Why it matters: The decision means residents will not get to vote for either Suffolk County Council or Ipswich Borough Council in May, with both authorities scheduled to have their elections postponed.
The details: The Government has announced it would bring forward legislation to postpone elections for both Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council. Both authorities were scheduled to have their elections in May, but provided enough evidence on how postponing would free up resources to carry out major reform to how local government works.
Ipswich requested that its elections be cancelled outright, while the county council stopped short of a formal request, instead opted to provide strong arguments for postponement, while lobbying behind closed doors.
The Labour and Conservative administrations at the helm of both authorities received heavy backlash from opposition councillors.
What this means: In Suffolk, this means a de facto cancellation of the elections as no ballots will be cast for either council ever again unless by-elections are triggered in the meantime. By May next year, elections will be for a new system of local government, with one or more unitary authorities, while the existing councils will be wound down.
Where elections are 'postponed', existing councillors will have their terms extended. At the county council, where elections had already been postponed from last year, this means councillors will remain in place despite having initially been elected in 2021 for a four-year term.
What they're saying: Cllr Matthew Hicks, the county's leader, said: "Suffolk County Council was asked to provide information to help ministers come to an informed decision, and we answered the question they set.
"Alongside delivering local government reorganisation, we will now continue to work hard for Suffolk residents, focusing on their and our priorities – like improving our roads, improving SEND services and ensuring vulnerable residents continue to receive the best possible support."
Meanwhile, Cllr Neil MacDonald, Ipswich's leader, said: "I am pleased that the Minister has understood the need to prioritise the capacity required for local government reorganisation."
The other side: The Ipswich Green Party issues said: "The voters of Ipswich are being denied their last chance to give their verdict on the performance of the Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council. Some current Borough councillors will have an extra two years, and County councillors 3 years, in position without a democratic mandate.
"Councillors should always face the electorate, however difficult or uncomfortable it may be. Democracy deferred is democracy denied," they added.
The bigger picture: Some 29 councils will have their elections postponed, including neighbouring Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council. The remaining 34 will have their elections carry on as planned.
Elections to the new unitary councils are expected to take place in May 2027, with the new councils expected to be up and running in April 2028.
