Judy Terry: Suffolk deserves unitary status

Judy Terry is a marketing professional and a former local councillor in Suffolk.

One of six areas in England and Wales in the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet has approved an interim plan for local government, setting out the significant benefits of scrapping Suffolk’s six councils and replacing them with just one new authority.

With an increasingly diverse population of 765,400, and an average wage of £30,940, Suffolk has considerable potential to realise its ambitions to attract more inward investment, promote tourism and its strong agricultural heritage – as well as its major ports and advanced IT businesses – reviving town centres and creating more well-paid jobs. The county offers a broad range of opportunities which can only be realised by joining up services to benefit communities, improving access to facilities and specialist support for those not in education or employment.

At present, few people know which local authority is responsible for what service beyond bin collections! A single council would deliver clearer accountability, with more efficient, faster decision-making and coordinated services – and a more coherent strategic approach to procurement and financial management.

Analysis, carried out nationally by the County Council Network, has identified that a single unitary council for Suffolk would have a recurring financial benefit of almost £26 million annually, with the net benefit after 5 years of over £103 million.

Whilst Ipswich Borough Council wants Unitary status, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution and local government reform, Cllr Richard Rout, explains that a single authority is the only viable option to deliver financial sustainability, avoiding bureaucratic duplication to deliver the significant savings that can be invested into frontline services, including pothole repairs, waste collection and disposal, street cleaning, housing, social care, planning, leisure, and schools.

“There has been talk of having three unitary councils for Suffolk, including a Greater Ipswich, but the latest independent analysis makes it clear that model lacks credibility; having a single council will save the most money while having three councils would cost the taxpayer more than the current 50-year-old system. A Greater Ipswich would be in financial peril from day one, threatening the very services we are determined to protect.”

Cllr. Rout emphasises that the debate is about people, meeting their ambitions and needs, with a single council able to reflect and serve the whole of Suffolk, upgrading living standards. “Our plans will clearly show how local priorities and residents’ voices can and will be central to decision-making, addressing their concerns and improving wellbeing.”

Faced with substantial increases in Council Tax, there is rising pressure from residents to see value for their hard earned money across the public sector and it is essential that they are listened to at a time when their own budgets are stretched – not least by higher parking charges, new fees for brown bin collections, and extra costs for using buses. The lack of one-to-one contact with officials is also a problem, especially for many older or disadvantaged residents who don’t have access to computers for digital engagement.

Having a full understanding of the complexities of day to day life is crucial to delivering services effectively and efficiently. Unlike the growing number of poorly run councils facing bankruptcy, Suffolk County Council has demonstrated its competence for managing a Unitary, having made £84 million efficiency savings in the last four years through clear strategies focusing on priorities, including (please note, Prime Minister) repairing potholes with designated teams provided with new equipment.

In the new financial year, the council will be spending £803 million with 77p of every £1 supporting children and adults in most need. The remaining 23p in every £1 covers other services: Suffolk Fire & Rescue, school and public transport, road maintenance, household recycling centres, trading standards etc.

Safety is increasingly important and having the 3rd best performing police force (up from 13th just four years ago according to the Office of National Statistics) with the lowest levels of recorded crime is comforting, supported by a record 1,425 police officers, up from 1,100 a few years ago.

Suffolk Police would be integral to the success of a Suffolk Unitary authority, championing security across rural and urban areas, further reducing crime which inhibits growth. Town centres have suffered from violent incidents and drugs as well as shoplifting, whilst farms have had expensive equipment stolen and land damaged by illegal ‘hare coursing’ as well as rubbish being dumped, costing a fortune to remove. Speeding in urban and rural roads, resulting in serious accidents and road closures, is another issue being addressed.

In future, as an autonomous organisation, a Suffolk Unitary must have the right to challenge government attempts to overrule local decision-making on major projects involving Planning and the Environment which are having a detrimental impact on the countryside and local communities, whilst threatening food production. Demanding more housing on the Green Belt and approving controversial energy projects, like solar farms and pylons, destroying prime agricultural land and wildlife habitats, when legitimately opposed is not democratic. New housing must be linked to employment, with appropriate infrastructure, education and health services.

Suffolk has been neglected by successive governments over decades, because of its ‘affluence’ and dominance by Conservatives. But that dominance – and wealth – has changed, and the county deserves a fresh approach to realise its huge potential to grow its economy, benefiting local communities and a wide range of new and established enterprises.

The UK may have an aging population, but instead of penalising them, government should acknowledge their major contribution, with many still in paid employment, and/or volunteering across so many sectors: sharing enthusiasm by coaching in various sports, as well as music and the arts, working in museums and charity shops, churches, the RNLI, litter picking, as well as organising events which bring people together, preventing loneliness. Suffolk County Council embraces this vital assistance and, as a Unitary, would further maximise their knowledge and experience to support younger generations to develop practical and communication skills for good careers in a wide range of industries, from brewing and construction to energy, which have made their home in Suffolk.

Becoming a Unitary authority, with an empathetic Mayor, will revolutionise Suffolk, enabling it to build on its strengths and creativity to increase prosperity and pride across the generations.

All we need is government approval.

Having submitted the interim plan for local government reorganisation in Suffolk, a full business case will be sent to ministers in September, following extensive engagement with residents, town and parish councils, businesses and local organisations.

As part of the Devolution Priority Programme with an accelerated timetable, having cancelled this year’s May elections for the region, the government is expected to respond within weeks, enabling the inaugural Mayoral and Unitary elections to be held in May 2026.