Residents, businesses and local organisations in Suffolk have just one week left to have their say on the future of council services in the county.
The Government’s statutory consultation into local government in Suffolk and Norfolk closes on 11 January. District and borough council leaders have urged people to respond before the deadline.
The consultation focuses on two proposals for Suffolk. The district and borough councils want to replace the current six councils with three new unitary councils covering the west, east and south of the county. Each council would provide “all council services for where you live”.
Called the “Suffolk to the Power of Three” model, the plan is based on public feedback. It aims to balance scale and local focus, ensuring strong leadership, tailored services, financial sustainability and the ability to prioritise funding for communities and businesses in each area.
Suffolk County Council has an alternative proposal for a single council covering the entire county.
In a joint statement, the district and borough council leaders said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to improve public services in Suffolk – to do things differently, to provide the change, hope and leadership that people want.
“By moving to three strong, locally focused councils, we can deliver better services, make decisions closer to the communities they affect, and ensure every pound is spent wisely. There is just one week for people to respond to this consultation – please do so, because your voice matters in shaping Suffolk’s future.”
The three-council approach promises faster decisions tailored to towns and villages. It aims to make councils more accountable and responsive to residents, with wards sized to improve access to local councillors and decision-making.
Proponents say the new councils would better understand their communities, support business growth and innovation, and direct investment where it is most needed.
Financial analysis by KPMG shows the three-council proposal could save £106 million over the first five years through efficiencies and harmonised services. From year six, it is expected to deliver £34 million in annual savings, with £20 million reinvested in services.
Research from the Social Care Institute for Excellence suggests that localising adult and children’s services could unlock an additional £67.5 million each year. This could improve care for vulnerable children and adults by focusing on prevention and early help.
The proposal also aligns with existing local teams and allows flexibility for countywide services such as safeguarding.
