Local Government Reorganisation Scheme
The Government intends to replace the current system of County, District and Borough Councils in Suffolk and Norfolk with unitary councils.
These councils will combine the roles of the existing councils with the view of saving money and improving services. These changes will come into force in 2028 for Suffolk and Norfolk.
There will also be one Mayor elected for Suffolk and Norfolk in May 2026. The mayor would be in charge of what is called a combined county authority – which would be made up of Norfolk and Suffolk's councils.
The government has said the Mayor would have "greater local control" over transport, adult education and skills, and housing – and it would expect them to deliver improvements including economic development. They will also take on the responsibilities of the police and crime commissioners.
Currently the Government is consulting with County Councils, District Councils and Borough Councils on their proposals for unitary councils for Suffolk and Norfolk (deadline 26 September 2025).
Suffolk County Council would prefer one unitary council for the whole of Suffolk (750,000 residents approximately). See https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news/council-reorganisation-affects-us-all-so-have-your-say-today
Babergh, Mid Suffolk, East Suffolk, West Suffolk District Councils and Ipswich Borough Council all agree that this would not best meet the needs of different towns and villages in Suffolk and are united in proposing a 3 unitary council model serving approximately 250,000 residents each. This would ensure that everyone had local councillors who would involve local people in decision making and provide strong, local leadership.
The preferred option of three councils would each serve distinct regions anchored by Suffolk’s largest towns, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft. This meets the government guidance that the new council areas have a “clear rationale”, they are “sensible economic areas” and have “sensible geographies”.
The Three Unitary Councils plan responds directly to what people across Suffolk have said they want: councils that are local, greater accountability with local councillor leadership, and provide services that understand and reflect the needs of Suffolk’s diverse communities.
It also delivers value for money. Independent analysis by KPMG shows the model could unlock £34 million in annual savings, while allowing reinvestment of £20 million every year back into vital services such as social care, highways, and housing.
This model also strengthens the voice of Suffolk in the new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, ensuring that local issues, whether rural or urban, aren’t lost in a county-wide approach. See https://threecouncilsforsuffolk.org/ for more information and send in your thoughts and any questions.
The Ipswich and South Suffolk Unitary Council area would extend from Hadleigh in the west to Felixstowe in the east. It would include some of the parishes north of Ipswich such as Claydon, Bramford , Barham and Witnesham and include East Bergholt, Bentley and the Shotley Peninsula in the south.
If you want to have your say about these proposals to either Suffolk County Council's one unitary council proposal or the Districts' 3 council proposal then use the links above. THEY HAVE TO RESPOND TO THE GOVERNMENT BY 26 SEPTEMBER.
Map of boundaries of proposed 3 unitary councils for Suffolk
