No compelling case for a mega council in Suffolk

13 Mar 2025

The Leaders of the County’s five district and borough councils have responded to the decision by Suffolk County Council to submit interim proposals for a single unitary authority, as part of the Local Government Review process.

Cllr Deborah Saw (Babergh District Council), Cllr Caroline Topping (East Suffolk Council), Cllr Neil MacDonald (Ipswich Borough Council), Cllr Andy Mellen (Mid Suffolk District Council) and Cllr Cliff Waterman (West Suffolk Council) said:

“Any case for a huge and remote ‘mega council’, delivering services to three-quarters of a million people across a vast geographical area, is no more compelling today than it was when it was first announced. 

“Leadership would be more remote and distant, not stronger, with a real risk that communities feel ignored and unconnected from their representatives. A multi-unitary solution for Suffolk would address these concerns head on, providing meaningful democratic representation which enables communities and economies to thrive.

“Keeping local government truly local will ensure that our communities are heard, and their needs are met effectively. Only our proposals can meet the government’s criteria to deliver financial sustainability, drive better outcomes, find tailored local solutions, create efficient services, economic growth and strong community engagement; all thanks to unitary structures that are big enough to deliver but close enough to care and connect.

“This is a critically important generational change to the way local government and services are delivered, and our proposals - which recognise the county’s diversity - are far more fit for the future than unimaginative plans which amount to little more than simply bolting all council services together.”

The district and borough councils will be holding meetings next week before submitting their own, final interim report to the Government ahead of its 21 March deadline.

West Suffolk Council – 18 March (Council and Cabinet) 
East Suffolk Council – 19 March (Council)
Ipswich Borough Council 19 March (Executive)
Mid Suffolk District Council – 19 March (Council)
Babergh District Council – 20 March (Council)
 

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