THE death of the former Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Mr Derek Cooke was announced on 25 January 2016.
Derek Cooke was a member of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council from 1973 to 1990 and was made an Honorary Alderman in 2000. He was Mayor of Stockton in 1980/81 and throughout his time on the Council represented a number of wards including Newtown and the former wards of Mile House and Hardwick. Throughout his time as a Stockton Borough Councillor he sat on, and chaired, many committees including the Community Development Committee.
Mr Cooke also served on Cleveland County Council and was Chairman of the authority from 1982 to 1983.
Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Councillor Bob Cook, said: “Derek Cooke worked tirelessly for the people of Stockton Borough and especially for those who lived in the wards he represented. He will be missed by all who knew him and his contribution to the Borough will be appreciated for many years to come.”