Agenda and draft minutes

There were no Apologies for Absence.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2025.

It was RESOLVED:

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2025 be signed as a true record.

It was RESOLVED:

that the Order of Business be confirmed as printed on the Agenda.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Portfolio Holder – Councillor Neil MacDonald

In February 2025, the Minister for Devolution invited all councils in two tier areas to submit proposals for the reorganisation of local government into unitary councils.

The Minister has asked councils to share their initial thinking by 21^st March 2025, and Ipswich Borough Council has been working with the District Councils in Suffolk to prepare a “multi-unitary” council proposal.

115.1.  Councillor MacDonald noted that an addendum had been circulated. Councillor MacDonald introduced the report, noting that this was a once in a generation opportunity to reshape Local Government in Suffolk and thereby improve the lives of residents.

It was RESOLVED:

a)             that Executive notes the views of Council, as expressed at its meeting on 19^th March 2025.

b)             that Executive notes the content of the draft Interim Plan attached at Appendix 2 of the report and the Case for a unitary Ipswich Council at Appendix 1 of the report.

c)             that Executive authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise the submission of an Interim Plan to Government for its 21^st March 2025 deadline.

d)             that Executive certifies the decision at c) as urgent and exempt from call-in.

Reason: to comply with the Government’s requirement to receive an Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation by 21^st March 2025.

To consider excluding the public (including the Press) from the meeting during consideration of the following items under Regulation 21 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 as it is likely that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information falling within paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

It was RESOLVED:

that the public (including the Press) be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items under Regulation 21 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 as it was likely that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information falling within paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

It was RESOLVED:

that the exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2025 be signed as a true record.