Suffolk to vote for police commissioner in local elections

The count for Ipswich Borough Council will take place at the town hall

Voters in Suffolk will go to the polls on 2 May.

Across the county, votes will be cast for the police and crime commissioner (PCC) - a political office that holds the police force to account.

It will be the first election for the role since 2021, after it was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elections in Ipswich will take place on the same day for 16 borough councillors, with a third of the authority's seats on the ballot.

Labour controls the council at the moment with a large majority, holding 32 of the 48 seats.

The second largest group on the council, the Conservatives, had a strong showing in 2021, taking six seats from Labour, but they have struggled over the last two elections, losing seats in both.

Ipswich Borough Council's responsibilities include bin collections, sports facilities and parks.

Votes will be counted overnight with the results expected in the early hours of 3 May.

What is a police and crime commissioner?

A PCC is an elected position, and the office-holder is often associated with a political party.

The role includes setting the police component of council tax bills, setting the police's budget and appointing the chief constable.

Every registered voter in Suffolk can take part in the election.

A change to the election system means it will be first-past-the-post.

The vote counting will take place on 3 May and the winner will be announced in Bury St Edmunds.