Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution
On 7 September 2026, the Government withdrew its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decision for Suffolk.
The Government announced a review of its LGR plans, withdrawing its previous decision which would have seen Suffolk’s six current councils replaced by three new councils. Decisions affecting Norfolk, Essex and Hampshire have also been withdrawn.
The review was announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and follows updated legal advice and changes in ministerial responsibilities. The Government says it wants to ensure the reorganisation process is robust, compliant with the law, and aligned with the new national administration’s plans for devolution and public sector reform.
It has also paused proposals in 14 other areas. All are now subject to review.
The Government has confirmed that district and borough council elections in Suffolk will take place in May 2027 – using existing council boundaries. The planned shadow unitary council elections will not go ahead.
Read the full Government announcement on the GOV.UK website.
Plans for Devolution, which will include the election of a new mayor for Suffolk and Norfolk in 2028, are continuing.
Here, we explain the background to LGR and what devolution means.
Local Government Reorganisation
How does the system work now?
Currently, your services are delivered by a ‘two-tier’ council system.
This means things like adult social care, children’s services and road maintenance are delivered by Suffolk County Council.
Meanwhile your district or borough council provides services such as household bin collections, housing, planning and leisure centres.
What had been proposed?
The Government announced in March 2026 that, from April 2028, three new unitary councils would be created, each covering different parts of the county.
These councils would deliver all the services currently delivered by the 'two-tier' system.
It was proposed the three new unitary councils would be called:
- Ipswich and South Suffolk
- Central and East Suffolk
- West Suffolk
These would replace Suffolk County Council and the five district and borough councils: Babergh, East Suffolk, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk and West Suffolk.
The Government withdrew this decision on 7 September, 2026.
What options were put forward in Suffolk?
There was a year-long process in which the government asked existing councils to develop cases for how things should be structured in the future.
Suffolk’s district and borough councils, including both Babergh and Mid Suffolk, submitted the proposal for three unitary councils.
We believed these would best be able to reflect and support the different needs of communities across Suffolk, be more locally accountable, while being more efficient than the current system – reducing the number of councils from six to three.
Read more about the Three Councils for Suffolk case
Suffolk County Council submitted an alternative proposal for one council covering the whole county.
The government put both cases out to public consultation between November 2025 and January 2026.
In March 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced three new unitary councils would be created in the county. This decision was withdrawn on 7 September 2026.
- Read why the government backed the proposal for three councils
- View the responses to the government’s consultation
Why do the existing district and borough councils think three unitaries is the right answer for Suffolk?
Suffolk is a county of contrasts, from coastal towns and rural villages to vibrant urban centres. The Three Councils For Suffolk case recognised this diversity and was built on three strong foundations: local leadership, tailored services, and financial sustainability.
It responded 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 is important to note that town and parish councils, who often deliver local services such as parks, allotments, cemeteries, community centres, markets etc, are not directly affected by these proposals.
What happens next?
The Government has announced a review of its LGR plans and withdrawn its decision to create three unitary councils in Suffolk.
It says it wants to ensure the LGR process is robust, compliant with the law, and aligned with the new national administration’s plans for devolution and public sector reform.
This means district and borough council elections in Suffolk will take place in May 2027, using existing council boundaries. The planned shadow unitary council elections will not go ahead.
Devolution
Devolution is different to Local Government Reorganisation and involves 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 will devolution look like in our region?
A devolution deal will 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. This was originally intended to be in May 2026, but the government has now delayed this until May 2028.
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 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 would be on the Devolution Priority Programme.
What powers will the elected Mayor have?
The Mayor will be directly elected by the people of Norfolk and Suffolk. The elected Mayor will have the ability to speak directly to government ministers and secure funding for local projects.
They will also be able to make important decisions, attract investment and improve infrastructure – taking a wider, strategic role spanning multiple councils.
What consultation has taken place?
The UK government conducted an eight-week Norfolk and Suffolk devolution consultation, which ended on 13 April, 2025. The consultation sought views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas across Norfolk and Suffolk.