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Suffolk faces 'historic decision' as council calls crucial devolution vote

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Suffolk County Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on 9 January to decide whether to join the government's Devolution Priority Programme, as debate intensifies over the future of local democracy and governance.

Why it matters: The decision could trigger the biggest shake-up of local government in Suffolk since 1974, potentially replacing the current system with new unitary authorities and a regional mayor.

The big picture: The vote comes after the government published its English Devolution White Paper on 16 December, proposing broader devolution coupled with local government reorganisation.

Entrance to Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building
Suffolk County Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on 9 January to decide whether to join the government's Devolution Priority ProgrammeOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

What they're saying:

Councillor Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: "Changes of this scale create an opportunity to streamline local government, empower joined-up decision making, save taxpayers money and ensure councils are resistant to economic challenges."

Jack Abbott, Ipswich MP, was equally positive: "We are now on the pathway for a new devolution settlement for Suffolk and East Anglia; one that is irreversibly committed to giving real economic, social, and political power to local people."

Yes, but: Critics warn that a combined Norfolk-Suffolk authority would disadvantage Ipswich, with local businessman and campaigner Mark Ling arning that "Norfolk has 150,000 more people than Suffolk, any election will ALWAYS result in a mayor decided by Norfolk's preference, and its will."

Ling also points to previous regional partnerships that "delivered over £1bn in infrastructure upgrades to A11, A47, an almost complete Norwich orbital, and focus on Norwich-Cambridge tech corridor" while "delivering nothing for Ipswich & Felixstowe."

Details:

  • All 75 county councillors will debate and vote on 9 January

  • The Cabinet will make a final decision following the full council meeting

  • Suffolk must submit its expression of interest by 10 January

  • The government wants unitary councils serving populations of 500,000 or more, with some exceptions

Between the lines: The government proposes replacing the current system of district, borough and county councils with new unitary authorities and a combined Suffolk + Norfolk mayoral authority:

  • Suffolk and Norfolk would likely be combined under a single directly-elected mayor, creating a strategic authority covering both counties.

  • Transport and local infrastructure, skills and employment support, housing and strategic planning, economic development and regeneration, environment and climate change, health, wellbeing, public service reform and public safety would all be managed by the strategic authority covering both counties.

  • Suffolk would likely be divided into: East Suffolk and West Suffolk – with both areas having approximately 400,000 residents.

What's next:

  • The extraordinary meeting starts at 2pm in the King Edmund Chamber, Endeavour House

  • Public can watch via the council's YouTube channel

  • If approved, Suffolk would join the government's Devolution Priority Programme

The bottom line: While supporters promise streamlined services and economic benefits, critics question whether Ipswich would receive fair representation under any combined authority.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Mountain bike stolen from outside Anglia Retail Park restaurant

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Police are appealing for witnesses after a blue Boardman mountain bike was stolen from outside Tim Hortons in Ipswich.

The bicycle was taken between 10.20 and 10.30 on Thursday 6 March from outside the restaurant at Anglia Retail Park.

The blue Boardman mountain bike was stolen
Police are appealing for witnesses after a blue Boardman mountain bike was stolen from outside Tim Hortons in IpswichSuffolk Constabulary

Ipswich Police shared the appeal on social media, asking anyone with information to come forward.

Officers have assigned the crime reference number 37/12273/25 to the case.

Anyone who witnessed the theft or has information about the stolen blue Boardman mountain bike is asked to contact police via their online reporting system at https://orlo.uk/2zoxs or by calling 101, quoting the crime reference number.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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