Meet the candidate: Martin Cook

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. Martin Cook is standing for Labour in the Rushmere 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 Martin 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?

I moved to Ipswich for work at the age of 22 and quickly made it my home. I live locally on Rushmere Road.

I have 30-years' experience as a councillor at Ipswich Borough Council. I hugely enjoy the role; the most rewarding part is being able to solve problems for residents.

I now hope to be elected to Suffolk County Council, where I can put my Borough experience to good use representing local people. I am excited about the chance to increase my knowledge of the services the County Council provides ahead of Local Government Reorganisation, with three new councils for Suffolk launching in 2028.

Many people mistakenly think that being a councillor is a job. It isn't! I earn my living working full-time as a senior manager in the field of cyber-security for Openreach at Adastral Park.

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

The Conservative-run County Council's do-nothing approach on the Ipswich Northern Bypass during their 21-year tenure has left Rushmere with serious traffic problems. If elected, I will be pressing for SCC finalise and submit plans for the Ipswich Northern Bypass to Government. This is an essential first step to securing funding for it.

Ipswich's current boundaries, which date back to 1835 and run tight to Humber Doucy Lane, put us at risk of neighbouring councils planting poorly planned housing developments on our doorstep. New boundaries coming in 2028 will go a long way to addressing this issue, in the meantime we will need to be vigilant and ensure that any new developments come with infrastructure and improvements that solve problems in the area rather than just adding to them.

People care about their local area and want to have pride in it. Improving highways maintenance (potholes!) and taking a tough line on issues like graffiti and vandalism are a personal passion of mine.

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?

Local Government Reorganisation will clear up longstanding public confusion about which council does what and give local people a single point of contact for all council services in their area. As local councillors we will need to work hard between now and April 2028 to ensure that the new authorities are set up in a way that keeps decision making close to our communities, delivers services in a joined up and efficient way and lays the ground work to take Ipswich forward for the next 50 years or more.

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?

Over the last 15 years, as the Executive Portfolio Holder for resources at Ipswich Borough Council, I have overseen Ipswich Borough Council's finances. Protecting council services through years of austerity and the COVID pandemic while building more than 500 new council homes for rent took considerable staying power, but Ipswich has emerged fit for the future with the strongest finances of any of Suffolk's district councils.

I have built a reputation for dealing with casework and pressuring the County Council from the outside to deal with issues like broken street lighting. I have also brought new financial support into the area I represent, helping to kick-start projects like major upgrades to the Borough Council's play areas and other facilities in our parks.

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?

Residents will often see me out and about, including at the local shops on Woodbridge Road and Selkirk Road. My full contact details are published online - Google "Martin Cook Ipswich". I also operate a website and Facebook page.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in the Rushmere 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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