Political rivals unite over Greater Ipswich council vision

Why it matters: The cross-party proposal argues a single county-wide authority would be too remote from residents and not serve the best interests of Ipswich people and businesses.

The big picture: The initiative follows the government's recent decision to place Suffolk and Norfolk on the Devolution Priority Programme, leading to the postponement of this year's local election and paving the way for a new unitary authority system, with all existing councils set to be abolished and replaced by 2026.

The details: The motion, to be debated at a special Town Hall meeting on Wednesday evening, outlines four key points:

• Ipswich must have a prominent place in any new arrangements as Suffolk's county town.

• A single unitary Suffolk Council would be too remote from residents and would not be in the best interests of Ipswich people and businesses.

• Three unitary councils should be created for Greater Ipswich, East Suffolk and West Suffolk – not two as has been mooted previously.

• The council will work with government, local MPs and other Suffolk authorities to achieve this goal.

What would change: A unitary council for Greater Ipswich would provide all the services and functions currently fulfilled by Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council combined.

What's next: The proposal will be debated at a special meeting of all Ipswich Borough Councillors on Wednesday evening at the Town Hall.

The bottom line: The Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat group leaders' unified proposal follows last week's invitation from the Minister for Devolution and Local Government for all Suffolk councils to develop proposals for local government reorganisation.