Suffolk's Spring Elections Will Go Ahead

Monday, 16 February 2026 18:00

Local elections in Suffolk will now take place in May 2026 after the Government abandoned plans to delay a number of council votes across England.

The Local Government Secretary had previously approved postponing around 30 elections until 2027 as part of a wider programme of devolution and local government reorganisation. The proposed changes could see some councils, including those in Suffolk, abolished and replaced with new unitary authorities.

However, following legal advice, ministers have reversed the decision and confirmed that elections will go ahead as originally scheduled.

The earlier move to delay the ballots had been criticised by opposition parties, who described it as undemocratic.

Responding to the decision, Suffolk County Council Leader Matthew Hicks said the authority had always maintained that the timing of elections was a matter for Government.

He said the reversal had created uncertainty for councils attempting to plan for potential reorganisation, adding that changing national decisions make it more difficult to deliver stability for residents and staff.

Cllr Hicks also questioned what the decision means for the Government’s wider plans for devolution and restructuring, stating that proposals for a single new unitary council in Suffolk would now be more challenging to deliver.

He said the council’s priority remains maintaining reliable services and protecting residents amid the uncertainty.

The Government has not yet outlined what the latest development means for the broader timetable of local government reform.