Suffolk’s vision for nature recovery
Suffolk County Council is one of 48 responsible authorities in England, appointed by The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to lead on preparing its LNRS.
The council’s cabinet will seek to approve it for publication at their meeting on Tuesday 9 September.
The strategy’s aim is to address the decline in nature, identify ways to help it recover and deliver wider benefits such as reducing flood risk.
“This is an important document; it will hopefully be the catalyst to reversing the decline in Suffolk’s nature.”
Together these strategies will form a national ‘nature network’, proposing actions such as the creation of wetlands, restoration of peatlands, planting of trees and hedgerows, and more sustainable management of existing woodlands and other habitats like grasslands.
Other Suffolk local authorities, nature experts, farmers and a wide range of interested organisations have contributed to Suffolk’s strategy, along with members of the public.
The process of creating the strategy began in 2022 and has had over 50,000 Suffolk engagements recorded at over 250 events. This culminated in a public consultation in Spring this year, with over 500 responses.
“What this process has shown us, is that nature truly means a great deal to the people of Suffolk.
“There is a clear passion for caring for wildlife, but also recognition of the physical and mental health benefits of a thriving natural environment.
“I’d like to thank members of the public, landowners and experts for their contributions, enabling us to agree priorities for nature recovery in Suffolk and propose the actions to reverse this decline.
“This is an important document, it will hopefully be the catalyst to reversing the decline in Suffolk’s nature. In turn, this can help in many other ways by mitigating inland flooding risk, creating new green spaces to improve our health and wellbeing, and supporting farmers to bring new funding into the rural economy and generate employment and training opportunities.”
Suffolk has worked very closely with Norfolk County Council, who are also preparing their own LNRS. The authorities formed the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership, to identify common themes and opportunities to enable nature recovery support.
Subject to approval by the cabinet at Suffolk County Council, the LNRS will then be shared with district and borough councils and the Broads Authority for a final consultation before publication by the end of October.
32,000 solar panels and counting for Solar Together Suffolk project
The group-buying programme enables Suffolk residents to buy solar panels and battery storage, helping to save money on their energy bills and cut carbon emissions.
It is backed by Suffolk County Council and all local borough and district councils.
Solar Together Suffolk has been running for seven years, and in that time has:
installed 32,024 solar panels at 2,651 Suffolk households
installed 1,768 battery storage systems
reduced 1,900 tonnes of carbon emissions across the county
“Homes still account for nearly a quarter of all Suffolk’s CO2 emissions. But we are helping homeowners and landlords reduce these through initiatives like Solar Together Suffolk, and the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan.”
It’s free to register with Solar Together Suffolk and receive an installation quote - there is no obligation to go ahead with the installation.
The project helps homeowners feel confident that they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from qualified installers, and increases their independence from the national grid.
The scheme not only offers solar panels, but also battery storage and EV chargepoints. Customers who have already invested in solar panels can also get quotes for battery storage, to get more from the renewable energy they generate.
“Solar Together Suffolk has installed an impressive 11.7 MW of solar panels across Suffolk homes.
“Many Suffolk customers have told us that the main reason for installing solar panels was for the benefit of the climate and environment, followed by saving money on bills and reducing their reliance on the grid.
“Homes still account for nearly a quarter of all Suffolk’s CO2 emissions. But we are helping homeowners and landlords reduce these through initiatives like Solar Together Suffolk, and the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan.
“We want to help residents make their homes and lifestyles as sustainable and energy efficient as possible – whether through improving insulation, how homes are heated, electric vehicle infrastructure, or solar panels and batteries.”
Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, said:
“With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of Suffolk are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid.
“The Solar Together Suffolk group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider.”
Extra event for aspiring firefighters announced following unprecedented demand
The FREE one-hour virtual session will take place online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 9 September from 6 pm. It is open to anyone aged 18 and over, with no maximum age limit and no requirement to be a Suffolk resident.
