Meet the candidate: David Plowman

On Thursday, 7 May, Ipswich residents will head to the polls for two local elections on the same day — one for Ipswich Borough Council, the other for Suffolk County Council. David Plowman is standing for the Green Party in both the Alexandra Ward and St Clement's Division, contesting one of 16 borough council seats and one of 12 county council seats up for election across Ipswich.

As an apolitical publication, we sent every candidate standing in the town the same five questions, and we're publishing every response in full, without editing, so that residents can hear directly from the people asking for their vote. No candidate receives more or less prominence than any other. This is what David told us.

Tell us a bit about yourself — who are you, what's your connection to your ward/division, and why do you want to become a councillor?

My name is David Plowman. I was born on the Chantry estate and have lived in Ipswich most of my life. I now live in the Alexandra Ward to be near the town centre and the wonderful Christchurch Park. I am retired which gives me time to be a school governor, trustee of, and volunteer at the Phoenix Project , a mental health charity.

Social justice and equality is important to me. Internationally I desperately want self determination for the Palestinians. Locally I would like to empower the Ipswich community to make our town a vibrant and diverse town.

I want to be a councillor to highlight the vibrancy of the Ipswich people and ensure that the community spirit is enhanced in Ipswich. We must also put climate change at the heart of all our actions and policies.

What are the three biggest issues facing your ward/division right now, and what would you do about them if elected?

Potholes are an obvious issue. There must be a more efficient and effective way of mending and preventing potholes. We need to investigate new ways of tackling this problem

Housing- we need to address the inadequacies of the private rental sector. We must implement the rules and regulations with vigour and ensure bad landlords and bad housing conditions are addressed. We should also increase the number of homes that are charged at social rents. All new council built properties should be charged at social rents.

The Town centre needs to be reinvigorated. Stop treating it like a crime scene.Crime in Ipswich is decreasing. Use all the powers available to get properties in the town centre occupied. If the rules need changing, change the rules. Make it a multi use area of both business and residential properties. I would insist that the new unitary authority based itself in unused properties in the town centre. Making them more accessible. And bring a sense of community to the town centre. Put in more trees, plants and benches. Make it an area people want to meet and associate with other people.renewing the community spirit.

Suffolk is in the middle of significant change — from the local government reorganisation creating new unitary authorities to ongoing pressures on housing, transport and public services. What's your view on how these changes should be handled, and what role do you see a local councillor playing?

The creation of a new unitary authority will help to streamline decision making. It should be called Orwell unitary authority as it should not be seen as a greater Ipswich project, however much I love the town. It should be inclusive of all towns and parishes in the new authority.

We should look at better ways of making decisions that result in actions not further consideration. We should use citizens assemblies and similar methods to involve more individuals in making the big strategic decisions.

What do you consider your most significant personal, professional or community achievement — and what does it tell voters about how you'd approach the role?

The project I am proudest of is the Sustainable community centre that has been set up in the Buttermarket using one of the many empty shops in town.I have stood aside from the project at the moment as it is apolitical. It has become a very popular venue and the people there are working hard to connect with other community groups.

If elected, how will you make yourself accessible to residents in your ward/division? How can people contact you now, and how do you plan to keep in touch if you win?

If elected I will hold regular surgeries. I will also try and meet as many people as possible by attending community events in Alexandra and St Clements. I will come to you as well as you coming to me.

As Greens we will also set up citizens assemblies and similar events so that all local people can express their views and we can make the big decisions together.

I can be contacted on David.plowman@ipswich.greenparty.org.uk

I will sent out regular newsletters so that you are aware of what I am doing and so that you can give your opinions on what is being done.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Alexandra Ward — and across the rest of Ipswich? We're publishing every response we receive in full.

Polling stations open at 07:00 and close at 22:00 on Thursday, 7 May, with results expected on Friday, 8 May. To vote in person you will need a valid form of photo ID — if you don't have one, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at gov.uk before 17:00 on Tuesday, 28 April. The last day to register to vote is Monday, 20 April. For a full breakdown of every candidate standing across Ipswich and all the key deadlines, read our complete guide to the May elections.

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