Why it matters: The spending debate highlights tensions over how public money should be used to inform residents about local government changes, with opposition councillors arguing the funds could be better spent on services like roads and special educational needs support.
The details: Opposition councillors claimed the spending had reached around £100,000 over two months, including £37,456 to Whistl for a county-wide leaflet campaign featuring an Alice in Wonderland theme, but the council says the actual figure as of 31 July is £82,881. It is part of a broader £1.9 million budget set aside for local government reform by the council.
The council strongly disputes that costs were "exposed", stating they have been transparent from the beginning and that extensive public engagement is a government requirement.
What they're saying: Andrew Stringer, Leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent Group, said: "The county council promised it would engage with residents about the changes that are coming, but rather than providing people with information about it, they are running it like a political campaign and running up bills everywhere to do it."
He added: "It's money they could better spend on maintaining our roads, or improving the service for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which still remain poor and are causing much distress for families and trauma for Suffolk children."
The other side: Richard Rout, Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reform and NSIPs, defended the spending: "We make no apology for doing everything we can to make sure people engage with LGR [local government reform], and that is why we have contacted every household in Suffolk as part of our broad mix of communications activity."
He said the campaign has generated almost 8,000 survey responses and over 50 meetings with town and parish councils, business groups and the voluntary sector.
For context: Suffolk County Council is pursuing a single unitary authority for the county, while district and borough councils favour a three-unitary approach, but the decision will ultimately be made by government ministers. All councils must submit their business cases by 26 September 2025.
The bottom line: The spending dispute reflects broader disagreements about local government reorganisation in Suffolk, with the council defending its promotional campaign as essential engagement, while critics argue it amounts to political campaigning at the taxpayers' expense.
