The bid to create one council for Ipswich has been given the green light by the Government.
The Borough Council's three party leaders all greeted the news by saying they were pleased for the people of Ipswich and pledged they would do their utmost to ensure the new council brought big benefits to residents.
The new council will replace the current two-tier system of local government. A unitary Ipswich will deliver all local authority services in the town. Ipswich, which was a unitary council until 1974, will take back control of schools, social care and libraries and some other services delivered by Suffolk County Council.
Borough leaders emphasised that partnership working would continue and that Ipswich would work closely with the county council to deliver quality services.
But they also felt that one council would be less confusing and more democratic. All three parties on the Borough Council supported the bid, along with all the county councillors representing Ipswich.
The Leader of the Borough Council, Councillor Liz Harsant said: "I am delighted. This brings power down to the local level and gives neighbourhoods a bigger say in the decisions that affect their lives."
The Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Richard Atkins, added: "This is excellent for the people of Ipswich and will cut waste, cut duplication and save millions of pounds."
Councillor David Ellesmere, the Labour Group Leader, said: "We have been waiting for 33 years for this. Power will be taken from the remote county council and given to local people."
The campaign centred on the essential differences between urban Ipswich and rural Suffolk and the need to cut duplication and confusion and bring decision-making closer to the people. The Council argued that a unitary structure would bring more finance into Ipswich without reducing funding for the rest of Suffolk.
Ipswich MP Chris Mole was jubilant. “This is excellent news that Ipswich will be able to drive its own destiny. Unitary status has been a long-held wish for the town and the Government has rightly recognised the strength of the case that has been made.”
Shadow elections of the new council will be held next May. There will be 13 fewer councillors in Ipswich as the county council loses its Ipswich members. The new council will be known as Ipswich Borough Council.