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January 2026
Help Keep an Older Person Safer in 2026
Did you know? While cold calling itself is allowed, traders must respect "No Cold Callers" notices - it's actually against the law if they don't! As a dedicated home care provider since 1980, we've made it our mission to help protect older and disabled people in our community. We're proud to have distributed over 250,000 of these protective stickers since 2019.
Do you know of someone who would like to receive one of these? If so, simply reply to this email or call us on 01603 764567. Rest assured, we keep privacy in mind - we don't store any personal information or share it with others. If you have a Newsletter, Magazine or FB page and would like to mention this offer, we are happy for you to do so.
With warm wishes from Able Community Care your live-in care specialists, based in Norfolk, but supporting families across the UK since 1980.
Chris Cook email: chris@ablecommunitycare.com
October 2025
Urgent Dental Care
Urgent care dental appointments are available across Suffolk within 1 to 7 days by contacting NHS 111. Adults and children experiencing dental pain, infection and other urgent issues can access NHS care seven days a week, including in the evenings. Go online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for an appointment.
Keeping people warm this winter
Organisations and groups delivering projects which focus on keeping people warm, well-fed and connected to their community are invited to apply for funding to support their efforts.
Applications for the 2025/26 Cost of Living Community Grants are now open, with the scheme returning for a fourth year.
Community groups, voluntary organisations, and town and parish councils are invited to apply for grants of up to £2,000 (minimum £500) to support a range of projects.
Previous projects supported by the scheme include smaller ‘Warm Welcomes’ providing a warm space, cooking on a budget classes, support for food projects which are likely to see demand rise over the winter months, and many more. This year's scheme can also provide funding for community pantries and uniform banks.
Applications for the scheme close at 9am on Monday 20 October and applications will be considered on a rolling basis, or until all the funds have been allocated.
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk’s cabinet member with responsibility for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism said:
“We are pleased to see this grant scheme return for another year, which will support those all-important projects that help the most vulnerable in the community. Winter can be a difficult period for some, and projects such as Warm Welcomes, community pantries and uniform banks are a lifeline for many people.”
“More than 75 projects across the district have previously been supported through the scheme, and we hope to continue to support groups in the coming months.”
The grants are funded by East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council through the Suffolk Collaborative Communities Board.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/4713QBD
Emily Nunn | Communications and Marketing Apprentice
East Suffolk Council
www.eastsuffolkmeansbusiness.co.uk
August 2025
Public Consultation on Community Involvement in Planning Policy
To have your say click: https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/localplanning
July 2025
PCC Update July 2025
Suffolk maintains position as third lowest crime rate
Welcome to the PCC’s July update which includes the hot-off-the press news that Suffolk Constabulary has maintained its position as one of the safest counties in England and Wales, an update on the most recent Accountability and Performance Panel, information about the Safer Streets Summer Campaign and an invitation to become an independent custody visitor. Links are provided to access further information on each of these subjects if you wish.
I do hope you find this update informative, and if you are receiving this on behalf of an organisation, please circulate as you feel appropriate.
Latest crime figures released this week by the Office of National Statistics show Suffolk remains in the top three counties in England and Wales where people are least likely to be victims of crime.
Suffolk PCC Tim Passmore said: “It’s great news to hear Suffolk remains one of the safest places in the country in which to live, work, travel and invest.
“Suffolk is a good force, but it is a small force covering a huge geographic area and is also one of the lowest-funded forces in the country. To be ranked third for the lowest levels of recorded crime in England and Wales for four consecutive quarters is a tremendous achievement and I’d like to thank officers, staff and volunteers for their unstinting commitment to maintain this favourable position.
"The decrease of some crime types is very encouraging but it is important not to be complacent. We are well aware the data does not show the whole story because too much crime goes unreported which is why we need everyone to report the crime when it occurs. The stats show we need to do more to reduce levels of sexual offences in the county, along with shoplifting and domestic burglary and I will be monitoring this through my accountability and performance meetings where I discuss performance with the Chief Constable.”
“Suffolk Constabulary continues to punch well above its weight in the national arena and we should all be pleased and reassured by this.”
Latest crime figures show Suffolk remains ‘high performing’ force - Suffolk PCC
Accountability & Performance
The most recent Accountability and Performance Panel is now available to view. This is the meeting where the PCC holds the Constabulary to account on behalf of the public.
In the July meeting the PCC received the financial monitoring update, discussed confidence and satisfaction, road safety, responding to calls for assistance and the use of police powers, and reviewed the workforce report.
Watch the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4oT9bWdzsU
The papers for the meeting are available at: Accountability and Performance Panel – Friday 11 July 2025 - Suffolk PCC
There is a public question element to the meeting so if you have a question about policing please send it through two days before the next meeting, which will be held on Friday 12th September.
