Plans unveiled for reorganisation of council services in Suffolk
Proposals outline plans for three unitary councils to serve the county
Last updated 7th Aug 2025
Plans have been outlined today (7 August) for the reorganisation of council services in Suffolk, by forming three unitary councils.
The proposals have been jointly put forward by the five district and borough councils of Suffolk, Babergh, East Suffolk, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, and West Suffolk - who argue the changes would mean authorities offer "more responsive services to communities across the county."
The plans outline how the three councils would each serve distinct regions, anchored by Suffolk’s largest towns, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft.
The proposal comes following the results of an online survey run by the five councils, which was answered by 2,200 respondents, with more than one-third ranking “being local” as their top priority for future councils.
A joint statement from the Suffolk district and borough Leaders said: “People across Suffolk are proud of where they live, and they want decisions made by those who understand their communities.
"The Three Councils For Suffolk proposal delivers just that. It offers a balance between strong councillors’ leadership and genuine local delivery, ensuring that our towns, villages, urban centres and coastlines and the communities and businesses within these areas, all get the attention they deserve.
"By staying close to our communities, we can provide better value, greater accountability, and reinvest millions back into vital services like social care, housing and infrastructure. This is how we build a more responsive, resilient and inclusive Suffolk that works for everyone.”
Over the coming weeks work will continue to finalise the proposals, with the five councils working closely together to present an option to council meetings during September, in readiness to submit the Three Councils for Suffolk proposal on the 26 September 2025.
Opposition
In response to the proposals, Suffolk County Council said creating three new councils "would lead to increased costs and carry safeguarding risks".
It argues one new unitary council for Suffolk is "best for the county".
Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs, said:
“Their proposals are chaotic, confusing, and ultimately unworkable. They will mean higher council tax across the county, but particularly in places like Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Kesgrave the villages south of Ipswich and the Shotley peninsula, more money spent on senior staff and administration and less money going on frontline local services in Suffolk.
“The financial figures that the districts and borough are putting forward are optimistic to the point of being dangerous. We must never lose sight of the fact that the key care services we deliver support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Spurious assumptions to support an argument to protect their perceived political fiefdoms have no place in this debate.
“Breaking up key expensive care services, that are currently delivered county wide, won’t just cost more as they employ new senior teams, it will put the most vulnerable in our community at risk. They will create a postcode lottery for care, drive up costs and create boundaries where they don’t currently exist.
“The districts and borough have finally given into pressure to publish their plans, but what they have brought forward just means three sets of salaries and the same old story from local government. I remain as convinced as ever that One Suffolk is the only solution with the best interest of Suffolk’s residents at its heart.”
The five district and borough councils said they are continuing to work closely together to present an option to council meetings during September, and will submit the 'Three Councils for Suffolk' proposal to the government on the 26 September.