City Councillor Celebrates 50 Years Since First Council Meeting

Published: 23 October 2018

John Brooks Celebrates 50 Years Since First Being Elected As a Councillor

Lichfield City Councillor John Brooks (Labour) who represents Curborough Ward is celebrating 50 years since being first elected as a Lichfield Councillor. Pictured together with his Wife, Mrs Patricia Brooks and the Mayor of Lichfield Councillor David Leytham, John’s first taste of public office came at the City Council meeting of 7 October 1968, following his success in the Curborough Ward by-election held on 26 September 1968. John remained in office until 1976, was then re-elected from 1980-83, 1991-2007 and 2011 to date.

At the City Council’s meeting of 22 October 2018, held at the Guildhall as his first meeting had been some 50 years previously, Councillor Brooks’ achievement was marked, following a standing ovation from fellow Councilors, with the presentation of a framed certificate, a bound copy of the Minutes of his first Council meeting and two bottles of fine wine. The presentation was made by the Mayor of Lichfield Councillor David Leytham, who also presented John’s Wife Patricia with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Council.

The Leader of the Conservative controlled City Council, Councillor Bernard Cocksey said ‘it is a good measure of someone's character that when a business competitor, or in this case a political opponent, is asked for an opinion, they can find nothing negative to say about the individual concerned. Such is the case with Councillor John Brooks. The manner in which he conducts himself in Council and in the various committees of which he is a member is of great credit to him and to this Council. I congratulate him on this remarkable achievement and on behalf of my fellow Councilors I thank him for his years of dedicated service to the City of Lichfield.’

Councillor Brooks said ‘I wasn’t expecting this at all… I won’t pretend that it feels like yesterday as 50 years is a long time, but I am very grateful to all City Councillors for marking the occasion in this way.’

John and his Wife Patricia moved to Lichfield in November 1965, and still live in the same house in Curborough ward. John taught Mathematics for many years, latterly becoming a Head of Department at two schools in neighbouring authorities. An early retirement provided additional time to give to his political work, serving at the time as both a County Councillor and City Councillor. John served as Education Leader at Staffordshire County Council for eight years before standing down.

Councillor Brooks was Mayor of Lichfield in 1974, and was made Honorary Alderman for the County of Staffordshire on 28 July 2005; the title being given in recognition of eminent service rendered to the Council. He has served on several City charities, was a governor of King Edward VI School and Nether Stowe School for many years, and of Willows Primary School for a total of 48 years until this summer.