Waveney Council is by far the closest-run between Labour and the Conservatives in Suffolk – and the result of the local election is as much in the air as it is for the parliamentary constituency that bears the same name, says Paul Geater.
However there is a significant difference between the Waveney constituency and the Waveney council area.
The council district includes rural areas including the significant population centres of Halesworth, Southwold, Reydon and Wrentham along with some significant villages – all apparently fertile territory for the Conservatives.
When the district was last fought in 2011 the Conservatives won exactly half the 48 seats. They were able to run the authority after relying on the chairman’s casting vote and getting support from an independent councillor.
The fact that the election is being held on the same day as the general election, and the fact that they should do well in the wards that are in the Suffolk Coastal parliamentary seat, should make the Conservatives more hopeful of holding the council.
But Waveney is a district of contrasts. While there is considerable affluence in the Southwold area, many of the homes there are owned by people who do not live or work in the district.
In Lowestoft, where more than half the voters live, there are areas of considerable poverty – and in Suffolk’s second-largest town the Labour Party is strong.
But there are parts of Lowestoft – especially Oulton Broad – where there is a significant retired population.
In the county council elections two years ago UKIP did well in the Waveney area, winning three seats and former council chairman Peter Collecott has joined the party.
Tory agent Mark Bee said: “Waveney Conservatives have worked to improve the local economy, working with Peter
Aldous and Suffolk County Council to ensure that investment is made in the area.
“We lobbied the government over the need for better Broadband and mobile phone coverage. This has resulted in an investment of more than £50m in Suffolk, bringing high speed superfast broadband to even the most rural parts of Waveney.
“We have kept the council tax frozen for five years now and it is our intention to keep council tax low over the next few years.”
Labour group leader Sonia Barker said: “A vote for Labour is the only sure way to have Labour in control of Waveney District Council, working for the benefit of the whole community on May 8.
“A Labour council would be more dynamic, with a forward-thinking, diverse and strategic team of councillors with a bold positive vision to take the area forward.
“Waveney Labour candidates have been out there in our local communities listening to the people of Lowestoft, Beccles, Bungay, Southwold, Reydon and Halesworth as well as in the rural areas and we have come forward with a local Waveney Labour manifesto at www.waveneylabour.org.uk”
There are 20 Labour councillors, one UKIP, one Green, one Independent and one vacancy on the council.
Mr Collecott joined UKIP and is fighting under their banner after serving as an independent on the district. The party’s parliamentary candidate Simon Tobin said UKIP would be fighting for more investment in infrastructure in the district – including a third river crossing.
Sole Green Party councillor Graham Elliott is defending his seat in Beccles while also standing for the party in the general election. It wants to establish itself as the third force in the district and is emphasising local issues.
The Liberal Democrats have not had any representation on the council over the last four years in a district which has not been fertile territory for them in the past.
This is only the second time that Waveney has had all-out elections, until 2011 it elected a third of the authority every year.
Traditionally it has been a district that elects an administration that is in opposition to the central government – although with elections for the district falling on the same day as the general election this is less likely to happen than has been the case in the past.
Whatever happens, it seems certain that the race for power in the Town Hall at Lowestoft is likely to be as close as the battle for power in Westminster.
See the full list of candidates here Or visit our dedicated election page for all the latest news from the local and general election
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