LABOUR regained the initiative in Ipswich, bucking the national trend to gain two seats from the Conservatives and one from the Liberal Democrats.Former Suffolk county council leader Bryony Rudkin gained Bridge ward for Labour, Alasdair Ross defeated sitting Tory Paul Carter after two recounts in Rushmere, and Labour's Albert Grant defeated Lib Dem councillor James Anthony.

Graham Dines

LABOUR regained the initiative in Ipswich, bucking the national trend to gain two seats from the Conservatives and one from the Liberal Democrats.

Former Suffolk county council leader Bryony Rudkin gained Bridge ward for Labour, Alasdair Ross defeated sitting Tory Paul Carter after two recounts in Rushmere, and Labour's Albert Grant defeated Lib Dem councillor James Anthony.

After four recounts, the Conservatives held St John's ward with a majority of three.

The new composition of the borough council is Labour 21, Conservatives 19, and Liberal Democrats 8.

Alexandra: *Louise Gooch (LD) 681, Martin Goonan (Lab) 508, Janice Rawlings (Con) 408, Brenda Cavanagh (Green) 211. LD maj 173. No change.. Turnout 30.6%

Bixley (2): *John Carnall (Con) 1,437, Russell Harsant (Con) 1,402, Lindsey Rawlingson (Lab) 366, Alison Williams (LD) 353, Emma Stock (Lab) 325, Clive Witter (LD) 261, Adrian Hedges (Green) 235. Con maj 1,036. No change. Turnout 38.6%

Bridge: Bryony Rudkin (Lab) 752, James Spencer (Con) 658, Christopher Newbury (LD) 179, Rick Deeks (Green) 157. Lab maj 94. Labour gain from Con. Turnout 29%

Castle Hill: *Robin Vickery (Con) 1,249, John Harris (Lab) 318, Nigel Cheeseman (LD) 298, Jenny Overett (Green) 120.. Con maj 931. No change. Turnout 35%

Gainsborough (2): *John Mowles (Lab) 823, Martin Cook (Lab) 785, Kathleen Kenna (Con) 591, Janet Sibley (Con) 583, Sally Scott (LD) 231, Jamie Scott (LD) 205. No change. Lab maj 202. Turnout 28.9%

Gipping: *David Ellesmere (Lab) 746, Maureen Springle (Con) 549, Tony Slade (Green) 225. No change. Lab maj 197. Turnout 26.2%

Holywells: *David Hale (Con) 788, Kenneth Douglas (Lab) 451, Robert Chambers (LD). Con maj 337. No change. Turnout 30.7%

Priory Heath: *Bill Quinton (Lab) 881, Eddy Phillips (Con) 692, Nick Jacob (LD) 169, Sally Wainman (Ind) 137. Lab maj 189. No change. Turnout 30.5%.

Rushmere: Alasdair Ross (Lab) 1,026, *Paul Carter (Con) 1,013, Leslie Nicholls (D) 294. Lab maj 13. Lab gain from Con. Turnout 39%

Sprites: *Richard Kirby (Lab) 924, Medlin Spencer (Con) 769, Heidi Williams (LD) 205. Lab maj 155. No change. Turnout 35.6%

St John's: Tanya de Hoedt (Con) 848, Hamil Clarke (Lab) 845, Jill Atkins (LD) 269, Steven Pritchard (Green) 156, Bill Vinyard (UKIP) 154. Con maj 3. No change. Turnout 36.6%

St Margaret's: *Richard Atkins (LD) 1,134, Mary Young (Con) 1,089, Elizabeth Cooper (Lab) 304, Amelia Drayson (Green) 195. LD maj 43. No change. Turnout 46.1%

Stoke Park: *Paul West (Con) 907, Barry Studd (Lab) 472, Timothy Lockington (LD) 202. Con maj 435. No change. Turnout 28%

Westgate: *Carole Jones (Lab) 748, Robin Whitmore (LD) 581, Ian Fisher (Con) 338, Colin Rodgers (Green) 89, Russell Metcalfe (Ind) 37. Lab maj 167. No change. Turnout 29.2%

Whitehouse: Albert Grant (Lab) 584, *Anthony James (LD) 503, Ben Matthews (Con) 339, John West (UKIP) 199. Lab maj 81. Lab gain from LD. Turnout 30.5%

Whitton: *Don Ward (Con) 918, Susan Crocker (Lab) 635, Jonathan Lockington (LD) 244. Con maj 283. No change. Turnout 30.5%

Key: Con (Conservative), Green (Green Party), Ind (Independent, Lab (Labour), LD (Liberal Democrat), UKIP (UK Independence Party).

*denotes councillor seeking re-election

Figure in brackets indicates two councillors elected.