Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Local government in Suffolk is changing. All county, district and borough councils are being replaced with 'unitary' councils, which will be responsible for delivering all services.
Suffolk’s district and borough councils are working together on an ambitious proposal for two or three unitary councils which will deliver services to different parts of the county.
We believe these will meet the differing needs of our diverse communities - councils that are big enough to deliver, local enough to care.
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Please provide your feedback via our online survey:
- Devolution
Find out more about the Government’s plans to form a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk and have your say - Local Government Reorganisation
Find out more about proposals to replace Suffolk County Council and the five district and borough councils, and why we propose 2-3 unitary authorities rather than one mega-council to cover the whole of Suffolk - Latest News
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Devolution
The UK government conducted an eight-week Norfolk and Suffolk devolution consultation, which ended on 13 April. The consultation sought views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas across Norfolk and Suffolk.
The consultation invited those who live and work across both counties to share their views on:
- the proposed geography
- the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Norfolk and Suffolk
- how the Mayoral Combined County Authority will make decisions
It is important to note that this consultation does not cover proposals for changes to our existing councils. Views on local government reorganisation will be sought as part of a separate process.
You can read a summary of Babergh and Mid Suffolk's response to this, which was discussed at full council meetings on 7 April and 10 April respectively, in this media release.
What is devolution?
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local authority level. It is important because decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.
What does devolution look like?
A devolution deal would create a new single body, known as a Strategic Authority, for Norfolk and Suffolk. It would initially take the form of a combined county authority.
These arrangements would be agreed prior to the first Mayoral election, which would take place in May 2026.
The key functions of the strategic authority would include strategic transport functions, such as support for buses, trains and concessionary fares, skills and driving economic growth.
What would devolution mean for us?
Here in Suffolk, all six of the county, district and borough councils would cease to exist, and be replaced by one or more unitary authorities. These brand-new authorities will take over all local government functions in the area they cover.
This means that, in the area where you live, you will only have one council to deal with, rather than two. For areas with town and parish councils, these will continue in their existing form and are not included in the unitary process.
What is the Devolution Priority Programme?
The Devolution Priority Programme is a fast-track process with additional support for areas wishing to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority at pace.
On 5 February 2025, the Government confirmed that Suffolk and Norfolk will be on the Devolution Priority Programme, which will see a regional Mayor elected in May 2026.
The Government also agreed to a request from Suffolk County Council for elections that were due to take place in May 2025 to be postponed.
What powers would the elected Mayor have?
The Mayor would be directly elected by the people of Norfolk and Suffolk. The elected Mayor would have the ability to speak directly to government ministers and secure funding for local projects. They would also be able to make important decisions, attract investment and improve infrastructure – taking a wider, strategic role spanning multiple councils.
When can we expect this to take place?
Now we have received confirmation that we are on the Priority Programme, the UK government is looking to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk by May 2026. Mayoral elections would take place in that month.
Where can I find out more?
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
The government’s long-term vision is for simpler council structures, which make it clear who is responsible for services.
At present, across Suffolk, services are split between Suffolk County Council, and one of five district or borough councils in a ‘two-tier’ arrangement.
'Two tier' means that some local services, such as some parks, allotments, cemeteries, community centres, markets etc., may also be delivered by your local town or parish council. Town and parish councils are not directly affected by these proposals.
Depending on where you live, you currently receive services from Suffolk County Council and either Babergh District Council, East Suffolk Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, West Suffolk Council or Ipswich Borough Council.
The government believes reorganising and simplifying councils can drive economic growth while delivering better public services.
Reorganisation would see all six councils in Suffolk replaced with one or more all-purpose ‘unitary’ authorities who would be responsible for all local authority services in their area.
When can we expect this to take place?
We submitted interim plans on 21 March 2025, to be followed by full plans in September. Timelines for the remainder of the LGR process are subject to the proposals received. However, elections to shadow authorities could be expected in May 2027 following consultation, with new unitaries going live in April 2028.
What’s your council’s position?
The five district and borough councils of Suffolk - Babergh, East Suffolk, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, and West Suffolk - have agreed to further develop a proposal for three unitary councils in Suffolk.
Suffolk is a county of contrasts, from coastal towns and rural villages to vibrant urban centres. The Three Councils For Suffolk proposal, launched on 7 August, recognises this diversity and is built on three strong foundations: local leadership, tailored services, and financial sustainability.
This proposal offers an alternative to Suffolk County Council’s vision of a single “mega council" which will be too large to work effectively and too remote for local residents to be heard.
Instead, we are championing a structure that is big enough to deliver, local enough to care.
You can read more about Three Councils for Suffolk on the dedicated website, or read our media release here.
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.
It will:
- Put residents first, with services delivered by councils that know their communities.
- Empower town and parish councils making sure they are fully engaged in decision-making.
- Support businesses by aligning council structures with Suffolk’s real economic geography.
- Enable the voluntary and community sector to thrive through better engagement and fairer funding.
- Enable councils to continue to work together across Suffolk where there is commonality of service, through shared service arrangements for additional efficiency.
The proposal builds on our joint interim report submitted to government in March, which described how ‘a one size fits all’ approach will not work for a county with such varied communities and businesses - rural, coastal, industrial, agricultural and urban.