Invitation to the New Strategic Direction Industry Day

I would like to invite you to a special event being held in the New Year.  This is an invitation to find out the facts about Suffolk County Council's bold response to the public finance cuts and to see whether it provides opportunities for your company.

The public spending cuts present a significant challenge to Suffolk. The New Strategic Direction is Suffolk County Council's response.  A model which looks to support and strengthen local democracy and build community capacity while finding different ways to deliver our services more efficiently and effectively.

By divesting or moving service delivery outside of the Council we believe we will be able to reduce the size of the organisation, reduce costs, cut out waste and bureaucracy - and give the people of Suffolk a better say on how they access and receive services.

As we move from concept to implementation we are inviting stakeholders to work with us on developing the detail.

On Monday, 24 January we are holding an event which you may be interested in.  The event will provide a forum for private sector organisations to understand more about our ideas and explore the opportunities our new approach may present.

In 2008 along with partners, we agreed a 20 year vision which included an ambition to create a prosperous and vibrant economy in Suffolk.  The Council plays a significant role within the local economy and we want to ensure that our approach to divestment helps Suffolk's economy to withstand the recession.  This means we are not looking to outsource all our services to a single private sector company.  Instead we want to explore with you how we can work with existing Suffolk businesses and how we can encourage multiple new Suffolk based businesses and social enterprises to be established.

To date we have had around 80 expressions of interests from those who see opportunities for divestment.  Whether you are one of those who have already contacted us or not, the event will provide an opportunity to have one to one conversations with myself and senior officers from across the Council.

I do hope you will be able to join me.  It should prove to be an interesting day. 

Places are limited so please confirm your attendance early to avoid disappointment.

Please click here to book.

Programme details will be sent out prior to the event.

For any enquiries email: nsd@suffolk.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Andrea Hill

Chief Executive - Suffolk County Council