A third of the seats on Ipswich council - 16 out of 48 - are up for grabs in this year's local elections in the town but there is almost no chance of a change of power at Grafton House.

The Labour Party is defending 11 seats that it won in 2019, the Conservatives hold four and the Liberal Democrats hope to hang on to their St Margaret's stronghold.

Ipswich has 16 wards, each with three councillors - and there are expected to be some tight contests.

Holywells is a split ward currently with two Conservative and one Labour councillors.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Borough Council will see elections take place on May 4.Ipswich Borough Council will see elections take place on May 4. (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

This year former Conservative councillor leader Liz Harsant is defending her seat against well-known local shop owner Cathy Frost who is challenging her for Labour.

With two high-profile candidates in a seat where there is always a tight struggle, both parties are putting a lot of time and effort into the contest here.

Another tight battle is expected to be played out in Stoke Park, where Labour caused a shock last year by defeating well-known Tory Nadia Cenci.

The party is hoping to repeat that again this year.

Meanwhile the Conservatives will be hoping to win more seats in Gainsborough, Sprites and Whitton wards. 

Liberal Democrat Tim Lockington is hoping to retain his seat in St Margaret's Ward that has become a stronghold for the party over the last two decades.

This year's election takes place on May 4. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm and in Ipswich the count will take place overnight.

Voters will have to bring photographic identification to the polling station - that can be a driving licence, a passport or certain other forms. Details of what is an acceptable card are on the borough's website.

 

Nominations:

Alexandra Ward: Jane Riley*(L), Sachin Karale (C), Sophie Williams (LD), Tom Wilmot(G)

Bixley Ward: Richard Pope*(C), Paul Anderson (L), Lisa Weichert(LD), Stephanie Cullen(G)

Bridge Ward: Phil Smart*(L), John Downie(C), Kelly Turner(LD), Adria Pittock (G).

Castle Hill Ward: Erion Xhareraj*(C), Barry Studd (L), Martin Pakes (LD), Sarah Welbourne (G).

Gainsborough: Martin Cook*(L), Albert Demaj (C), Conrad Packwood (LD), Robert Young (G).

Gipping: Peter Gardiner*(L), Sian Gubb (C), Henry Williams (LD), Lee Morris (G).

Holywells: Liz Harsant*(C), Cathy Frost (L), Robert Chambers (LD), Rory Richardson-Todd (G).

Priory Heath: Ruman Muhith(L), Gregor McNie(C), Trevor Powell (LD), Andy Patmore (G).

Rushmere: Kelvin Cracknell (L), Stephen Ion (C), Lucy Drake (LD), Rachel Morris (G).

Sprites: Jenny Smith (L), Mike Scanes (C), Robin Whitmore (LD), Martin Hynes (G), Stuart Allen (RUK), Terry Charles (HP).

St John's: Elango Elavalakan* (L), Tim Buttle (C), Giles Turner (LD), Jude Rook (G).

St Margaret's: Tim Lockington*(LD), Laura Allenby (C), Sheila Handley (L), Kirsty Wilmot (G).

Stoke Park: Nathan Wilson (C), Chu Man (L), Gerald Pryke (LD), Barry Broom (G), Sandra Sparrow (ADF).

Westgate: Julian Gibbs* (L), Debbie Richards (C), Martin Hore (LD), John Mann (G).

Whitehouse: Lucy Trenchard*(L), Stephen Lark (C), Immo Weichert (LD), Ned Harrison (G).

Whitton: Gary Forster (L), James Harding (C), Nicholas Jacob (LD), Jason Williams (G).

Key: L - Labour

C - Conservative

LD - Liberal Democrat

G - Green

RUK - Reform UK

HP - Heritage Party

ADF - Alliance for Democracy and Freedom