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Council spends 77p in every pound on care services as funding gap grows

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Suffolk County Council has revealed that children's and adult care now consumes 77 pence of every pound spent as it appeals to the Chancellor for additional local government funding ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Budget.

The big picture: The council says public funding is not keeping pace with service demands despite implementing cost-saving measures over the past five years.

Why it matters: The outcome could affect residents in two ways:

  • Future council tax rates could be impacted

  • Public service delivery may need to be reviewed

Entrance to Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building
Endeavour House in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers:

  • 77p of every £1 goes to children's and adult care services.

  • The council has made savings over 5 years, but reports its budget gap continues to grow.

What they're saying: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Richard Smith MVO, said in a letter to the Chancellor: "We accept fully how demand for funding for public services is universal, with all eyes looking towards the Treasury for urgent financial relief."

He added: "The council feels it essential that the pressures facing local authorities are fully recognised by government and reflected in the local government settlement."

Looking ahead: The Chancellor's Autumn Budget statement is scheduled for Wednesday.

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Nine arrests made in Ipswich police operation targeting road criminals

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during a multi-agency day of action in Ipswich last week.

Why it matters: The operation targeted criminals using Ipswich's road network while also focusing on dangerous driving behaviours that contribute to fatal collisions.

The big picture: The intelligence-led operation involved nine partner agencies and took place on Tuesday, 22 April at a check site at Sainsbury's in Hadleigh Road, aiming to disrupt organised crime groups that operate across county borders.

Police arrested nine people and stopped more than 100 vehicles
More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during the latest operationSuffolk Constabulary

By the numbers:

  • 71 vehicles were escorted to the check site, with just 14 found clear of offences

  • 63 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the site

  • 129 additional speeding offences were detected in surrounding areas

  • Five vehicles were seized for various offences

The details: Police made four arrests, including three for drug-driving and one for a suspect wanted by Lincolnshire Police for theft. Immigration Enforcement made five further arrests after checking 51 people.

Officers focused on the "Fatal Four" offences that commonly cause serious accidents: drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt.

A motorcyclist was recorded travelling at 81mph in a 40mph zone on the A1214 London Road.

What they're saying: Sergeant Alex Kelly of the Roads and Armed Policing Team said: "Days of action like this are vital in helping us gather and share intelligence with partner agencies, and are also a great way of intensely targeting an area."

"I have attended far too many collisions where one of the 'Fatal Four' elements was a contributing factor, some of which have resulted in the loss of a loved one."

Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: "The number of arrests and traffic offences recorded show just how valuable these multi-agency days of actions are."

"I fully support these pro-active campaigns. They send out a strong, clear message to those who choose not to comply with the 'fatal four' that Suffolk Constabulary is on the case."

The bottom line: The operation was part of the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight, which focuses on criminal use of the road network and targets those committing the most dangerous driving offences.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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