of abuse and to know how, and where, to help someone reach safety. These people aren’t just working in public services; they are teachers, hairdressers, shop workers, volunteers and neighbours. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
The impact of this work has been recognised nationally. When the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, visited Suffolk in 2024, she told us that “Suffolk had been the talk of the office” that week. That recognition matters, but what matters more is the difference those champions make every single day.
We’ve also invested heavily in training frontline professionals, because the right response at the right moment can change, or save, a life. Teachers, healthcare workers, social care staff and others are receiving training on issues including honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, stalking, sexual violence, misogyny, online harms and trauma-informed practice. This also includes how to complete risk assessments and make referrals to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), where professionals from different agencies work together to plan safety for people at high risk. This isn’t tick-box training; it’s about confidence, understanding and compassion.
Alongside this, we’ve significantly strengthened our safe accommodation offer for people fleeing abuse, whether they are coming from within Suffolk or moving here for safety. We now have a range of accommodation options suitable for people of all ages and gender identities, with tailored support in place, including access to specialist mental health support for those dealing with the impact of trauma and abuse.
Last year, we published our Safe Accommodation Strategy for 2025–2028, shaped directly by lived experience, service providers and local needs. Listening to people who have been through abuse and acting on what they tell us, is something I believe deeply in. This year, we’re focusing especially on working with younger people who have experienced abuse, co-producing new routes to support and opportunities that actually meet their needs.
Community voice has also been central to shaping our new Ending Violence Against Women and Girls+ Strategy for 2025–2028. We held engagement sessions with victim-survivors across Suffolk, both face-to-face and online, alongside sessions with professionals. Our ambition now is to establish an ongoing survivor voice panel so lived experience continues to directly influence decisions and action.
Collaboration sits at the heart of this work. We see it in how we deliver the national White Ribbon Campaign locally, with organisations across Suffolk uniting around one clear message: violence against women and girls is never acceptable.
There is still more to do, but Suffolk’s progress shows what is possible when we are determined, compassionate and prepared to listen. In March 2025, Full Council passed a motion appointing Councillor Bobby Bennett as Suffolk’s Violence Against Women and Girls Champion, strengthening our leadership and accountability on this issue.
This work matters to me not just as a councillor, but as a person. And I’m proud to hand over to Bobby to share what this role means for the future.
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and VAWG Champion:
As Suffolk’s Violence Against Women and Girls Champion, my focus is on prevention, especially when it comes to children and young people.
If we want lasting change, we have to tackle harmful attitudes early, challenge misogyny and online harms, and make sure young people grow up with positive role models and a clear understanding of healthy, respectful relationships.
Through our Violence Against Women and Girls Steering Group, we’re exploring new education programmes and opportunities shaped by young people themselves.
I’m proud to take on this role and to build on the strong work already happening across Suffolk as we continue striving to make our county safer for everyone.
Public’s chance to try the ADASTRA trial driverless shuttle
Residents across Suffolk are being invited to see for themselves how self-driving shuttle technology could shape the future of local travel — and to have their say on how it should work for their communities.
Suffolk County Council is holding two events where the public can ride on the ADASTRA prototype, ask questions and share their views.
The council wants to understand not just whether autonomous shuttles are acceptable, but how they could best serve local needs as part of the wider transport system.
The events take place at:
Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall IP28 7JX
9.30am–2pm, Saturday 7 February 2026East Point Pavilion, Royal Plain, Lowestoft NR33 0AP
10am–2pm, Saturday 28 February 2026
The council has been working with design experts Smart City Consultancy to assess the technical, operational, and regulatory requirements of incorporating autonomous shuttle services into a potential future network of mobility hubs across the county.
Shuttles could potentially link future residential developments with strategic bus routes, improve accessibility, and support sustainable transport especially in rural areas.
Shuttles could travel shorter routes to feed main bus and train service corridors where the frequency of buses and trains could be increased, and journey times can be shorter.
Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Transport Strategy, said:
“Autonomous vehicles are not trying to replace cars, they are a means to fix specific, expensive gaps in transportation.
“As a council we are committed to delivering a range of transport options to meet the changing needs of the county, which is why we are undertaking this study.
“We really want to hear what people think so I would urge people to come along, see the vehicles in action and take part in the survey.”
