Local Government Re-organisation 

Information page (updated 25th March 2026)

On 25th March the Government issued a Written Ministerial Statement confirming its decisions regarding Local Government Organisation (LGR) in Suffolk.    The Government has confirmed that the three-unitary model for Suffolk will proceed, including a boundary change to expand the size of Ipswich. 

Read the full statement here

New council footprints and population figures Neighbourhood empowerment SALC next steps

New council footprints and population figures

Taken from the original proposals the population figures are:

New Unitary Council Areas included Population
Western Suffolk West Suffolk, part of Babergh, part of Mid Suffolk 254,000
Ipswich & Southern Suffolk Ipswich, part of Babergh, part of East Suffolk, part of Mid Suffolk 252,552
Central & Eastern Suffolk Part of East Suffolk, part of Mid Suffolk 253,416

Neighbourhood empowerment

When we responded to the Three Unitaries for Suffolk business case, we recognised and welcomed the fact that the proposals presented an opportunity to reset and modernise local government in Suffolk offering potential to:

  • strengthen neighbourhood empowerment

  • deepen community engagement

  • build on existing good practice and

  • support collaboration across the three new councils

We welcomed the commitment to build strong relationships with our sector and supported the early creation of a new Town Council and local area working model that uses neighbourhood governance, community partnerships, thematic forums and digital tools.

SALC next steps

We want to build on engagement we have had as a stakeholder in this process and enable co-production in key areas through reference groups and learning from what has worked well in other parts of the UK. 

We have already been invited to support Ipswich Borough Council on the creation of a new Ipswich Town Council - see item 9 on this published agenda for the meeting on 25th March 2026.