The Service ran a series of virtual and in-person taster sessions in August, with the latter hosted at fire stations across the county. These gave attendees an insight into the life of a wholetime firefighter, and the recruitment and training processes. Participants who attended in person were also able to meet the recruitment team and serving firefighters, who showed them around the station and equipment.
These sessions proved extremely popular, prompting the Service to take the highly unusual step of adding an additional virtual event to meet demand.
Tickets for the added session are available on a first come, first served basis, so the team advises that anyone interested should book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. You can register via Eventbrite - Suffolk Fire and Rescue Wholetime Taster Session- Virtual Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite.
The session is open to the public, wholetime external transfers, and on-call firefighters from Suffolk and other services. Attendance at a taster session is essential for anyone wishing to apply later this month, as it ensures that candidates fully understand the role and recruitment process.
Martyn Hazelwood, Recruitment and Retention Manager at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“This additional virtual session will be the last opportunity for anyone considering a career as a wholetime firefighter to find out what is really involved in the role and what makes our fire service such a great place to work.
“Many people who have attended our sessions have been surprised to find out that being a firefighter isn’t just about fighting fires, so it’s well worth getting a proper insight into what life is like as part of our team before applying.”
Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, added:
“This is fantastic news, not only for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service but for the county – the fact that so many people are expressing an interest in becoming a firefighter shows how valued the role is and how committed our community is to public safety.”
Further information about becoming a wholetime firefighter is available via the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service recruitment website: https://suffolk-firefighters.co.uk/wholetime-firefighter/
Saving Suffolk £39.4 million a year and enhancing local services – One Suffolk plan revealed
Millions of pounds of public money would be saved and reinvested in frontline services and benefits for the whole of Suffolk, if the Government backs a new plan published today (Monday 8 September).
The ambitious proposal will see all of Suffolk’s six councils abolished and replaced with one new unitary council - which would deliver both local and county-wide services.
The One Suffolk business case demonstrates that a single unitary for Suffolk will save £78.2 million after the first five years, while three councils would cost an eye-watering £145.3 million more than the current two-tier system. After the first five years, one council would save £39.4 million a year, whereas three would cost £13.1 million more than the current model. The business case is built on rigorous financial analysis of Suffolk-based data conducted by global advisory firm Grant Thornton, rather than generic national modelling.
One Suffolk would have the capacity to create real improvements to council services which would benefit everyone, including:
Improved financial resilience, enabling the unitary council to free up resources for frontline services and keep council tax as low as possible.
Harmonising Council Tax to the lowest level across Suffolk. Based on current levels this would result in Band D properties seeing a reduction of £245 in Ipswich, £17 in East Suffolk, £29 in West Suffolk, £19 in Babergh and a freeze in Mid Suffolk.
A new deal for market towns, including Ipswich, backed by a £40m capital investment fund, and a review of car parking charges and markets conducted in consultation with traders, businesses and representative bodies.
Empowering communities by offering powers and funding to town and parish councils where these councils express a desire for additional responsibilities. Creating a new town council for Ipswich to enhance democratic representation.
A proactive and revitalised highways service that says ‘yes’ more - acting swiftly, communicating clearly and delivering more.
Creating a unified planning framework that delivers greater consistency, efficiency, and strategic alignment across Suffolk, paired with local planning committees so decisions are made close to home.
Leveraging technology and innovation to create a modern council prepared for future challenges.
Building a strong, flourishing, and resilient local economy that serves all residents, businesses, and communities.
A stronger voice for Suffolk through effective collaboration with the new mayor, focusing on clear investment priorities that maximise benefits.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs, said:
“I am certain that One Suffolk will deliver the greatest possible savings and the greatest improvement to services of any of the proposals put to government.
“It will save a net £39.4m each year, which, amongst other things, will enable the new council to establish a new locality model backed by 16 locality teams, empower towns and parish councils that want to do more to take on funding and responsibilities, and deliver initiatives like a new deal for Market Towns and Ipswich which is backed by a £40m capital investment pot and a full review of car parking and markets conducted hand-in-hand with business.
