Cllr Steve Wiles

23/06/2026

And back to bins.
Not sure how much longer this fiasco will continue.
Again - the responsible council suggests only using the link on their website to report issues.

https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling-and-waste/household-bin-collections/missed-bin-collections?fbclid=IwdGRjcASnwg1jbGNrBKfCCWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpuuYFQRJKFd_buZxge7f1O8FTjlZ4VrGYfv3WJAHSxqr3NOmLZeQHmdmLGu_aem_rCbBAAjy4C47p8Crxm89Qw

How to report a missed bin collection.

23/06/2026

Enjoy - but stay safe !

If you're planning to BBQ while watching the England game, before you strike a match, please make sure your setup is completely safe.

A backyard fire can get out of hand incredibly fast. Here is your quick garden fire safety checklist:

📏 The 3-Meter Rule: Always place your BBQ, fire pit, or chiminea at least 3 meters away from fences, sheds, overhanging branches, and outdoor furniture.

💨 Watch the Wind: Check the wind direction before lighting a fire. Strong gusts can easily carry hot embers into dry grass, bushes, or onto your neighbour’s property.

💦 Douse, Don't Just Leave: Charcoal and wood embers can retain heat and smoulder for up to 24 hours. When the night is over, douse the ashes thoroughly with water. Never dump hot ash into a plastic bin!

❌ Skip the Accelerants: Never spray lighter fluid or petrol onto a fire that is already lit. The flame can travel up the stream instantly.

Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby just in case. Stay safe and enjoy the flames (and the match) responsibly! 🙌

21/06/2026

Well, after around 8-9 years of sitting on FTC planning committees, I'm back starting this week..

With less than a year before a new council is elected- let's see if I can make planning more understandable for our community.

Agendas are (as always) available on the FTC page -and I will be sharing -

Feel free to comment, or ask a question .

Meetings of the Town Council and its Committees are open to the press and public who are welcome to attend. Members of the public are invited to make representations or put questions to the Committee during the public session. There is a limit to the number of public attending in-person. If you wish...

20/06/2026

Division amongst the new SCC councillor cohort . The clock is ticking to Devolution and LGR go live - Suffolk needs its authorities to work together in the best interest of the future of Suffolk.

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/26213103.suffolk-county-council-still-share-reform-challenge-plans/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcASju5NjbGNrBKO7AWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHhMWjGIITlqQUERq6UqAZHAhsK5GgsjOC_v4xLjS8EISEjwYGBKLQW92qrKk_aem_CVpnypF3VWILPsdUOoQteA =1781958078

An extraordinary meeting of the Suffolk County Council’s cabinet has been called on June 29 to discuss challenging the government's reform…

19/06/2026

An Extraordinary Cabinet meeting has been scheduled for 29 June, to discuss a proposed legal challenge to Local Government Reorganisation here in Suffolk.
This is a significant decision. A decision to launch a legal challenge at this stage should be made in public.

The Government’s White Paper on LGR was released in December 2024. Hundreds of hours of debate and discussion followed. All Suffolk authorities worked on business cases and submitted them for a decision.

The Government even asked whether holding elections in May might cause delays or pressures in delivering LGR. That question has proved relevant.

Residents now deserve clear answers before public money is committed to what could be a lengthy and costly legal process.

Papers will be published 5 days before the meeting - including a link to view live.

18/06/2026

Felixstowe Town Council has formally submitted its corporate response to the statutory proposal to permanently close Felixstowe School’s Sixth Form and reduce the school’s age range from 11–18 to 11–16. At its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday 17 June 2026, the Town Council debated the consultat...

18/06/2026

Unsurprisingly, the decision against a one unitary authority option was contrary to advice and purely political.

Ministers went against advice from civil servants when they decided Norfolk's councils should be axed and replaced with three new ones, it can…

17/06/2026

UPDATE :

A passionate and interesting debate.

I spoke to the proposed motion at FTC Wednesday evening, supporting suspending the permanency decision, and opening meaningful immediate dialog. I pressed that the focus should be on Felixstowe based future education provision, not on free bus passes elsewhere.

Unanimous support for the motion across the chamber.

Expecting a response once the consultation is closed. . .

SCC confirmed

SCC Cabinet met yesterday.
Post-16 travel charges for 2026/2027 are now confirmed at £1,050 for a mainstream seat, £780 for SEND.

That’s the extra cost pressure on Felixstowe parents if USP closes Felixstowe School Sixth Form.

We understand Trusts face financial pressures. However, removing the only state post-16 provision from a town of 24,000+ people is not the answer.

Tonight at Felixstowe Town Council, we will be discussing Unity Schools Partnership’s closure proposal.

Now is the time for USP to enter constructive dialogue — sit down with FTC, East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council, the DfE, local employers, and our community.

This evening is about partnership and solutions, not just protest.

Let’s work together to keep post-16 education in Felixstowe.

I will be updating.

Consultation closes 30 June:

https://www.fxs.org.uk/2026/06/02/sixth-form-consultation/

17/06/2026

For those who have a few moments to spare, here is a really good read.
Highlighting some of the ongoing difficulties faced due to local government reorganisation (LGR).
As the plan evolves it will be interesting to read how much the Ipswich centric document author's know or understand Felixstowe and the areas south of their current boarders it will /could/might affect.

https://www.ipswich.co.uk/planning-ipswichs-future-in-the-shadow-of-local-government-reorganisation/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASfUdVjbGNrBJ9RYmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvqsO9AO4MaZM2-v1ZpN-iKCcZuSA7TULgqv8oLVZrK4jflw8up39rVcc4KS_aem_zQ4bbuo64kg4ky2eUjORZA

Ipswich Borough Council is legally required to begin writing a new blueprint for the town's future development, but the authority doing the writing may not exist by the time it's finished. It's one of the more peculiar and consequential paradoxes thrown up by local government reorganisation.