ELECTIONS for new councils have been set for 2028 as the Government sticks by major reforms which could see Suffolk split into three.

Jim McMahon, the local government minister, told the Commons earlier today (Thursday, 29 October) that Labour remained committed to local government reorganisation.

This follows its September decision to suspend and review plans to scrap Suffolk's county, district and borough councils and replace them with three unitary authorities with more powers.

Suffolk County Council's Reform administration hailed the move as a victory after it sought to halt the shake-up altogether with a judicial review.

The Government did not contest the council's legal challenge.

Mr McMahon told the Commons the Government would continue to assess the business cases submitted before the review was launched.

In Suffolk, these sought to either set up three unitary authorities – which the Government opted for the first time around – or a single one covering the entire county.

Cllr Michael Hadwen, the county council's leader, said he welcomed the Government's position to engage with the authority on Suffolk's future.

"However, I am keeping our options open regarding whether LGR is a good thing for Suffolk and, if so, what deal is the right one.

"We will work through plans and continue to engage with all stakeholders and the Government."

Mr McMahon said he would keep an 'open mind' and stressed it 'should not be assumed that the same proposal will be automatically selected'.

The Government will provide some funding to all areas impacted by the review to cover the costs of implementing the reforms to date, with Suffolk to receive just over £1.3 million.

A decision for Suffolk's shake-up is expected by early next year, which will trigger a three-week consultation period.

The Government said local elections for new shadow councils – which would facilitate the transition between the two systems – would take place in May 2028, before the new councils could formally take over in 2029.

This would effectively delay the reforms by a year.

Cllr Andrew Stringer, the leader of the county's Greens, said the Government was 'basically resetting the clock' with its decisions and worried work already carried out could be wasted.

"The delay itself has put a stop to a lot of the momentum and work that had been carried out.

He also worried the constant chopping and changing of elections could confuse residents and discourage them from turning out to vote.

Cllr Martin Cook, the leader of the county's Labour Group, called on the Reform administration to publicly stand behind one of the two business cases.

"Today Suffolk's future is back on the table, and keeping things as they are isn't one of the options.

"One council instead of two means one place to go and less spent on running two layers of local government. Reform needs to say which plan they back."

Cllr Richard Rout, the Conservative Group leader, said the county had been 'marched up and down the local government reorganisation hill too many times' and called for certainty.

"As we move into the next stage of this process, we need to look at what works across Suffolk and make sure we take the best of that forward," he added.

"This is about getting the future of local government right for our residents and ensuring Suffolk has an authority that is ready to work with the future Mayor of Suffolk and Norfolk."