Meet the candidate: Stephen Connelly

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. Stephen Connelly is standing in both, contesting one of 16 borough seats and one of 12 county 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 Stephen 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've lived in Suffolk since 1979, when I started work as a Physics Teacher at a local High School. I was a keen Squash Player/Coach until age caught up with me, and I was forced to hang up my racket.

I'm proud to be Chair of the Governing Body at The Beeches Community Primary School, where the staff work tirelessly to offer our children a first-rate education and every opportunity to shine.

I was a Whitton Borough Councillor between 2011 and 2015 and live near the Ward.

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

1. Whitton has the benefit of some fabulous Green Spaces and plenty of high quality Social Housing but the provision of adequate new affordable housing remains a challenge although the new development on the Tooks Bakery Site is a fantastic start.
2. The supply of adequate SEND provision is an area where young people are currently being let down. We need better provision in or near our current schools. You should not have to cross the County in a Taxi to get the education you need. I welcome the work currently being done by the Labour Government in this area.
3. Adult Social Care is a major issue for a population that is ageing. A lack of provision of high-quality care homes near the communities creating the demand remains a barrier that we simply must break down.

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?

We are moving into an exciting period of transformation away from the existing failed two-tier model of Local Government. The new Unitary Authority based around the Greater Ipswich Area will offer challenges but also present benefits to the community it will serve.

We might finally see due emphasis given to the busiest, most used roads in our County Town. The Combined Mayoral Authority will offer a strategic transport role, which might finally see the delivery of a Northern Route, which the residents in Whitton Ward have been demanding for two decades.

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?

I was proud to work with IBC and the NW Big Local Trust to help deliver the Skatepark on White House Recreation Ground. I take great pride in seeing this in constant daily use as I pass by.

I'm also greatly encouraged to see the work of the Whitton Youth Partnership continuing to support young people, and that the NW Area Committee, which I chaired, helped to fund in earlier years. As Chair of IBC's Licensing & Regulatory Committee, I've worked with local disability campaigners to ensure that the Taxi Service remains accessible for all members of our community.

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?

As a retired teacher, I am responsive and accessible. My phone and email address are constantly monitored and available in the public domain. I love to attend all the local events that community groups run. If I'm invited, I'll be there!

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Whitton — 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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