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Local governance, democracy and public services

We challenge the public sector, hold elected leaders accountable, empower residents to participate in democratic processes and keeping them informed about policy changes that affect their lives.

Topics

Activism & Campaigning
Councils
Devolution & Local Government Reform
Elected leaders and local democracy
Elections & Voting
Emergency Services
Health & Care Services
Infrastructure
Ipswich Towns Fund
Planning & Licensing
Policing
Policy Changes & Impacts
Public Consultations & Involvement
Public Libraries & Cultural Services
Public Transport
Rail Services
Roads & Car Parking
Utilities

Max Thomas, founder of the Ipswich Windrush Society

Challenges, causes and community impact

We help people understand the social, economic, and environmental challenges that affect our town and amplify the impact of the people and organisations addressing them.

Topics

Addiction
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
Employment & Welfare
Grants, Donations & Fundraising
Homelessness
Housing & Urban Development
Mental Health
Money, poverty and the cost of living
Nature, Wildlife & Conservation
Offending & Reoffending
Our Environment
Scams & Consumer Safety
Sexual Violence & Domestic Abuse
Third Sector
Youth

Civic pride, resident happiness and visitor economy

We celebrate Ipswich's rich heritage and diversity, challenge internal and external perceptions of our town and give people reasons to fall back in love with it.

Topics

Art, Photography & Film
Changemakers
Comedy
Dance, Drama, Theatre & Cinema
Entertainment & Leisure
Events & Things To Do
Faith & Religion
Food & Drink
Grassroots Sport
Health, Fitness & Wellness
History, Heritage & Museums
Ipswich Town FC
Ipswich Town FC Women
Literature, Poetry & Spoken Word
Music
Nighttime Economy
Pets
Public Spaces
Town Centre & Waterfront

Beren outside Unwrapped & Refill, formerly Lucy's Unwrapped & Refill

Local businesses and entrepreneurs

We champion and support local businesses and entrepreneurs and work tirelessly to strengthen our town's private sector to grow our local economy.

Topics

BID, Tourism & Place
Business Events
Business News
Farming & Agriculture
Independent Businesses & Entrepreneurs
Openings & Closures

Learning, education and opportunity

Reporting on all aspects of education and learning opportunities in Ipswich, from early years to adult education, focusing on performance, equal opportunity, and skill development.

Topics

Adult Learning
Early Years Education
Further Education
Higher Education
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Special Education Needs (SEND)
Vocational Education & Training

A large commercial rooftop installation by Insight Energy

From the rooftops

Suffolk's commercial and industrial rooftops represent one of the region's greatest untapped economic opportunities. With the government's ambitious solar targets and our concentration of large commercial rooftops, our region is perfectly positioned to lead the UK's commercial solar revolution.

Topics

From the Rooftops

Latest

Challenges, causes and community impact

Citizens Advice Ipswich launches appeal for student volunteers

Students who want to improve their job prospects while helping people in their community are being urged to volunteer with Citizens Advice Ipswich ahead of Student Volunteering Week.

News

Council to decide on South Ravenswood masterplan

Ipswich Borough Council's Executive will consider developing a masterplan for land south of Ravenswood on Tuesday, 10 February, which aims to unlock new growth, investment and high-quality development in the south-east area of the town.

News

East of England Co-op awards £110,000 to charities across East Anglia

Twelve Suffolk charities have been allocated grants from the East of England Co-op's latest Community Cares Fund, announced on Tuesday, 4 February, which distributes part of the retailer's annual profits to support local community projects.

News

Civic pride, resident happiness and visitor economy

Mystery tenant to bring empty Ipswich building back to life with £560k council investment

An undisclosed tenant will bring an empty town centre building back into use after the council agreed to invest £560,000 in the property, though details about both the building's location and the nature of the project have been kept confidential.

News

Novelist appointed new writing fellow at University of Suffolk

Francesca Armour-Chélu, a novelist and children's author, has been appointed as the new Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at the University of Suffolk, offering free one-to-one support to students looking to improve their writing skills.

News

Ipswich launches first street performers showcase with applications now open

Ipswich Borough Council is calling on street performers of all kinds to apply for the town's first-ever Street Performers Showcase, taking place on Saturday, 4 April 2026, with applications open until 6 March 2026.

News

From the rooftops

RSPCA Martlesham goes solar in over £7,500-a-year energy shift

The RSPCA Suffolk Central branch in Martlesham will redirect over £7,500 a year from its energy bills to animal welfare after installing almost 80 solar panels across its rooftops.

News

How councils are innovating to deliver more solar

Mid Suffolk District Council leader Andy Mellen argues that when it comes to solar energy, the principle should be simple: rooftops before rural.

Opinion

How floating solar panels will power Ipswich's pioneering nursery

A 750kWp floating solar installation spanning 3,500 square metres is being built at Bramford to supply 20% of the energy needs at Suffolk Fresh's semi-closed hydroponic glasshouse, demonstrating how renewable technology can support sustainable food production.

News

Learning, education and opportunity

Education Minister visits Ipswich school to hear SEND concerns

Schools Standards Minister Georgia Gould MP visited The Willows Primary School to hear directly from staff and parents about special educational needs provision in Suffolk

News

Novelist appointed new writing fellow at University of Suffolk

News

Suffolk's £150m SEND debt write-off welcomed but concerns remain

Suffolk County Council says the Government's decision to cancel 90 per cent of its £168 million special needs funding gap will make a real difference, but warns it does not remove financial pressure completely as the deficit continues to grow.

News

Local businesses and entrepreneurs

Civil engineer crowned Suffolk New College Apprentice of the Year

Two former primary school classmates who hadn't seen each other for a decade were reunited at Suffolk New College's annual awards ceremony in Ipswich, where Gemma Moss, a 24-year-old civil engineer from Beccles, was crowned Apprentice of the Year.

News

Suffolk Building Society donates £45,000 to four charities

Suffolk Building Society has donated £45,000 across four local charities tackling homelessness, isolation, domestic abuse and nature loss as part of its 175th anniversary campaign.

News

University of Suffolk to host International Women's Day leadership panel

Senior leaders, including Suffolk's first female Chief Constable, will discuss whether organisations are doing enough to enable women to lead, at a free public event on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

News

Local governance, democracy and public services

Council criticised over 'closed doors' £560k regeneration grant for Grimwades adult learning centre

Ipswich Borough Council's decision to award a £560,000 town centre regeneration grant to turn the first floor of the Grimwades building into an adult learning centre has been criticised as a "deal done behind closed doors" that denied other potential uses from being considered.

News

Education Minister visits Ipswich school to hear SEND concerns

Schools Standards Minister Georgia Gould MP visited The Willows Primary School to hear directly from staff and parents about special educational needs provision in Suffolk

News

Council approves cremator replacement at Ipswich Crematorium

Ipswich Borough Council has given the go-ahead to replace two gas cremators at Ipswich Crematorium and carry out major refurbishment works to the building.

News