Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs(Image: Newsquest)Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs, has described the decision as "selfish", "narrow-minded" and "embarrassing". "If Ipswich Borough Council leaders seriously want to subsume 66 parishes into their expanded council border then they should try to understand organisations like SALC, and parish councils, that do vital work for residents. "Yet faced with the opportunity to act in the clear interests of the county, our borough council has turned its back. The existing district and borough councils have proposed having three unitary authorities. Meanwhile, Suffolk County Council wants one authority to provide all services across the county.