A SUFFOLK council is pressing ahead with plans to refurbish its headquarters at a cost of more than £3m, even though its future is in doubt.An opposition proposal to put the scheme on hold has been overthrown and the proposal to upgrade Forest Heath District Council's headquarters in Mildenhall will go ahead.

A SUFFOLK council is pressing ahead with plans to refurbish its headquarters at a cost of more than £3m, even though its future is in doubt.

An opposition proposal to put the scheme on hold has been overthrown and the proposal to upgrade Forest Heath District Council's headquarters in Mildenhall will go ahead.

Ian Radford, a Liberal Democrat opposition member of the council, called for the project to be shelved for up to nine months while the Boundary Committee, which is considering the future of all councils in Suffolk, comes up with proposals for the future of local government in the county.

Forest Heath, which includes Mildenhall, Brandon and Newmarket, is the smallest district council in the county and is considered a candidate for merging to create a “unitary” council.

Mr Radford asked that only costings for necessary work on the council's offices in College Heath Road, Mildenhall, be obtained. But he was outvoted by the council's controlling Conservative group.

Geoffrey Jaggard, council leader, said: “This is a great opportunity for our residents to enjoy better facilities with more convenient services and for our staff to have proper working conditions.” He added that the cost could be offset by renting part of the building.

The Boundary Committee has been in discussions with council chiefs throughout Suffolk to work out how local government could be shaped.