It is the second tier of a two-tier system, fulfilling functions such as refuse collection, housing and planning, with Suffolk County Council providing county council services such as transport, education and social services.

It meets at Ipswich Town Hall and has its main offices at Grafton House.

Ipswich kept the same boundaries at the time of the 1974 reforms and also retained its borough status, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor, continuing Ipswich's series of mayors dating back to 1836.

[15] Alternative options were then considered for introducing unitary authorities more generally across Suffolk, with a "North Haven" unitary authority covering Ipswich, Felixstowe and surrounding areas being the proposal recommended by the Boundary Committee in 2008.

[16] The new government which formed following the 2010 general election decided not to proceed with creating any unitary authorities in Suffolk.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms took effect has been as follows:[21] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Ipswich.

Full council meetings are generally held at Ipswich Town Hall on Cornhill.