As the new Conservative Councillor for Bixley Ward in Ipswich, I wish to thank the 1141 people of this ward for electing me in the Ipswich Borough Elections last Thursday. We had the second highest number of votes in the town for a winning candidate, after St Margaret’s Ward, and the 2nd highest majority in any ward.
Whether you voted for me, not at all or for another party, I will be working with my fellow councillors John Carnall, Kym Stroet and Alan Murray and our Conservative MP Ben Gummer in fighting for residents’ concerns in north east Ipswich, and improving the whole town of Ipswich, bringing about new investment, encouraging new business and reducing unemployment further.
I will work with churches, schools and other organisations to develop new opportunities for people in the area.
Hospital parking, the St Clements’ and northern fringe developments remain some of the biggest challenges we have in the area, so we will work to represent your concerns on these.
I thank Richard Pope who did a fantastic job in the last 2 years and wish him well for his future. I also wish to pay tribute to Richard’s predecessor, the late Russell Harsant, for whom everyone from all political groups or none had great respect when they met him, for his great insight, wonderful sense of humour and sense of duty to Ipswich.
I feel honoured to be given the responsibility to represent Bixley Ward and if anyone has any concerns or issues, I will be available to advise and assist them. I may not know everything as I become accustomed to this new role, but I will do my best to find out.
Cllr Edward J J Phillips
Bixley Ward Conservatives