The government has announced its decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Suffolk in 2028, opting for three unitary authorities – despite clear evidence that this is not the best outcome for Suffolk.
This is a major milestone in the future of local government in the county and reshapes how councils are structured and how services are delivered across the county.
Each of the three new unitary councils will cover their own new geographical area: West Suffolk, East Suffolk, and South Suffolk and Ipswich.
Cllr Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said:
“I am astounded that the government has made the decision to divide our great county through the creation of three independent authorities based on random geographies. LGR provided a huge opportunity to improve the services our residents rely on, and I strongly believe that a single authority was the only way to do this.
“Dividing our county into three new areas carries huge risks to service provision for vulnerable people and long-term financial resilience. Throughout the process we have been clear that a single authority for the whole county would not only be the most financially resilient, saving £40 million a year, but it would also be the best option for improving service delivery.
“I strongly believe the three council case for change lacked significant supporting evidence and delivery plans, making the Government’s decision even more ludicrous. Senior leaders from across Suffolk highlighted their concerns with the plan, however, their views appear to have been ignored.”
Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reform and NSIPs, said:
“This decision threatens the future financial stability of local government in Suffolk, and I fear the net result will be substantial cuts to local services. The One Suffolk proposal clearly outlined how one council is the only financially viable option, offering the best opportunity to improve local services.
“Splitting up key county-wide services that vulnerable residents rely on, such as adult social care and children’s services, is an enormous risk. Not only will it put those most in need at risk, Government opting for three new councils means Suffolk will be £145 million worse off in the first 5 years and £13 million worse off every year thereafter.
“We’ve been sold the fairytale that smaller councils must be more local, however three new councils will mean three sets of senior staff, three sets of back-office services and three times the bureaucracy. I stand by the fact that a single council for Suffolk is the smartest, simplest and best option for our county and think a significant opportunity has been missed but I’ve come to expect little else from this hopeless Government.”
The creation of three unitary authorities for Suffolk will mean the abolition of all Suffolk’s councils:
- Suffolk County Council
- East Suffolk Council
- West Suffolk Council
- Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils
- Ipswich Borough Council
While detailed boundaries are still being finalised, the creation of three unitary councils, West Suffolk, East Suffolk, and South Suffolk and Ipswich, means that from May 2028 the new councils will replace the following:
- West Suffolk: West Suffolk Council, as well as parts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council
- East Suffolk: East Suffolk Council, as well as parts of Mid Suffolk Council
- South Suffolk and Ipswich: Ipswich Borough Council as well as parts of Babergh Council, and East Suffolk Council
Elections for the new shadow authorities will take place in May 2027, with the new councils formally taking over responsibilities from May 2028. This transition period will enable detailed work for reorganisation to take place, and services will be delivered as usual throughout the process.
Additionally, each new authority would be responsible for the delivery of the services previously undertaken by the County Council in their specific area. The new councils would have responsibility for delivering services including waste collection, planning, adult social care, children’s services, highways and more.
