Neil MacDonald is set to take over as the new leader of Ipswich council at this year's annual meeting next Wednesday.

Mr MacDonald, 57, was elected leader of the ruling Labour group on Tuesday evening and now has a week to choose his first council executive and prepare a programme for the next year.

He has been a member of the borough for 23 years - he was first elected at the start of the millennium - and he has recently been portfolio holder for housing.

Improving the town's housing and building more council homes is one of his priorities - but he accepts he has a tough act to follow as David Ellesmere stands down after 12 years as leader.

Mr MacDonald said: "David has done an exceptional job in very difficult circumstances over the last 12 years and it will not be easy following on from that.

"I want to see improvements to and investment in the town centre. I have great faith in the town and hope to see it really improve over the next few years."

Housing remains a key interest, Mr MacDonald added: "I want to get more council houses built and also other mixed developments around the town.

"We have seen on the Northern Fringe how we can unlock government support for major developments and I would like to see that happening again."

And tackling homelessness will always be a priority for him although there are a number of factors that lie behind the increase in rough sleeping - and none of them are unique to Ipswich.

Mr MacDonald is originally from Elgin in north east Scotland and came to Suffolk to work for BT in 1988.

He has had a number of jobs in technology but recently stood down to devote himself to his council work.