Why we consulted
Ipswich Borough Council invited residents to share their views on whether Ipswich should have a town council. This formed part of the council’s Community Governance Review (CGR), which considered whether existing local governance arrangements reflect the identity, communities and civic life of Ipswich. The review took place alongside wider changes to local government arrangements across Suffolk.
Outcome
Following a comprehensive Community Governance Review, Ipswich Borough's Full Council has approved the creation of a new Parish Council for the currently unparished area of Ipswich. The creation of the new Parish Council marks an important milestone for local democracy in Ipswich, providing residents with a more locally focussed representation and a stronger voice in shaping the future of their communities.
The new parish will be known as Ipswich and will initially operate as Ipswich Parish Council, with the expectation that it will adopt the title Ipswich Town Council once established.
Full Council also agreed the governance and electoral arrangements that will support the new council. The first elections will take place in 2027, with subsequent elections held in 2032 and every four years thereafter. The parish will be represented by 17 parish councillors, with one councillor elected to serve each of the 17 wards.
To support the successful establishment of the new council, Full Council approved a recommended budget of £379,680 for 2027/28, in line with the Local Government Finance (New Parishes) (England) Regulations 2008.
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.
The second phase of the consultation built on this feedback and aimed to gather a more detailed view to help inform the next steps.
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.
With the creation of a new town council were created, Responsibility for these ceremonial functions, including the role of Mayor, would sit within the newly created town council, and will ensure Ipswich’s civic traditions are preserved and carried 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
Your views were collected on the:
- Creation of a new town council covering Ipswich
- Establishing councillors and the wards included for an Ipswich Town Council
- Providing a local level of governance
Proposed Area/Wards
These wards will mirror the 17 wards proposed for the Ipswich Borough area in the new unitary council. This approach will help residents know who represents them on the unitary council and who on the Town Council.
Governance Arrangements
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
To find out more about Town and Parish councils, please visit the National Association of Local Councils web