Ipswich’s needs failed after devolution announcement for one Suffolk council, Ipswich Borough Council leader says

A town's needs were failed over devolution plans for one authority to replace all Suffolk councils, a leader has said.

Suffolk County Council announced yesterday its intention to ask the Government to create a single unitary authority to replace Suffolk's county, district and borough councils.

Cllr Richard Rout, the lead for devolution and local government reform, said yesterday it was the only option if the Government is serious about delivering savings, efficiencies and better outcomes for residents.

But leaders in Ipswich, who voted unanimously to propose a Greater Ipswich authority, have spoken out against the proposals.

Cllr Neil MacDonald, the borough's leader, said the proposals failed to acknowledge Ipswich's unique needs as a more urban area than the rest of the district.

He said: "Our town and its surrounding communities deserve a council that truly understands and champions them."

According to the Government's white paper, unitary authorities should serve more than 500,000 people but exceptions could be made where they made practical sense.

The leader said there would be several benefits to creating a Greater Ipswich authority including, more localised decision-making, better targeting of resources and the protection of community identities.

Cllr Ian Fisher, the borough's Conservative leader, said he was disappointed with the county council's proposals and warned local government reform should not just be about cost-cutting.

He said: "They seem to be offering a 'quicker, simpler, cheaper' approach when the focus should all be on delivering better services."

Jack Abbott, the MP for Ipswich, supported the creation of an Ipswich-centred authority as having the potential to make the town and surrounding area a 'leading economic powerhouse'.

He said: "The goal of devolution must not be to tinker around the edges of our current system and stick with a status quo which isn’t working for anyone, but to seize the opportunity for change with both hands."

Suffolk councils have to submit their initial suggestions for local government reform by March 21 ahead of a more detailed case in the Autumn.