João Santos
João is a Local Democracy Reporter covering Suffolk's district and borough councils, as well as Suffolk County Council.
News
Council rents to rise by 4.8% from April
Ipswich Borough Council has approved a 4.8% increase to council housing rents from 1 April 2026, adding an average of £5.07 per week to social housing rents.by
Oliver Rouane-Williamsand
João Santos
News
Conservative councillors told how to vote on local election delays
Conservative councillors at Suffolk County Council were instructed by their party whip to vote down an amendment supporting local elections going ahead in May, with one admitting he could have broken ranks but chose to be a "team player" instead.byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
News
Ipswich council to spend more than £600,000 on bins and bags
Ipswich Borough Council has agreed to spend more than £600,000 on bins and bags over the next three years to fulfil its statutory duty to deliver waste collections across the borough.byOliver Rouane-WilliamsandJoão Santos
News
Suffolk County Council accused of 'autocratic approach' over election delay stance
Opposition councillors have condemned Suffolk County Council for refusing to publicly support May's elections going ahead, accusing them of giving the government the "green light" to postpone democracy for a second time.byOliver Rouane-WilliamsandJoão Santos
News
Council to advertise £1.7m contract for theatre alcohol sales
Ipswich Borough Council leaders will seek approval on Tuesday to advertise a new three-year contract to sell alcoholic drinks at Ipswich Corn Exchange and Regent Theatre, valued at just over £1.7m.byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
News
'No brainer' £31m M&S store unanimously approved for former Toys R Us site
Babergh councillors have unanimously approved plans for a new £31m M&S store at the former Toys R Us site at the Copdock Interchange, with one councillor describing it as a "no-brainer".byOliver Rouane-WilliamsandJoão Santos
News
Suffolk councillors divided over lifting two-child benefit cap
County councillors have passed a motion criticising Government budget measures, including the lifting of the controversial two-child benefit cap, despite a former Ipswich MP dismissing it as "party political grandstanding".byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
News
Ipswich councillors back 1,000-home plan despite £4.7m school funding row
Ipswich Borough Council has approved plans for up to 1,020 homes at Red House Farm despite Suffolk County Council's formal objection over a £4.7 million shortfall in education funding.byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
News
'For the love of God, yes': Residents back M&S plans for derelict Toys R Us site
Plans to transform the former Toys R Us building that has stood empty for seven years into a £31m M&S store have received unanimous support from local residents, with officers recommending approval despite concerns about footfall diversion from the town centre.byOliver Rouane-WilliamsandJoão Santos
News
Suffolk single unitary plans debated in Parliament ahead of Government consultation
James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk, hosted a debate in Parliament on Thursday, 30 October, on Suffolk County Council's proposals for local government reform, as the Government prepares to launch its consultation next month.byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
News
Private providers 'profiteering' as Suffolk struggles with children's care costs
Suffolk County Council is being forced into expensive private sector care packages costing up to £25,000 per week due to a shortage of foster carers and council-run children's homes, with the authority's executive director warning of "huge profiteering" by some organisations.byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
News
Why delayed SEND reforms matter for Suffolk's struggling council
The government's decision to delay long-awaited special needs reforms until 2026 comes as Suffolk faces a £161 million deficit in its schools budget, while grappling with soaring demand that has seen the county deliver 2,289 more education and health care plans than the previous year.byJoão SantosandOliver Rouane-Williams
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