Councillors have reiterated their fears residents could be robbed of their rights and voice ahead of a vote to postpone county elections.

In December, the Government announced its plans to scrap district and borough councils and replace them with unitary authorities.

Tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, January 9), Suffolk's county councillors will be discussing whether to apply to be part of the Government's devolution priority programme meant to speed up the council shake-up process, including by postponing the upcoming May elections.

Cllr Andrew Mellen, Mid Suffolk leader, said he was alarmed by what he called a potential 'behind-closed-door deal' which would deprive Suffolk's residents of their right to choose their representatives.

His statement was signed by several opposition members, some of which are leaders of Suffolk's districts, who believe residents could be robbed of their rights and voice.

Cllr Mellen said:  "Devolution is a good thing. Powers, funding and decision-making, currently held centrally by the Government, are shifted nearer to local people.

"Whilst supporting the principle of devolution, we fundamentally disagree with the cancellation of elections.

"If devolution is about increasing democracy, it seems bizarre that the first step on that journey would be to cancel an opportunity for residents to make their voice heard."

The county council will hold a meeting to give all elected members the chance to share their views before a further meeting is held by cabinet members to reach a final decision.

Included alongside cabinet papers is a draft letter requesting local government minister, Jim McMahon, to delay the county council's elections.

The draft letter states postponing the vote is consistent with previous decisions in other areas, such as North Yorkshire and Somerset, to defer elections until the Secretary of State has undertaken consultations on the proposed reorganisation.

Addressing this, Cllr Matthew Hicks, the county's leader, pointed out there was already a precedent for elections to be postponed in North Yorkshire and Somerset to allow for local government reorganisation.

He said: "Any decision to delay elections rests solely with the government. Ministers will make the decisions based on requests to join the devolution priority programme.

"They have written the rules and we have to follow them if we want to make the most of the devolution opportunities on the table."

Previously, the leader, also said he welcomed any input from the districts in what was a 'significant decision'.

He added: "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."

But Cllr Mellen argued those engaging with the process should have a current electoral mandate and stressed those sitting beyond their four-year term would not have democratic legitimacy.

If approved by cabinet members and later the Government, the first Mayoral elections would take place in 2026.