Last week, voters in the two districts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk voted against proposals for a full merger of the two authorities which would have saved £800,000 a year. So what next? Joint chief executive Charlie Adan, who took on the job only last month, outlines the councils' plans for transformation, despite the voters' verdict

The decision not to back the merger of two Suffolk district councils – Babergh and Mid Suffolk – by a small majority of the 64,000 residents who turned out to vote – was disappointing.