I am pleased to get through my first year as Leader, which was a step above anything that I have done before. I feel humbled to retain the trust and backing of my fellow councillors to continue in this role. I’m looking forward to taking the town further forward this coming year.
Leadership can be a lonely place, but I am not on my own, as I have the support of 37 great Labour councillors, after a fantastic set of elections. The new councillors bring more diversity to my team, bringing a wealth of experience from many walks of life. I will be looking to old and new councillors to step up and help me deliver for the people of Ipswich.
Jane Riley and Lucy Trenchard have joined the Executive this year, and show that promotion is possible and provide new voices at the top table.
We make a great team and will be focused to deliver on our priorities:
- A thriving Town Centre
- Meeting the housing needs of all communities
- Carbon neutral council
- Promoting community wellbeing and fairness in Ipswich
- A financially sustainable council providing good quality services
There will be a need to keep the council on a sound financial footing, this is likely to lead to some difficult decisions, as money will be tight. It’s not all doom and gloom though. We must make best use of the Towns Fund money, maintain our wonderful parks and work to improve the cultural offer. It is great to see the Regent win the Best Arts, Culture & Theatre in the Regional Finals of the 2024 Muddy Stilettos Awards recently and last year the Street cleansing team were short-listed for Best Service Team of the year.
In the coming year we will go forward with:
- The secured funding for the Museum refurbishment
- Supporting Fusion Leisure on starting the Broomhill renovation
- Continuing the job creation at Eastern Gateway – the former Sugar Beet site.
The first council houses at Ravenswood will complete in late summer as well, with a steady pipeline of 300 council dwellings following.
I was delighted to propose Councillor Elango Elavalakan as Ipswich Mayor for the coming year.
Elango was born in Sri Lanka and studied as a Civil Engineer. He had to flee the civil war, where he lost friends and relatives, and settled in Ipswich in 2006.
He ran a petrol station on Woodbridge Road for many years. He also worked as a Building Site Manager. He now runs his own business.
I first met Elango in 2011, when he stood for election in Ipswich. I remember him carrying the Ipswich Labour banner as part of a campaign to stop cuts to libraries.
He is a hard-working campaigner and was elected in St John’s ward in 2014.
I was surprised when he became deputy mayor and now the Mayor! I did bump into him at a recent concert, where he seemed completely at ease as Deputy Mayor. He was accompanied by his delightful wife Manchula and I am sure she will bring both strength and charm to the mayoral party.
Elango will have an opportunity that is not available to all mayors. He will have the opportunity to read out the general election result in Ipswich. The announcement by a refugee who fled war and persecution, who has made a new life here and contributed to society will send a message.
So there is much to look forward to.
I will ensure that the Labour run council will continue revitalizing Ipswich, providing residents with a town, like the football team, that is fit for the premier league.