Two Walsall councillors to step down

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Two Walsall councillors to step down
The YamYam 28 Feb 10
Two veteran Labour councillors have announced that they will not seek re-election during polling scheduled for 2012.

Former mayor and ex-leader of Walsall Council, Bill Madeley, has represented Bentley and Darlaston North for 39 years. During his time as leader in 1998, he was regarded as a steadying influence following the turbulent years when the Walsall Labour Party tore itself apart under the leadership of “Citizen Dave” Church. After being diagnosed with stomach cancer, councillor Madeley stood down as leader, but has continued to serve local communities and charities. He was awarded the MBE in the Queen`s Birthday Honours list in 2006.

His Labour colleague, Graham Wilkes, has twice represented Darlaston South, first from 1989 and then from 2005. He is a member of the council’s Standards Committee and is also a Trustee of the Walsall School Holiday Camp Fund, owners of the under-threat Bryntysilio outdoor education centre in Llangollen, North Wales.

Councillor Madeley said: “I was going to finish last time but people asked me to stop on. You cannot stop there forever. I have done 39 years now and that is it. I need to pack it in anyway now because I need to do more with the family. That is the main reason. I shall miss it.”

The YamYam 28 Feb 10 Walsall Labour Party about to publish short list

Tags: Politics, Labour Party, Council