Meet the candidate: Kelvin Cracknell

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. Kelvin Cracknell is standing for Labour & Co-operative in the Gainsborough Division, contesting 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 Kelvin 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/remain a councillor?

I'm Kelvin Cracknell. And I'm standing as the Labour & Co-Operative candidate in Gainsborough division in the Suffolk County Council elections.

I have lived in Ipswich all my adult life, moving from Wickham Market 30 years ago. I was born with cerebral palsy, and I have been confined to a wheelchair since birth. I have a degree in software engineering and a passion for all things tech, movies, and music.

I have been involved in the Ipswich community since moving here I have a strong background in voluntary work in Ipswich working with disability charities for almost 25 years. This has always involved working for and supporting the residents of Ipswich and the surrounding communities.

In 2014, I was invited to join the Ipswich Borough Council tenant participation team as a tenant representative relating to the housing offer provided by Ipswich Borough Council. This was the start of my journey into local politics and my understanding of what services each council provides. I am fortunate to have been elected as an Ipswich Borough councillor since 2019, through the casework, committee and subcommittee work I have done in the last 7 years working with and alongside my fellow councillors. I would hope to be considered a consistent and committed councillor who has shown a willingness to learn and work hard for the residents I represent and Ipswich as a whole.

I plan on showing the same dedication to the work needed at Suffolk County Council.

If elected, I would be able to bring the matters we all care about to the fore.

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

One of the major points raised by residents not just in Gainsborough but across the town is potholes, road maintenance and general traffic concerns. I can tell you from experience that potholes are an issue on some pavements as well. As a wheelchair user, I think I must have found them all. Seriously, though, some of our roads and pavements are in need of serious repair. With the extra money given to Suffolk County Council to fix these issues. The fact that this is an issue that is so concerning for residents only goes to show the neglect that has been allowed to develop over recent years.

We need to fix our roads. We need to improve how traffic moves through and around our town. We need a Northern Bypass for Ipswich so traffic along Roads like Nacton and Landseer don't come to a complete standstill when there are problems on the Orwell Bridge.

Good quality housing is essential across all types of tenure and all income levels. People have the right to live in well-built, affordable homes that allow them to feel safe and secure. I am delighted with the new renters' rights bill and the security it offers tenants when trying to create a home.

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 plans for local government reorganisation and the formation of a new unitary council offer both great opportunities and increased responsibilities. A simpler single tier of local government for residents to contact when needing services.

As a councillor at the Borough and as a prospective councillor at the County Council. I want to help ensure that the transition to a unitary council runs smoothly whilst protecting, enhancing and extending the services that the new council has to provide.

The formation of a new town council offers an opportunity to preserve and develop the local culture and history of Ipswich at a very local level. Whilst the unitary council itself provides a unified standard of public services not only to the town of Ipswich but also to its immediate neighbours.

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?

This is probably the hardest question to answer, and I guess I'm going down the personal route. For me, it is my involvement with Ipswich Borough Council. It is not something I ever intended to or even thought of doing before joining tenant participation. As someone with a physical disability, paid employment has sometimes been hard to find. During these times, I have always found voluntary work to help fill the void.

Most times, this work used not only my technical skills but also involved working with members of the public with complex support needs.

Joining tenant participation introduced me to the workings of a local authority. During this time, I had the chance to meet people who had needs that I had not encountered in my other support roles. No less complex or important, just different. I found myself achieving two qualifications in housing through the Chartered Institute of Housing. It is also where I first got to see and interact with Councillors and council officers. Questioning and scrutinising council services from a user perspective. Before too long, I had joined the Labour Party, my local union branch and The Co-Operative Party. All these organisations have given me the chance to develop skills and knowledge that have assisted me in my role as a councillor today.

I love being a councillor, the work is challenging, the hours are strange and can lead to some very long days, and much of the work I have found we do is collaborative, so there is not much I can point to and say, "I did this." With maybe the odd piece of individual resident casework as the exception. But I can say "I was a part of this."

I enjoy the work, and I work hard, and I get a lot out of what I do.

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?

Mostly working from home. Outside of any council committee commitments, I can be contacted personally at any time via phone, email, or post at quite short notice. Details are published on the Labour Party website or the Ipswich Borough website under my name.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Gainsborough Division — 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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