Lindsey Village Website
Just a reminder that there are now two websites for residents to access more information on the proposals for Suffolk:
https://threecouncilsforsuffolk.org/ and
https://onesuffolkcouncil.co.uk/one-suffolk-one-council-one-stronger-future/
The parish council is advised that final detailed business cases will be out soon and debated and it is assumed approved by each district, borough and county council in September. If you wish to attend or watch the live stream of the relevant meetings please use the following links:
Suffolk County Council - final business case approval full council debate - Tuesday 16th September. Use this link to their committee page for more details on how to watch.
East Suffolk Council plan to take a report to full council on 24th September. Use this link to their committee page for more details on how to watch.
West Suffolk Council - Use this link to their council meetings live stream page.
Babergh / Mid Suffolk - here is a link to their democratic services page with details of up and coming meetings for information.
Ipswich Borough Council - the decision about submitting proposals to government will be taken on the evening of 24 September at Ipswich Town Hall.
In June 2025, Suffolk County Council launched a new survey giving residents the opportunity to shape the future of councils and public services in Suffolk. It’s part of the Government’s plan to reshape and streamline councils in Suffolk to save money, reduce confusion and improve public services for residents.
The survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete, and can be done online at https://onesuffolkcouncil.co.uk/residents-survey, by emailing devolution@suffolk.gov.uk or by calling 0345 603 1842 where a member of Suffolk County Council’s customer services team can help residents to complete the survey. People can also visit any of Suffolk’s 45 libraries to complete the survey online.
The survey asks questions about local democracy – such as how you raise issues that need addressing, local decision making – such as how you might want to get involved and about the specifics of council re-organisation itself.
The survey is open for eight weeks – until 4 August 2025.
In March 2025, details have been published of the government consultation proposals to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority across Norfolk and Suffolk. The deadline is 13 April 2025.
Use this link for access to the consultation
In February 2025, it was announced that Suffolk has been placed on the fast track for devolution.
This will mean that Suffolk’s 50-year-old two-tier council structure is set to change with the government proposing to abolish county, borough and district councils and replace them with a new unitary council arrangement and a directly elected mayor
To view the press release issued by Suffolk County Council, please use this link
In January 2025, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet agreed to recommend Suffolk for inclusion in the government's Devolution Priority Programme (DPP).
The aim of this would see the creation of a directly elected Mayor (possibly to cover both Suffolk and Norfolk) and the replacement of exiting council structures with a streamlined unitary council being set up. This would not affect the status of parish and town councils.
To read full details on Suffolk County Council's submission please use this link.
In July 2024, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils confirmed that the five district and borough councils have so far been united in the opinion that either two or three unitary authorities will be required under Local Government Re-organisation, in order for the new councils to be big enough to deliver, but still local enough to care.
They state that further public engagement has made it clear that their residents want the new councils to be ‘local and community-focused’ and emerging evidence now shows that three unitary councils across Suffolk could provide high quality, value for money services for our communities, while also being affordable and financially sustainable.
Motions to this effect have now been submitted for debate at their full council meetings later this month; with similar motions also being debated by West Suffolk Council, East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council at their meetings this week. This will allow them all to determine their preferred option to meet the needs of their communities – in contrast to Suffolk County Council’s proposal for a single unitary council.
They appreciate that we will be keen to know the geographic area which each council will cover, but this will form part of the further work required to develop the plans, pending the outcome of July’s meetings.
The final proposal will then go to council meetings in September. If approved, it would then be submitted to the Government, which will make a final decision.
Council papers for July’s meetings, including the motions for three unitary councils for Suffolk, are due to be published this week and you will be able to see them in full, for Babergh here and Mid Suffolk here.
They also take this opportunity to let you know the government has now published the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, along with some guidance notes.
