Liz Harsant

County Councillor for the Gainsborough Division and Former Chairman of Suffolk County Council

Hello, my name is Liz Harsant and I am currently a Suffolk County Councillor for the Gainsborough Division. This Division takes in the Rivers Estate of Holywells Ward which I represented for 22 years on Ipswich Borough Council. In May 2024 I was made Chairman of Suffolk County Council which was a huge honour and something I never expected. I chose three charities to support during my year which I have briefly described below and also some of the issues that are important to residents living in the Division I represent.

About Gainsborough Division

The Gainsborough Division takes in the Rivers Estate of Holywells Ward, has three excellent primary schools and the Ipswich Academy. We are blessed with easy access to both Holywells and Landseer Parks; have a frequent and well used bus service from the town centre and one of the best libraries in the County.

About me

Suffolk County Councillor for the Gainsborough Division, Former Chairman of Suffolk County Council

I have been a resident of Ipswich for many years and was an Ipswich Borough Councillor for 22 years. For 6 ½ years I was Leader of the Borough Council forming a joint administration of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats which worked well and we achieved some great improvements to Ipswich during this time including our University, improvements to the Waterfront, built a record number of houses and in general helped residents to improve their neighbourhoods and lives.

I was widowed 13 years ago and have had to learn to create a new life for myself. I am very lucky to have two very supportive daughters and grandchildren and some remarkable friends. Since my husband died I have moved into the town centre (I think they call this downsizing) and although it was a huge wrench to leave the house I had shared with Russell for some 40 years it was the best thing I could have done – a real fresh start!

I have always been interested in politics and have felt very privileged to have represented Holywells Ward for many years and now the Gainsborough Division enabling me to help residents with the many issues that affect their lives.

If you are in need of help or just need to talk I am always on the end of a phone. My mobile number is: 07789 684 153.

Contact me

Charities

These are the three charities I supported during my year as chairman.

Eden-Rose Coppice Trust

The Eden-Rose Coppice Trust was setup to improve the mental health of people in Suffolk who are living with a disability including chronic illnesses and this is achieved through targeted ecotherapy programmes and workshops which vastly benefit participants' psychological and physical health through social involvement, education, skill acquisition and immersion in nature. The woodlands are: Brick Makers Wood in Back Hamlet Ipswich, Eden-Rose Coppice in Sudbury and Armes Wood in Great Cornard.

Website: www.withnature.org

Ipswich Housing Action Group (IHAG)

I’ve been involved with IHAG for many years and in particular the premises they occupy in Black Horse Lane known as The Chapman Centre. This building was formerly the Borough Council’s Social Club and then became the Community Resource Centre run by the then Umbrella Trust which I was very involved in. The Chapman Centre run by IHAG welcomes anyone at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, IHAG’S aim is to secure a safe place for these people to live so that they can call it their home something I am sure we all want to see.

Website: www.ihag.co.uk

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Cancer Support Suffolk

Cancer Support Suffolk was chosen because like most families these days my family has experienced the unbelievable loss of loved ones from this wretched disease something that is always so hard to live with. CSS do so much to help people to cope both during and after cancer and very much want to provide the best for the people of Suffolk going through these hard times. CSS has a high profile now in Suffolk. Since my chairmanship ended in May, I am very proud to have become an Ambassador of Cancer Support Suffolk.

Website: www.cancersupportsuffolk.co.uk

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Involvement in local organisations

BMX track

Supporting Young Adults - I want to see local Councils recognise the needs of our young adults in Ipswich and especially in Gainsborough and this is why I am so supportive of the BMX track which is now up and running and being used by local young people.

Protecting Our Neighbourhoods For Generations to Come

Ipswich is renowned for its beautiful parks which provide residents with green spaces in which they can socialise, relax and play. Gainsborough is fortunate to have Landseer Park and the Orwell Country Park on its doorstep.

A Friends Group for Holywells Park was established in year 2000. It would be good to support such an initiative for Landseer Park. A Friends Group enables communities to work together on improving the environment and complete projects that everyone within the community can enjoy and benefit from. Some of the projects we have seen include wildflower planting, beehives, work parties and community social events.