Suffolk answers Government’s question on LGR capacity

Suffolk County Council has written to the government detailing the scale of the work needed to deliver local government reorganisation (LGR) in the county.

It follows a request from ministers for council leaders in 63 areas of the country to explain the implications of delaying their 2026 elections on the major reorganisation programme. The government will then make the decision on whether to postpone the polls.

Suffolk County Council leader, Councillor Matthew Hicks, said:

“We are entering the most capacity-intensive phase of the LGR timetable and have responded to the government answering the question they asked of us. My Cabinet and I have been clear throughout this process that only the government has the legal power to delay elections, it is not a decision that can be taken locally.

“Following our full council and cabinet meetings earlier this week, we have responded giving the detail the government requested. It is clear that this period of the LGR process requires Suffolk County Council to complete complex planning on new council models, undertake negotiations on government legislation, and finalise critical decisions across a wide range of services and functions within the council, alongside delivering everyday services. It is also clear that these tasks cannot be paused or deferred without undermining the safety and stability of the transition.

“Suffolk County Council remains ready to work constructively with the government as the LGR process progresses and we await the Secretary of State’s decision on whether the elections will or will not proceed this year.”

In the letter, in answer to the Government’s question, the council identifies five critical capacity pressures associated with LGR and local elections happening at the same time. These include a direct clash between the most resource-intensive phase of LGR and the post-election pressure; the diversion of senior officers and specialist teams into election support and governance roles; insufficient time for newly elected councillors to understand and oversee complex reorganisation decisions; increased risk to the continuity of vital frontline services; and the added burden of misaligned election cycles creating repeated disruption, cost and instability.

Together, these pressures would significantly reduce the council’s ability to deliver a safe, effective and timely reorganisation while maintaining essential public services.

Only central government has the authority to decide whether elections are postponed, and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.

The letter comes after councillors held extraordinary full council and cabinet meetings to discuss the ministerial request, and formally agreed for the leader of the council to submit a response to the government.