Why are we consulting?
Ipswich Borough Council is inviting residents to share their views on whether Ipswich should have a town council. This forms part of the council’s ongoing Community Governance Review (CGR), which considers whether existing local governance arrangements reflect the identity, communities and civic life of Ipswich. The review is also taking place alongside wider changes to local government arrangements across Suffolk.
What is a town council?
A town council, similar to a parish council, is made up of elected councillors who represent local neighbourhoods and help manage local services. In Ipswich, a town council could also appoint a civic mayor, which would help celebrate and strengthen the town’s heritage and historic identity.
Introduction
In the first phase of the consultation, held between October and December 2025, residents were asked for their ideas about local governance in and around Ipswich. Feedback from this stage showed support for the creation of a new town council, with 83% saying yes to a Town council and 77% stated a preference for a single council.
This second phase of the consultation builds on this feedback and aims to gather a more detailed view and information to help inform the next steps. Further information about stage one is available via our website: Ipswich Community Governance Review
Council structures
As part of Local Government Reorganisation, the existing borough council will be replaced by a new unitary authority covering a wider area.
Local Government Reorganisation will replace existing borough, county and district councils with larger unitary authorities, bringing a wide range of services together under a single council responsible for the service where you live.
Ipswich has a strong historic identity and a long‑established tradition of civic leadership, rooted in its heritage, cultural significance and role as the county town, with the borough council currently providing a clear civic focus, championing Ipswich’s distinct character, history and ambitions, while supporting long‑standing civic and ceremonial traditions. These include the historic role of Mayor, which has played an important part in the town’s identity for almost 200 years, helping to establish community pride, support local events and provide civic representation.
If a new town council were created, responsibility for these ceremonial functions, including the role of Mayor, would transfer to it, helping to preserve and carry forward Ipswich’s civic traditions into the future.
Services
Across the rest of Suffolk, residents already benefit from town or parish councils that provide local, community‑led services. These councils often support parks, events and community facilities, and can award grants to local groups. Most importantly, they offer a strong level of local representation and decision‑making and will continue to do so following Local Government Reorganisation.
Ipswich is currently the only area without a town or parish council. We are therefore proposing the creation of one to ensure that Ipswich continues to have dedicated local representation, a clear community voice and civic identity.
Below is an example of the types of services that other Town Councils across the country provide:
- Allotments
- Parks
- Events
- Civic Services
- Community Buildings
- Leisure centres
- Public Facilities
Decisions on which services will actually be provided by a new Ipswich Town Council will be made by the Town Council once formed.
Funding
Parish/town councils are funded through council tax and income-generating services. Currently, the services that might otherwise be delivered by an Ipswich Town Council, are delivered by Ipswich Borough Council. A new town council will be part funded through a precept, which forms part of your council tax payment. It is anticipated that this will not cause an increase in the overall council tax charge for Ipswich households. The Ipswich Town Council precept will be set each year by the Town Council.
Consultation
We are seeking your views on the draft proposal to:
- Create a new town council covering Ipswich
- Establish councillors and the wards included for an Ipswich Town Council
- Provide a local level of governance
Proposed Area/Wards
These proposed wards mirror the 17 wards proposed for the Ipswich Borough area in the new unitary council. This approach is proposed to help residents know who represents them on the unitary council and who on the Town Council
Proposed Governance Arrangements
Proposed name: Ipswich Town Council
A town council to be made up of:
- 17 Elected Town Councillors
- Supported by an officer team
- Governed by the Local Government Acts
Councillors will be elected by residents, every 4 years, and each ward/area will be supported by 1 councillor.
Councillors are not paid salaries but can claim allowances.
A town council would have a Mayor / Chair of the Council, who would focus on civic and ceremonial functions and chair the full council meetings.
Committees and Working Groups
Most Town Councils delegate work to committees, for example:
- Finance & Governance
- Planning (statutory consultee role)
- Community / Recreation
- Environment
- Staffing
The number of committees and the functions they are responsible for will be determined by the Town Council once it has decided which services to operate.
Committees:
- Can make decisions within their remit
- Must operate formally, i.e., agendas, minutes, public access, etc
Full Council
- Meets several times a year, frequency to be agreed
- All councillors attend
- Sets strategic direction
- Approves:
- Budget and precept
- Policies
- Major decisions
- Committee memberships
How to respond
This consultation is about the future of local representation in Ipswich. Please take part and help shape what happens next. Consultation closes on 21 June 2026.
You can respond to the consultation here: www.ipswich.gov.uk/community-governance-review or call 01473 432000 to ask for a paper form to be sent to you.
To find out more about Town and Parish councils, please visit the National Association of Local Councils web