The Government intends to replace Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council (as well as all the district councils in Suffolk) with one or more “unitary”, or all-purpose, councils. In September, proposals for either three councils for Suffolk or a single unitary council were submitted to Government for consideration.
Whether there is one unitary council or three councils for Suffolk, the area covered by the unitary council that includes Ipswich will be larger than the existing Ipswich Borough.
At its meeting on 24 September 2025, Ipswich Borough Council decided that a Community Governance Review should be carried out to make sure that when the change to unitary local government takes place in 2028, there is a way that Ipswich Borough can maintain its civic role including a Mayor, and that Ipswich residents have hyper-local representation in the same way as every other part of Suffolk already has.
The first step in a Community Governance Review is to hear what residents, businesses, community organisations and local groups think should happen; this is a chance to help shape how Ipswich’s community is represented in the future.
The Review covers all aspects of community governance arrangements for Ipswich, including whether a new town or parish council should be created, along with the number of town or parish councillors to be elected.
Town and parish councils represent the most local form of government and are made up of elected councillors using a committee-style decision making process, with elections taking place every four years.
There are several different styles of local council, such as Town, Parish, Community, Neighbourhood and Village councils. Depending on their size and structure, they can be responsible for a variety of local services that matter to residents with town and parish councils elsewhere in Suffolk managing services such as cemeteries, public toilets, play areas, allotments and events.
The first of two consultations will run from 13 October – 15 December 2025 and will seek general views on community governance in Ipswich. The second consultation, beginning in late January, will be on proposals developed by Ipswich Borough Council, which will take into account the results of the first consultation.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “Anyone who lives, works, or has a connection to Ipswich can participate in the Community Governance Review. The consultation is now live on Ipswich Borough Council’s website, and people can tell the Council what they think should happen. I’d encourage anyone who is interested in how we shape Ipswich’s future together, to take part.”
How to Respond
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. We will also be holding an in-person consultation event which will be advertised in due course.
A second consultation will take place from 29 January 2026 – 26 March 2026 to consider recommendations developed from the initial feedback. People can find out more on the National Association of Local Councils website.