TOWN leaders are split on the future shape of Suffolk it emerged today.Following the dramatic collapse of Ipswich's unitary bid last year, the Boundary Committee has been tasked by government with looking at other possibilities for revamping council structures across Suffolk.

TOWN leaders are split on the future shape of Suffolk it emerged today.

Following the dramatic collapse of Ipswich's unitary bid last year, the Boundary Committee has been tasked by government with looking at other possibilities for revamping council structures across Suffolk.

Ipswich Borough Council has been asked to suggest possible options to the committee by mid April but the three political parties have all put forward different ways of carving up the county.

At a full meeting of Ipswich Borough Council yesterday, Tory chiefs revealed they want to see a Greater Ipswich unitary accompanied by two further councils for East and West Suffolk.

Meanwhile Labour bosses on the council are keen on a similar arrangement but with the addition of merging Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft to create a “Yartoft” council.

The Liberal Democrats want a vastly expanded unitary Ipswich, which would include Felixstowe and the Shotley Peninsular, with the rest of the county split into two further councils on an east/west basis.

All of the suggested options would signal the end for Suffolk County Council as it currently stands.

A report to be submitted to the council's executive committee on April 8 for approval.

Once responses from all authorities in Suffolk are received the boundary committee will work towards creating draft proposals which will be published on or around June 16.

A public consultation on the contents will then begin before final recommendations are made to government on December 31.