Opposition leaders warn that Suffolk County Council is ‘using devolution plans to avoid local elections’

Opposition leaders are concerned that the county council may be using the Government’s devolution plans to avoid the next set of local elections.

Later this month, Suffolk County Council is set to consider whether to put itself forward for a shake-up to local authorities.

Councillors will debate the notion in two meetings on January 9 – and the plans could see district and borough councils scrapped and replaced with unitary authorities.

Members from the county council’s Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent group fear the new changes would not see new authorities created until 2027 or 2028.

As a result, the elections scheduled for May 2025 would be cancelled, they said, and mean the county’s administration would be unchanged for nearly twice as long as the constitution allows.

Cllr Andrew Stringer, the group’s leader, said they were extremely concerned that Suffolk’s current leaders were ‘trying to hold onto power’ and make decisions without any transparency or debate.

There was also no sign as to whether a formal consultation would be in place with residents to give their thoughts, he continued.

Cllr Stringer said: “At the most recent council elections for districts and boroughs in 2023, the people of Suffolk voted to break the hold of the Conservative party.

“Suffolk County Council is now the only council they run in the whole of Suffolk.

“Make no mistake, their wish to postpone the 2025 election appears to have little to do with serving the people of Suffolk, and more to do with saving their political skins.

“Democracy delayed is democracy denied. The Conservatives suffered a massive defeat in the general election in July 2024, and they seem keen to put off the county council elections as long as possible in the hope of avoiding a similar fate.”

The two meetings will take place consecutively from 2pm at Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, and will be live streamed on YouTube.

Under the plans, the new unitary authorities are designed to represent at least 500,000 people.

In addition, new ‘Mayoral Authorities’ would be created, with a single directly-elected mayor covering larger areas – such as Norfolk and Suffolk – who would hold powers over strategic policy areas such as transport infrastructure, health improvement and blue light services.

The English Devolution White Paper was first unveiled by the Labour Government on December 16.

Cllr Stringer said public debate was vital as the group believed the Government’s changes risked undermining local democracy and decision-making.

He also feared that Labour’s plans would move vital decisions over development further away from the people they affect.

Cllr Stringer added: “The Conservative administration should be willing to stand on its record before the electorate.

“Elections are held every four years so the people of Suffolk have a regular opportunity to choose who they want to represent them - postponing the local elections simply takes that choice away.”

Suffolk County Council declined to add anything at this stage.

Cllr Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, said he welcomed any input from district councils – and that it was a ‘significant decision’ that would not be taken lightly.

Cllr Hicks added: “The government has set out its devolution and reorganisation proposals and has asked that Suffolk County Council submit an expression of interest by 10 January if we wish to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme.

“On 9 January, all Suffolk County Councillors will be given an opportunity to have their say before a final decision is made by Cabinet.

“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.”

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