In May 2025, Suffolk County Council secured a £75,000 government grant through the Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder 1 programme, administered by the Innovation Funding Service.
The funding supports feasibility studies aligned with the government’s ambition to establish a £40 billion connected autonomous mobility sector by 2040. ADASTRAL is one of 14 initiatives selected nationally.
Working with partners Smart City Consultancy Limited and Ohmio UK, the council is delivering a £325,000 feasibility study exploring how autonomous shuttles could be used alongside other transport options.
This would be via mobility hubs — transport interchanges that bring together walking, wheeling, cycling, buses, trains and shared mobility such as e-scooters, e-bikes and car clubs, alongside private cars.
The ADASTRA prototype is an Ohmio Lift shuttle, built in New Zealand.
It is designed as a fully autonomous vehicle, with no steering wheel or driver’s seat. It can carry up to 14 passengers at speeds of up to 40mph; however, during the trial it is limited to eight seated passengers with a safety operator, travelling at up to 15mph.
The shuttle is operated by Smart City Consultancy and based at BT Adastral Park near Ipswich.
The project team has already showcased the shuttle to the public, business leaders and industry at EVEX 2025 and The Big Bus Show 2025.
To take part in the online survey go to the Suffolk County Council website.
Council budget protects frontline services amid rising costs and demand
Demand pressures, particularly in adult and children’s social care, are expected to add £32.2 million to the council’s costs next year. As a result, around 77 pence of every £1 the council spends will go directly towards services for people, including public health.
The remaining 23 pence in every £1 will fund all other services, such as fire and rescue, highways and waste management, alongside the staff, infrastructure and technology that support service delivery across the council.
To deliver a balanced budget, councillors approved £46.5 million of savings. These will be achieved through service improvements, more efficient ways of working, and a reduction in employer pension contributions, made possible by the strong performance of the council’s pension fund. This reduction in employer contributions will not reduce employees’ pension benefits.
Councillors also agreed a 4.99% increase in the county council’s share of Council Tax, comprising a 2.99% general increase for county-wide services and a further 2% Adult Social Care Precept to help meet rising care costs.
For households, this means weekly Council Tax bills will increase by £1.23 to £25.90 for a Band B property – the most common in Suffolk – and by £1.58 to £33.30 for a Band D property.
Combined with a forecast 1% increase in the taxbase, the Council Tax changes will generate an additional £27.4 million for the council in 2026/27.
Alongside day-to-day spending, councillors approved a revised three-year capital programme, reduced from four years to reflect local government reorganisation planned for 2028. The programme will continue to fund essential projects such as school expansions and infrastructure improvements, while also investing in improvements to bus services, public rights of way, and cycling and walking infrastructure.
Cllr Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, economic development and skills, said:
“This has been one of the toughest budgets this council has ever had to set. Government funding has gone up only slightly, and, because that increase is below inflation, in real terms we are receiving less. That puts even more pressure on our ability to protect essential services.
“We have made the reluctant decision to increase Council Tax. We know residents are facing their own pressures, but the government’s finance settlement assume councils will raise Council Tax to the maximum. If we don’t, we risk losing vital grant funding, and that would force even harder decisions.
“Even with those challenges, we have set a responsible and realistic budget that protects key services and continues to invest in Suffolk’s future. But it also underlines a wider truth: council finances remain under real strain, and many of the longterm solutions – including long-overdue SEND reform – can only come from central government.”
Councillors approved the budget at their meeting on Thursday 12 February 2026, following Scrutiny’s examination of the proposals on 13 January and Cabinet’s decision on 27 January to bring them to Full Council for approval.
The meeting can be watched back on the council’s YouTube channel. The budget papers can be viewed at committeeminutes.suffolk.gov.uk.
Trial scheme to remove vehicles blocking road resurfacing work to begin
Suffolk County Council is to launch a trial scheme to remove vehicles that are blocking highways resurfacing work.
The move comes following repeated issues with vehicles across Suffolk that have been left in roads where works are scheduled, despite advance warnings they were due to take place.
This has led to the cancellation of entire resurfacing works or small areas being left where vehicle parking has prevented access for equipment.
Offending vehicles will be either moved to a safe place in line of sight from where they were parked, or to a secure compound in Bury St Edmunds.
