PLANS for a single unitary council have been formally backed by Suffolk County Council to deliver a 'menu of opportunity' after a fiery debate laid down opposing views.

Cabinet members unanimously agreed yesterday (Tuesday, 16 September) to ask the Government to replace the authority, alongside Suffolk's five district and borough councils, with a single unitary with more powers.

Cllr Richard Rout, the county's lead for council reform, presented the full business plan as a 'menu for opportunity' through conservative estimates of £78.2 million in savings after the first five years, and a further £39.4 million every year after that.

"This is an opportunity for a fresh start," he said, "to take what is done well and to ensure it continues, and to fix what is done badly.

"It is a chance for a reset, to change culture, to create an authority that is an enabler and not a blocker."

Cllr Matthew Hicks, the county's leader, added: "Let us be clear and ambitious, let us back this proposal not just because it saves money, but because it serves the people of Suffolk better.

"Let's do what's right for our future, for our county, let's take this really rare opportunity to shape a better, a fairer and more resilient Suffolk for us all."

Before cabinet members unanimously backed it, however, the plans were put forward to all of Suffolk's county councillors, most of whom had their say during the fiery debate.

The debate followed similar lines to recent months, with most opposition councillors saying a single council would be 'too remote' to ensure local decision-making.

Although the county authority proposed creating 16 area committees with decision-making roles, as well as extra funding and powers for town and parish councils, they said this would not be enough.

Cllr Andrew Skinner

Cllr Andrew Stringer, leader of the GLI group, the county's main opposition, said: "My group is in favour of devolution as a principle that genuinely empowers and brings decision-making closer to local communities, but this is not what is being proposed.

"We will keep fighting to keep the 'local' in local democracy every step of the way."

The opposition leader added fears services would not improve under a single authority, with some of those currently delivered county-wide already 'in an appalling state'.

Cllr Andrew Reid, whose portfolio includes special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), disagreed.

He said: "Breaking up a universal service like children and young people's services would not only cost money, it would cost children their futures."

Further concerns were raised about the proposed 140 councillors to serve the new authority.

Cllr Sandy Martin, leader of the Labour group, said: "The whole point of a local authority is to give residents a local and approachable voice who will be able to reflect their concerns in the decision-making of the authority — the larger that authority becomes, the less real influence any single member will have."

Councillors voted in favour of the single unitary with 43 votes for, 17 against and two abstentions — this vote was a formality, however, as the formal decision was down to cabinet members, who approved it unanimously.

What has been approved?

Central to the county council's business case was a wholesale reduction in Council Tax for most Suffolk residents.

Under the proposals, tax could be brought down to Mid Suffolk levels, meaning from May 2028, residents currently living in Ipswich, East Suffolk, Babergh and West Suffolk, would pay anywhere between £17 and £245 less for a Band D property.

Decreases would be found across all property band types, with Mid Suffolk residents having theirs frozen.

On top of this, the council said a £40 million capital investment pot could be delivered within its financial modelling to fund initiatives in market towns, including Ipswich.

The proposal also made the case a single unitary authority could deliver a full review of car parking and markets, as well as make the highways service more responsive and proactive.

These benefits were criticised, however, as it would be down to the new unitary to actually implement them, rather than the current councillors, meaning they could end up not being delivered.

What's next?

Yesterday's vote means Suffolk County Council will be sending out its business plan to the Government, ahead of the deadline on September 26.

District and borough councils, of which several councillors spoke during yesterday's county meeting, will be meeting over the next week ahead of putting forward their own business case to the Government.

Their plans would separate the county into three unitaries, anchored in Suffolk's largest towns — Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft.

Once all business cases are submitted, the Government will conduct a consultation, expected to end in early 2026, with a final decision later that year.

Elections for a 'shadow council' will then take place in May 2027, which will exist underneath the current structure until May 2028, when it will take over.