One Suffolk plan gains county-wide backing as Government launches consultation

It comes as the Government launches a consultation on the future of local councils in Suffolk, which is likely to see either one or as many as three councils tasked with delivering services for the next 50 years.

Millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money is at stake, as is the sustainability and delivery of critical public services like social care, highways and housing.

Suffolk businessman, Richard Brame, said:

"I would like to see one unitary council that is better connected but better connected with business too. So, when we are looking to have a discussion about property, broadband or rates, we know where to go. Nobody does at the moment and frequently it’s more than one place.

“If this was a business, there would be no question. Would you have three CFOs, or would you have one? Would you have three HR departments, or would you have one?

“From a business perspective, from a strategic perspective, one unitary is a really obvious route to go down.”

Pete Waters, executive director of Visit East Anglia, said: 

“Visitors do not recognise current district authority geographies, they go where they want in Suffolk. Visitors do recognise counties. LGR offers the opportunity for Visit East of England (VEE) to market locations based on their draw for visitors, rather than arbitrary council boundaries.

“Working with one county unitary would give VEE the opportunity to contribute to the bigger strategic picture for Suffolk’s visitor economy, rather than focus on arbitrary boundaries.”

Nick Hulme, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The fragmentation that would result from dividing governance and service provision across three councils poses potential risks to patient care continuity and system efficiency.

“A multicouncil model would likely perpetuate the postcode lottery we already contend with - where patients face unequal access to services depending on their location.

“A single unitary council would provide a unified governance structure, enabling consistent policy, streamlined decision-making, and more effective joint planning across the region.”

Prema Fairburn-Dorai, Suffolk Care Association chairperson, said:

“Although it is not the ideal solution to the social care crisis, the majority of our members are in favour of a One Suffolk model as it will in the long run cause less disruption and will afford continuity of services to vulnerable individuals in Suffolk.”

David Barker MBE, Suffolk farmer, said: 

“It will make life so much easier for farmers to have a consistent approach from one council. We have one farm at Westhorpe and one at Great Ashfield, and under the three tier proposal they would be in different areas – which really wouldn’t make a lot of sense.  

“I’ve also been involved with the local access forum, and we work with one Suffolk County Council across the whole of Suffolk. That makes so much more sense than having three different councils with three different local access forums.

”The One Suffolk business case demonstrates that a single unitary for Suffolk is the only financially viable option. In the first five years, it will see savings of £78.2 million, while three councils would cost a £145.3 million more than the current two-tier system.

"Additionally, one council would save £39.4 million a year from year six, whereas three would cost £13.1 million more than the current model. The business case is built on rigorous financial analysis of Suffolk-based data conducted by global advisory firm Grant Thornton, rather than using generic national modelling as used in the three-council model."

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs, said: 

“The time has come for everyone in Suffolk to let the government know their views on the future of local councils. Do we want a local authority that is smarter, simpler and better - leading to better outcomes for residents and businesses? Or a factional group of councils that would pit different areas against each other and be in financial peril from day one?  

“Detailed analysis has shown that One Suffolk would save £39.4 million each year, meaning town and parish councils can be empowered to do more if they want, our highways services can be revitalised and a new deal for market towns backed by a £40 million capital investment fund can be launched. This is all possible without any loss of local identity or understanding. It will only strengthen it.  

“The alternative three-council idea is based on an unrealistic proposal and built on promises that have failed elsewhere. It would put at risk those most in need and, after five years, leave Suffolk £145.3 million in the red. Simply put, it is a reckless use of public money.

“Thousands have already engaged with us and helped shape the One Suffolk proposal. I urge everyone to have their say in the public consultation."

In addition to financial resilience, the One Suffolk plan spells out how the proposed unitary council creates key benefits for the county, including:

• Harmonising Council Tax to the lowest level across Suffolk in year one. Based on current levels, this would result in Band D properties seeing a reduction of £245 in Ipswich, £17 in East Suffolk, £29 in West Suffolk, £19 in Babergh and a freeze in Mid Suffolk.
• A new deal for market towns, including Ipswich, backed by a £40 million capital investment fund, and a review of car parking charges and markets conducted in consultation with traders, businesses and representative bodies.
• Empowering communities by offering powers and funding to town and parish councils where these councils express a desire for additional responsibilities. Creating a new town council for Ipswich to enhance democratic representation.
• Building a strong, flourishing, and resilient local economy that serves all residents, businesses, and communities.
• A stronger voice for Suffolk through effective collaboration with the new mayor, focusing on clear investment priorities that maximise benefits.

One Suffolk is one of two proposals being consulted on by the government. The alternative, from Suffolk’s districts and borough councils, would see Suffolk split into three arbitrary council areas, putting key services such as social care at serious risk and costing millions to set up.

The three unitary proposal relies on business cases produced elsewhere in the country that have since proved undeliverable. It does not address the enormous risks and costs associated with splitting up critical services such as social care and children’s services and poses clear risks to the most vulnerable people in Suffolk.

Not only would three councils cost significantly more than a single unitary for Suffolk - it would also cost more than the current two-tier system. By creating three new areas across Suffolk, essential county-wide services like adult social care and children’s services must be disaggregated - resulting in higher costs and a postcode lottery for the county’s most vulnerable residents.

The public consultation on the future of local councils in Suffolk will be live until 11 January 2026. After the consultation period, Government ministers will be making their final decision on how to proceed with LGR in Suffolk in early 2026.