LOCAL elections in Suffolk have been officially cancelled by the Government.

The Government has announced it will bring forward legislation to postpone elections for both Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

Both authorities were scheduled to have their elections in May, but provided enough evidence on how postponing would release essential resources to carry out major reform to how local government works.

Ipswich requested that its elections be cancelled outright, while the county council did not give an official view.

The Labour and Conservative administrations at the helm of both authorities received heavy backlash from opposition councillors.

In Suffolk, this means a de facto cancellation of the elections as no ballots will be cast for either council ever again unless by-elections are triggered in the meantime.

By May next year, elections will be for a new system of local government, with one or more unitary authorities, while the existing councils will be wound down.

Where elections are 'postponed', existing councillors will have their terms extended.

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At the county council, where elections had already been postponed from last year, this means councillors will remain in place despite having initially been elected in 2021 for a four-year term.

Cllr Matthew Hicks, the county's leader, said: "Suffolk County Council was asked to provide information to help ministers come to an informed decision, and we answered the question they set.

"Alongside delivering local government reorganisation, we will now continue to work hard for Suffolk residents, focusing on their and our priorities – like improving our roads, improving SEND services and ensuring vulnerable residents continue to receive the best possible support."

Some 29 councils will have their elections postponed, including neighbouring Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council.

The remaining 34 will have their elections carry on as planned.

Elections to the new unitary councils are expected to take place in May 2027, with the new councils expected to be up and running in April 2028.