Why it matters: This is the first of two business cases expected from Suffolk's councils outlining their proposed plans for local government reorganisation.
The One Suffolk proposal claims a single unitary council would save £78.2 million after five years, whilst projecting that three separate councils would cost £145.3 million more than the current two-tier system. The district and borough councils have not yet published their competing business cases, along with their own financial analyses.
The big picture: The proposal would see all six of Suffolk's councils abolished and replaced with one new unitary authority delivering both local and county-wide services.
Big savings projected: The county council commissioned research by global advisory firm Grant Thornton, based on Suffolk-specific data, which supports the One Suffolk option over alternative proposals.
According to that analysis, after the first five years, One Suffolk would save £39.4 million annually, whilst their modelling suggests three councils would cost £13.1 million more than the current model.
The financial analysis projects £39.7 million in total annual benefits for a single unitary council compared to £21.1 million for two councils and £14.3 million for three.
The projected savings are lower than its original projections, which were based on national analysis from PwC.
Council tax cuts across Suffolk: The proposal would harmonise council tax to the lowest level across Suffolk from day one. Ipswich is the big winner with large reductions in council tax proposed for every band. “Ipswich has the highest council tax in the country," said Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs. "For far too long, they have overpaid."
Based on current levels, Band D properties would see reductions of £245 in Ipswich, £17 in East Suffolk, £29 in West Suffolk, £19 in Babergh, with bills frozen in Mid Suffolk.
Full details of the bandings and projected savings will be published in a separate, follow-up article.
Investment in market towns: A new deal for market towns, including Ipswich, would be backed by a £40 million capital investment fund, alongside a review of car parking charges and markets conducted in consultation with traders, businesses and representative bodies.
Enhanced local democracy: The plan includes creating 16 new area committees with locality staff, a revitalised highways service promising to "say yes more", and a unified planning framework delivering greater consistency across Suffolk whilst maintaining local planning committees for decision-making close to home.
The proposal would also empower communities by offering powers and funding to town and parish councils expressing a desire for additional responsibilities, including creating a new town council for Ipswich to enhance democratic representation.
What they're saying: Councillor Rout said: "I am certain that One Suffolk will deliver the greatest possible savings and the greatest improvement to services of any of the proposals put to government."
"When we go through a process like this and tell residents it will save money, it is only fair they feel that benefit on day one of the new council. That is why we back harmonising Council Tax to the lowest level in Suffolk."
He added: "We are very clear that this would be a brand-new council with a new culture and a new relationship with residents, businesses, community and voluntary organisations and town and parish councils."
The competing view: The county council's business case warns that the alternative proposal from district and borough councils to split Suffolk into three separate council areas could put key services, such as social care, at risk, while costing millions to establish. However, the district and borough councils are expected to publish their own business case with different projections and arguments for the three-council model.
According to the county council's analysis, creating three new areas would require essential county-wide services, such as adult social care and children's services, to be disaggregated, potentially resulting in higher costs and a postcode lottery for vulnerable residents. But, again, the district and borough councils' business case is likely to present an alternative view.
Community engagement: The One Suffolk campaign engaged communities across Suffolk with 8,189 responses to the residents' survey, making it the largest survey response rate for the county council in the past decade. The council says that the proposal was developed through extensive consultation with residents, businesses, voluntary groups, parish and town councils, and political stakeholders.
What's next: Subject to approval by the county council's cabinet on 16 September, the One Suffolk business plan will be submitted to the Government by 26 September. The district and borough councils are expected to submit their competing proposal for three unitary councils. Government ministers will then decide later this year which proposals to put out to public consultation before making their final decision in early 2026.
The bottom line: This represents the county council's case for a single unitary authority to replace the current two-tier system in place since 1974, with competing proposals from district and borough councils yet to be published. The government will ultimately decide which option, if any, to pursue following consultation.
