A third of the seats in Ipswich were up for election this year. Find out more about these elections.
| Party | Elected in 2018 | Total councillors | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PartyLabour |
Elected in 2018 12 | Total councillors 34 | Change+1 |
|
PartyConservative |
Elected in 2018 3 | Total councillors 12 | Change-1 |
|
PartyLiberal Democrat |
Elected in 2018 1 | Total councillors 2 | ChangeNo results |
| Councillors change compared with 2014 | |||
| Type | District Council |
|---|---|
| Seats up for election | 16 out of 48 |
| Boundary change | No |
Workers have been testing a new fountain in Ipswich's main square, as planners aim to bring more of a "wow factor" to the town.
The £3.6m revamp of the Cornhill also involves new paving, a raised area, sculptures and more street furniture.
The project is due to be completed before the end of the year.
The project, which includes three bridges, was originally estimated to cost just under £97m.
Read moreA leisure pool in Ipswich that closed last month after debris began falling from the roof may not re-open until after the start of the summer school holidays.
Crown Pools said work was under way to try to get the work finished by Monday, but could not guarantee that.
Ipswich Borough Council sports manager John Stebbings said repairing the damage had to proved to be a difficult job.
Contractors had to drain the pool to get specialist equipment in to position and this could not happen overnight.
"To drain the pool, get the equipment in to place to find out the problem, fix it and refill the pool all takes time," he said.
Jason Noble
Suffolk Local Democracy Reporter
An Ipswich GPs' surgery serving 4,000 people is to close at the end of the year because it can't recruit enough doctors to cover all the appointments.
The Landseer Road surgery, run by the Chesterfield Drive practice five miles away on the other side of town, is operating with a reduced capacity and will shut in December.
The GPs are due to comment in detail on the closure later, but a statement on its website said services were being gradually reduced and patients not wishing to move to the Chesterfield Drive surgery should register with another practice before the end of the year.
Liz Harsant, borough councillor for the area, said she was "shocked" after learning of the closure from a Suffolk County Council health scrutiny committee report and said more should be done to keep the practice open as it would put pressure on other surgeries in the area.
Andy Yacoub, Healthwatch Suffolk chief executive, said: "We understand that some patients registered at Landseer Road are already using Chesterfield Drive Surgery and information had been provided about alternatives."
Jason Noble
Suffolk Local Democracy Reporter
Some 550 children living on the outskirts of Ipswich will get free iCards this summer, enabling them to join a scheme to prevent youngsters falling in with drugs gangs.
Ipswich Borough Council had alreadyannounced it would provide free cardsto a potential 20,000 children in the IP1-IP4 postcode areas, which allows them to access free activities and sports, such as free swimming at council-run sports centres (Crown Pools pictured).
It follows thedeath of Tavis Spencer-Aitkenslast month.
Now, councillors representing Kesgrave, which is on the outskirts of Ipswich but in the Suffolk Coastal District Council area, have used their community budgets to fund the extra 550 cards for children living in their wards.
Some £1m has been earmarked from business rates to transform one of the remaining derelict areas on Ipswich waterfront.
Ipswich Borough Council has given a progress report on the buildings which form an "entrance" to the Stoke Bridge end connecting the waterfront to the town centre via Cardinal Park and St Peter's Street.
The council already owns the car park, the former Burton & Beestons buildings and is trying to complete a deal to buy the silo.
David Ellesmere, Labour leader of the council, said: "It's allocated for housing at the moment, but we need to see what else we can have there at the site."
The Ipswich Central business group praised the decision to allocate £1m for investment.
Jason Noble
Suffolk Local Democracy Reporter
A public order which currently tackles street-drinking in Ipswich could be extended to target "gangs" loitering, drug-use in public and dog fouling.
The borough council is carrying out a consultation later this summer.
Oliver Holmes, councillor for St Margaret's ward, said it "totally disproportionate" to extend the scope of the orders to the whole town.
"It is criminalising behaviours that are not in themselves a crime,” he added.
David Ellesmere, Labour leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said powers had been "controversial" elsewhere, but "I think we are striking a balance with what we are putting forward".
Jason Noble
Suffolk Local Democracy Reporter
A vision to turn an empty former care home into temporary accommodation for homeless people in Ipswich has come under fire from residents worried it's too close to a school.
Ipswich Borough Council has received dozens of objections to its own planning application to transform the building, on Sidegate Lane to the north of Colcheser Road, which closed two years ago and is 300m from Northgate High School and 160m from a playground.
Comments during the consultation period included concerns that schoolchildren "could be vulnerable to connected activity such as potential drug or alcohol abuse" and the accommodation could be taken by people recently released from prison.
Suffolk Police did not object to the proposals but did acknowledge that the "risk of violence and the vulnerability of those using these premises may be higher than usual".
The council's planning committee is considering he application on 25 July and a council spokesman said: "We have received a number of comments from residents and organisations about the proposals to turn a disused care home into temporary accommodation and all will be taken fully into account."
Jason Noble
Suffolk Local Democracy Reporter
People in Ipswich "are entitled to know if Ipswich is getting a fair share of the £21m" set aside by Suffolk County Council to repair roads, a councillor has said.
Labour councillor for Sprites ward on Ipswich Borough Council, Colin Smart, has put forward plans for a task group to look at the funding of major road repairs.
The plans will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday of the council's overview and scrutiny committee.
"By questioning the county council, I hope we will have greater insight and input into how Ipswich’s roads are maintained," he said.
Mary Evans, Conservative county council member for transport, said the authority was "more than happy to have a discussion with Ipswich Borough Council about the condition of roads".
Nic Rigby
BBC News
About 35,000 people came to Christchurch Park in Ipswich on Sunday to celebrate the 28th year of Ipswich Music Day.
The event, run by Ipswich Borough Council, is the biggest free one-day music event in the East of England. It featured 50 bands, singers, choirs and classical musicians as well as a fun fair, market place and food.
Bands playing included Bouncing Off Concrete and upcoming singer-songwriter Roisin O'Hagan (pictured).
Roisin, a regular on BBC Introducing shows on BBC Essex and BBC Radio Suffolk, said: "It was really enjoyable and rewarding to play at a festival full of such attentive music fans and receiving such a great reception."
Mark Whiting, commercial manager for the council, said "it was a great atmosphere", while BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Stephen Foster said "it was the best Ipswich Music Day yet".
