Alongside other district councils in Suffolk, the interim plan highlights the need for multi-unitary local government structures that better reflect Suffolk's economic and cultural significance and ensure that decision-making is streamlined to deliver the best outcomes for residents and businesses.
Councillors also recognised the historic importance of Ipswich, with this year marking the 825th anniversary of the town being granted its Charter by King John. For over a thousand years, Ipswich has played a prominent role in England’s economy, and today it continues to be the largest conurbation in Suffolk, contributing over £4 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) annually from within the Ipswich Borough Council boundary alone.
The town boasts a thriving arts scene, a growing university, a Premier League football team, and a direct 60-minute rail link to London, emphasising its role as a key economic and cultural hub in the region.
The Government’s English Devolution White Paper presents an opportunity to create a unitary council for the wider Ipswich area, one that would deliver all local government services efficiently, and work in partnership with a newly established Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk to secure investment and make strategic decisions that directly support Ipswich’s growth.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says:
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of local government in a way that truly helps Ipswich and the surrounding area. The current system is fragmented and does not serve the town’s needs. By unanimously supporting this interim plan, we are reinforcing our case for a governance model that gives Ipswich the leadership, investment, and representation it deserves.
The case for multiple unitaries, including a strong unitary for Ipswich, has never been more compelling.”
The interim plan, which will be sent to central government on 21 March, is part of ongoing discussions to reshape local government in Suffolk. In the coming months, further engagement with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders will take place, leading up to a final submission in September.
The unanimous support for this submission underlines Ipswich Borough Council’s commitment to securing a better, more effective future for local government, one that enables Ipswich to thrive as the economic and cultural heart of Suffolk.