A FORMER Stockton-on-Tees Councillor with more than three decades’ service is the proposed recipient of a prestigious Freedom of the Borough accolade.
The proposal to confer the honour on Bob Gibson OBE will be considered in a special meeting of Council at Stockton Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 July).
If granted, his name will be placed on the Roll of Honorary Freeman of the Borough by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. The award of Honorary Freeman is the highest honour a Council can bestow and as such is rarely given.
Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Ian Dalgarno, said: “Bob is one of our longest serving councillors and has dedicated a large part of his life to serve our local communities and Council.
“Over the years he has been at the forefront of shaping services to benefit residents in his ward, Borough and the wider Tees Valley region. His commitment and achievements throughout his time in local government are commendable – the Honour of the Freedom of the Borough would be a very well deserved accolade.”
Bob Gibson OBE has been a leading figure in local politics for more than 30 years.
He came into politics through the Stockton Trades Council before being elected in Parkfield Division to Cleveland County Council.
He first gained a seat on Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in 1983, representing the Newtown ward until his retirement earlier this year. In 1990, Bob Gibson took over as Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council until May 2007.
He was also chairman of the Association of North East Councils and the North East Assembly and was awarded the OBE in 2006 for services to local government.