Telford & Wrekin Council leader pays tribute to Peter Gibbons
Telford & Wrekin Council’s new leader Kuldip Sahota has paid tribute to Peter Gibbons, who has passed away aged 91.
Mr Gibbons had been one of the longest serving councillors in Britain with more than 50 years service as a Labour councillor at town, district and county level.
He was also awarded Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Telford and Wrekin at the annual council meeting in 2009, when he was described as having made a “selfless contribution to public service” who richly deserved the honour.
Councillor Sahota today paid this tribute to Mr Gibbons: “He was one of the best known public figures in the borough and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
“His contribution to public life in Telford and Wrekin was virtually unparalleled. He had served as a councillor on Oakengates Urban District Council, Oakengates Town Council and also became the first chairman of the new Wrekin District Council in 1974.
“He also sat on the current Telford & Wrekin Council when it became a unitary authority in 1998, finally stepping down in 2000 after amassing an amazing 52 years of public service.
“He was also an early member of the Telford Development Corporation board and was therefore instrumental in Telford and Wrekin becoming the vibrant new town it is today.”