“When we go through a process like this and tell residents it will save money, it is only fair they feel that benefit on day one of the new council. That is why we back harmonising Council Tax to the lowest level in Suffolk. Currently this would see everyone in Suffolk have their bills reduced, apart from in Mid Suffolk where bills would be frozen at the same level.
“We are very clear that this would be a brand-new council with a new culture and a new relationship with residents, businesses, community and voluntary organisations and town and parish councils. Too often our existing councils, both county and district or borough, start from a position of no. We’ve heard this loud and clear and have built the One Suffolk proposal around enabling what people want to see locally and giving them access to their local council.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their engagement with the One Suffolk campaign. We spoke directly to residents, members of the business community, voluntary, community, faith and social enterprises, parish and town councils, and political stakeholders and other key influencers.
“Together we have created a plan for Suffolk that we can all proudly stand behind.”
One Suffolk was developed by Suffolk County Council in response to Government’s call to reorganise local government across the country and move away from the current two-tier system that has been in place since 1974.
This is the first of two business cases expected from Suffolk’s councils outlining their proposed plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in the county.
Under the One Suffolk proposal is the creation of a brand-new organisation with new councillors, innovative service delivery methods, and streamlined local communications and accountability. This isn’t just a continuation or expansion of the existing structure. One Suffolk will forge new relationships with town and parish councils, businesses, voluntary groups, and public sector organisations.
The alternative proposal from the districts and borough councils, to split Suffolk into three arbitrary council areas, could put key services such as social care at serious risk. It would also cost many millions to set up.
By creating three new areas across Suffolk, essential county-wide services like adult social care and children’s services must be disaggregated - resulting in higher costs and a postcode lottery for the county’s most vulnerable residents.
The One Suffolk campaign engaged communities from across Suffolk, with 8,189 responses to our Residents’ Survey. This made it the largest survey response rate for the county council in the past decade.
Window now open to apply for primary and secondary school places
The deadline for applications to secure a place at a secondary school is Friday 31 October 2025 and for primary school places, including infant and junior schools, the deadline is Thursday 15 January 2026.
All applications received by the relevant closing date are processed at the same time using the schools’ oversubscription criteria to prioritise applications when necessary. Late applications are processed after all of those received on time.
Last year, Suffolk County Council received over 14,700 on time applications for pupils wishing to start at a primary or infant school, or to transfer to a junior school, or into Year 7 at a secondary school from September 2025.
94% of applicants received offers for their first preference school and 98.4% of applicants received an offer for one of their top three preferred schools.
Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND said:
“Parents and carers need to carefully consider which schools to apply for on behalf of their child. They need to make sure they complete and submit their application by the closing date to give them the best chance of getting a place at one of their preferred schools. We recommend that parents and carers apply for more than one school, and they can list up to three schools on their application.”
“I would strongly advise that parents and carers think about how their child will travel to school before they apply for a school place. It is important that parents and carers check which is their child’s nearest suitable school on our Nearest School Checker because this might not be their catchment area school. This can be found at
http://nearestschool.suffolk.gov.uk/.”
Further information on SCC’s School Travel Policy can be found at www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel.
Parents and carers should apply online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions as they will receive confirmation that their application has been received. If for any reason they are unable to apply online they should apply on a paper application (CAF1). Suffolk County Council is unable to acknowledge receipt of paper applications and therefore suggest that proof of posting is obtained.
If families are planning to move house or think their circumstances may change before next September, it is still important to make an application on time using the current address. It is recommended to apply for schools based on the current address in case the proposed move falls through. Advice and guidance about this process is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.
Families who apply online will be able to log on to the Online Service on National Offer Day, which is Monday 2 March 2026 for secondary school places and Thursday 16 April 2026 for primary school places, to see their offer of a school place, and they will receive an email to confirm this offer on the same day. Offer letters will be sent by second class post to applicants who made a paper application.
Information to help parents and carers make their application is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.