Any vehicle which is moved to enable works to go ahead will be subject to a £70 Fixed Penalty Charge Notice, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Vehicles taken to the secure compound, due to there not being a suitable location near the works area to move the vehicle to, will also be subject to additional fees to recover their vehicle.
The trial scheme will be introduced in March and will cover the Suffolk Highways resurfacing programme up to May 2026.
The first site where it will be used is scheduled to be in Allington Walk, Haverhill, where two days of works are due to start from Wednesday March 18.
Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Operational Highways, said:
“Removal of vehicles will be a last resort but unfortunately there are occasions when it is necessary.
“Each time a resurfacing scheme has to be cancelled costs the Council Tax payer money, as well as the frustration of having to reschedule and notify residents again.
“Suffolk Highways is committed to maintaining the county’s roads and this scheme will help our workforce get on with the job.”
Each abortive visit where works are unable to take place costs in the region of £15,000.
This cost covers items such as wasted material, plant, labour and equipment hire. Abortive works also impacts future programmed work delivery.
Under the removal scheme, the process would see:
A temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) advertised six weeks before work starting
Warning signs erected and letters delivered to nearby residents and businesses clearly detailing whether vehicle removal will be imposed 2 to 3 weeks prior to the works date.
No parking cones placed in the road and any vehicles parked on the road at the time of visit will have information cards placed on the windscreen two days before works start
On the day, a District Civil Enforcement Officer will issue PCNs, offending vehicles photographed then relocated safely with the police informed
Offending vehicles will be either moved to a safe place in line of sight, or if this is not possible to the secure compound in Bury St Edmunds
Contact numbers and references will be left on site for the owner to call to locate/collect vehicle
Councillor West said consideration would be given for blue-badge holders and vulnerable residents, and vehicles would be moved only to safe nearby locations or the secure compound.
“This is a measure about making sure the council does not have wasted costs through having to abort a scheme,” he said.
“The measure that will only be used when needed and I can assure the public that it will be implemented fairly.
“This is only being introduced for planned work that is notified in advance. It is not being used when potholes are filled on reactive call outs.”
£500,000 Culture Project Fund backs 37 creative and community projects across Suffolk
The fund was created to boost cultural activity, widen participation and support creativity across the county. This year’s successful projects span festivals, youth arts programmes, heritage initiatives, wellbeing-focused activities and community-led creative work, with grants ranging from £2,000 to £20,000. Among the projects funded are:
Frame the Future at DanceEast an eight-week creative intervention using hip hop dance and film to support young people at risk of exclusion in Ipswich. Delivered in partnership with schools and specialist artists, it aims to build confidence, skills and wellbeing through co-creation.
he Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum has secured funding to refurbish its accessible railway carriage, maintaining inclusive access for wheelchair users, families and visitors with additional needs, while supporting volunteer-led heritage restoration skills.
The Bloom Community Engagement Programme, delivered by Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, offers year-round participatory theatre and workshops across West Suffolk, including youth theatre, SEND provision, over-55s sessions and an annual Bloom Festival to strengthen community connections.
Cllr Nadia Cenci, Cabinet Member for Communities at Suffolk County Council, said:
“I’m delighted that we are able to support such a vibrant mix of cultural projects through this year’s Culture Project Fund. These initiatives show the imagination, talent and community spirit that make Suffolk such a special place.
“What stands out is how many of these projects are rooted in local people, supporting wellbeing, nurturing young talent and bringing creativity into our towns, villages and rural communities. The benefits of these art projects cannot be underestimated. They can change the lives of our communities across the county.”
The Culture Project Fund continues to support both established organisations and grassroots groups, strengthening Suffolk’s cultural landscape. Last year’s programme delivered meaningful outcomes, from improving wellbeing and confidence to widening access to heritage and cultural experiences.
One example was Status Creative CIC’s Creative Connections in Lowestoft, which brought together people with lived experience of domestic abuse through creative writing, poetry and music workshops in a safe, supportive space. Participants reported improved wellbeing, stronger social connections and renewed confidence.
Another was Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust’s Tide Mill Museum 3D Tour, which created an immersive online experience featuring 42 learning points, videos and audio content, enabling people worldwide, including those unable to travel to explore the historic mill year-round.
This year’s funded projects build on that growing legacy, ensuring culture continues to inspire, connect and enrich communities across Suffolk for years to come.
The full list of organisation receiving funding can be found here: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/cultureprojectfund