Former Stockton Council leader Bob Gibson says farewell after 32 years in local politics

Tributes have been paid to former Stockton Council leader Bob Gibson who is quitting politics after 32 years in local government.

Cllr Gibson, who represents Stockton’s Newtown ward, has been a leading character in Teesside politics for decades.

He came into politics through the Stockton Trades Council, before being elected in Parkfield Division to Cleveland County Council almost 30 years ago.

But it was Stockton Council where his real passion lay, gaining a seat in 1983 in the Newtown Ward for Labour where he has remained ever since.

In 1990 Cllr Gibson took over as Stockton Council leader from Jim Cook. He personally helped win a £37.5m City Challenge bid for Central Stockton.

With the additional cash levered in it meant a £150m investment in the area over five years.

He played a key role in establishing Stockton Renaissance to help take forward the development of the borough.

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.

He told last night’s full meeting of Stockton Council: “I have been lucky over the years in local government to work with some brilliant people - politicians and officers.

“The biggest and the best thing that could happen to us was when we became a unitary authority.

“Quite quickly we became one of the best authorities in the country and we still are.

“It’s been very, very good for me. It broadened my mind and I did things I didn’t think I was capable of doing.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

Fellow Newtown ward Labour councillor, Cllr Paul Baker, said Cllr Gibson had “been a council leader and on every committee known to man for 32 years - that’s remarkable by any stretch of the imagination.

“He has worked diligently and been hard working in the ward. Everybody I have talked to in the ward bar none is disappointed he is not standing again.

“It’s been a privilege and an honour.”

Norton Labour councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “Bob has been to me an inspiration and a source of good advice and the occasional ticking off.”

And Parkfield and Oxbridge councillor Mohammed Javed, Labour, said: “The Asian community said ‘Give a message to Bob Gibson, we will miss him’.

“He has done a lot for the Asian community.”

As reported, another former Stockton Council leader, Ken Lupton, Conservative, is also stepping down along with several other councillors in May.