Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what process will determine the final geographic boundaries of the three new unitary authorities in Suffolk; who will conduct that process; and what the timetable is for its completion.

The final geographic boundaries of the three new unitary authorities in Suffolk have been decided by the Secretary of State who has announced that he will exercise his power to modify the base proposal received from West Suffolk, Babergh, Mid Suffolk, East Suffolk and Ipswich district councils. This modfication will set the boundaries of the three new councils as requested in the proposal. These boundaries will be reflected in the structural changes order that establishes the new councils, expected to be laid later this year.

We expect elections to the new shadow councils for these areas to be held in April 2027, with new unitary councils with these geographic boundaries going live in April 2028.