Safer Streets Summer Initiative
Suffolk, Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore has launched the Safer Streets Summer Initiative - an ambitious, united effort to make our town centres safer and more welcoming.
Part of a national campaign, Suffolk Constabulary along with local authorities, local partners and community organisations will be carrying out activity to help prevent and address antisocial behaviour (ASB), retail crime and street crime in our communities over the summer.
The Safer Streets Summer Initiative will focus on nine Suffolk towns: Beccles, Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe, Ipswich – town centre and waterfront, Lowestoft, Newmarket, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Woodbridge.
PCC launches united effort to make our town centres safer - Suffolk PCC
Vital role of Independent Custody Visitors celebrated
Suffolk’s Independent Custody Visitors attended the Regional Conference for Independent Custody Visitors in Norfolk last month. The event was attended by over 50 volunteers, including some representatives from the Appropriate Adults service.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Independent Custody Visitor role or would like to get involved please see our Independent Custody Visitors page.
Regional Conference for Independent Custody Visitors
Sandra Graffham
Head of Communications and Engagement
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk
01473 782777
07725 923632
suffolk-pcc.gov.uk
COUNCIL REORGANISATION AFFECTS US ALL - SO HAVE YOUR SAY TODAY
A new survey giving residents the opportunity to shape the future of councils and public services in Suffolk has been launched. It’s part of the Government plan to reshape and streamline councils in Suffolk to save money, reduce confusion and improve public services for residents.
The survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete, and can be done online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/devolution, by emailing devolution@suffolk.gov.uk or by calling 0345 603 1842 where a member of Suffolk County Council’s customer services team can help residents to complete the survey. People can also visit any of Suffolk’s 45 libraries to complete the survey online. It asks questions about local democracy – such as how you raise issues that need addressing, local decision making – such as how you might want to get involved and about the specifics of council reorganisation itself.
The survey is open for eight weeks – until 4 August 2025.
The survey will play a part in helping Suffolk County Council to develop a comprehensive business plan that looks at the best way to organise councils and deliver public services in Suffolk – so that the Government has all the information it needs to decide which proposal(s) to put out to public consultation. From best practice elsewhere in the country to the costs of various options currently on the table, no stone is being left unturned. Whilst a final proposal is still to be developed, Suffolk County Council believes that a new single local council is the smartest, simplest, and best option for the whole of Suffolk which will deliver the biggest savings and most sustainable service improvements.
The council argues that any alternatives will have to work hard to justify the risks of breaking up critical services like social care, creating new council boundaries and smaller population sizes. Early analysis by financial consultants PwC suggests that establishing a single new local council could cost around £19 million but that this could be repaid quickest through the significant financial savings achieved by having one council.
Alternatively, the cost of breaking Suffolk into two or even three – as proposed by Suffolk’s district and borough councils - would cost £7 million to £13 million more and, in the case of three new councils, that investment would never be repaid as there would be no savings to be found.
June 2025
A Devolution Deal for Suffolk
The government has announced that Suffolk is one of only a handful of areas on the devolution priority programme.
Have your say
We're keen to hear your views on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Suffolk. Have your say by completing our survey which runs until Monday 4 August 2025.
If you'd like help completing the survey or require it in another format, please email devolution@suffolk.gov.uk or contact us on 0345 603 1842.
Suffolk’s 50-year-old two-tier council structure is set to change with the government proposing to abolish county, borough and district councils and replace them with a new unitary council arrangement and a directly elected mayor. Read the press release to learn more.
It's part of the government's English Devolution White Paper, which seeks to simplify and streamline council structures so it's easier for residents to understand and save taxpayers money.
In response, Suffolk County Council is proposing to replace all six councils with one new council, delivering all services, local and county-wide.
A Mayor for Suffolk and Norfolk
The government's consultation on its proposals to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority across Suffolk and Norfolk closed on 13 April 2025. You can View the consultation documents on the main Government website.
You can read Suffolk County Council's response to the consultation below:
Local government reorganisation
Suffolk County Council’s cabinet has approved an interim plan for local government reorganisation in Suffolk, which sets out the significant benefits of scrapping Suffolk’s six councils and replacing them with just one new authority.
For further information click: A Devolution Deal for Suffolk - Suffolk County Council
June 2025
Cratfield Parish Council Awarded Grant to Improve the Play Area
Cratfield Parish Council is pleased to announce it has received a grant from East Suffolk District Council’s Outdoor Playing Space Fund.
The funding has been used to replace the two swing seats and chains in the village play area and to purchase additional rubber chipping. The new chipping will be laid beneath the play equipment in the autumn to improve safety and ensure a softer landing surface for children.
The Council is grateful for this support, which will help maintain a safe and welcoming space for families in the parish.
March 2025
Devolution and Local Government - Where are we now?
Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution Consultation - GOV.UK
Local Government Reorganisation in Suffolk
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