The Government has announced the outcome of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Suffolk, confirming that the county will move to three unitary authorities from May 2028.
Local Government Reorganisation is a process through which existing county, district, and borough councils are replaced by unitary authorities that take on responsibility for all local government services within a defined area.
Under the Government’s decision, the following three unitary councils will be created in Suffolk:
- Central and East Suffolk Council
- Ipswich and South Suffolk Council
- West Suffolk Council
Each new authority will be responsible for delivering the full range of local government services within its own geographic area. Final boundaries will be confirmed as part of the implementation process.
As part of the change, all existing councils in Suffolk will be abolished. This includes the county, district and borough councils. Their functions and responsibilities will transfer to the new unitary authorities when the new system comes into effect.
Elections for new “shadow” unitary authorities will take place in May 2027. These shadow councils will oversee preparations for the handover of responsibilities ahead of the new unitary councils coming into effect in April 2028.
Existing councils will continue to operate and deliver services until that date to ensure continuity.
From May 2028, each unitary authority will be responsible for services currently delivered by county, district and borough councils within its area. These include:
- Adult social care
- Children’s services
- Highways and transport
- Waste collection and disposal
- Planning and development
- Other local authority services
Each authority will manage these services independently within its own boundaries.
Further details on boundaries, governance, and transition arrangements will be developed during the period leading up to 2028.