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Councillors Receive Recognition For Long Service

Byadmin

Mar 29, 2015 #Middlesbrough

pn3854 Councillors recognition 1TWO of Middlesbrough’s longest serving Councillors have been honoured for their commitment to the town.

 

Councillors Bob Kerr and Garry Clark have been elected members of the authority for more than three decades each but will stand down at the forthcoming election in May.

 

The pair – both members of the Council’s Labour group – were given recognition awards from the town’s elected Mayor Ray Mallon at a special ceremony in the Town Hall.

 

Cllr Clark said: “I’m pleased we have been given this recognition and it has been a very special occasion. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Middlesbrough.”

 

Cllr Kerr added: “Through my position as a Councillor I have been privileged to get to know a lot of people who otherwise I wouldn’t have known and I will always be grateful for that.”

 

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: “Middlesbrough’s Councillors perform a vital role for the town, representing the interests of the constituents in their wards as well as the interests of the town as a whole.

 

“Over more than three decades, Councillors Bob Kerr and Garry Clark have shown commitment and dedication to make this town a better place to live and work, and they fully deserve to be recognised for their commitment to public service.”

 

Councillor Kerr first stood for election in a Coulby Newham ward by-election in 1982.

 

That bid was unsuccessful, but the following year he was elected to represent the Ayresome Ward, where he remained as a Councillor until 1995.

 

After a spell in Kirby Ward, Cllr Kerr has represented Clairville since 2003.

 

He has held a number of positions within the Council including chairing the Environment Scrutiny Panel, and he is currently Chair of the Council and Chair of the Constitution and Members’ Development Committee.

 

Cllr Kerr also represents the Council on a number of outside bodies including Marton Grove and Beech Grove Schools, Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD) and Northern Arts.

 

Councillor Garry Clark was also first elected to Middlesbrough Council in 1983, representing Beechwood Ward for 32 years and winning eight elections.

 

Cllr Clark joined ICI after leaving school, serving time as a sheet metal worker. He later worked for Teesside County Borough Council from 1971 until its abolition in 1974, and Cleveland County Council from 1974 until its abolition in 1996, where he worked in the Personnel Department.

 

He joined the Labour Party in 1974 and is still a member, and throughout his career he has been an active Trade Union member.

 

He was Chairman of the Area 1 Housing Committee for 13 years and currently chairs the Council’s Corporate Affairs and Audit Committee. As Councillor Advocate he is responsible for looking after the interests of all Members, and he is also the longest serving member of the Cleveland Fire Authority

By admin