Sudden death of councillor sparks wave of tributes
BIRMINGHAM City Council colleagues have paid tribute to a popular councillor who died suddenly this week, aged 43.
The family of Penny Holbrook, a lifelong Labour stalwart who represented Stockland Green in Erdington, confirmed the tragedy on Monday.
Ms Holbrook’s unexpected death has stunned fellow politicians and community leaders who she supported through nearly two decades of public service, and a lifetime fighting to protect the most vulnerable.
Ms Holbrook joined the council in May 2003, aged just 25, representing Stockland Green.
In a statement on Monday her family said: “We are devastated to announce the death of our beloved Penny.
“As you will appreciate, this has come a huge shock to Penny’s family, friends and loved ones.
“Penny was a much-loved daughter, aunt, sister, and friend who always found time to help others and she will be missed by so many people. We are heartbroken by this news.
“As her family, we ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
Birmingham council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: “This devastating news has come as such a shock to Penny’s family, friends and colleagues at the council.
“Penny will be missed by so many people, not just in the Stockland Green community but across the whole city.
“She was a personal friend and a proud Brummie who loved her city and was committed to supporting and helping the most vulnerable, always putting the needs of others first.
“Penny will be deeply missed by everyone at Birmingham City Council, and by the people of her ward, who she held in such high regard. The thoughts of every member of the Birmingham Labour Group are with Penny’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Erdington MP Jack Dromey and fellow Stockland Green councillor Josh Jones said they were distraught.
Mr Dromey said: “Penny was one of Birmingham’s finest, a fierce champion of her beloved Erdington which she served so well.
“She worked for me in my constituency office and served with distinction as a councillor for Stockland Green.
“Local people loved her and there was no problem too big that she could not tackle to help them.
Penny was one of Birmingham’s finest, a fierce champion of her beloved Erdington which she served so well
“The loss of Penny is absolutely tragic but her memory lives on. RIP dear Penny.”
Ms Holbrook was a former member of the city’s cabinet leadership team and missed out on taking on the leadership by a single vote in 2015.
She was praised then, and since, for her honesty, for championing the worst off.
She said then: “The council I lead will never, ever forget that you judge a society, not by those at the top, but by how it stands together with the most vulnerable.” It was a mantra that shaped her political life.
Her friend and colleague Cllr Majid Mahmood said: “I, like everyone else, am shocked and saddened
with the news of the sudden death of our colleague and friend Penny.
“I have known Penny for more than 10 years, having first met her when she was delivering leaflets on my road after I was selected as the Labour Party candidate and we have remained good friends since.
“Penny was one of the most articulate and intelligent councillors in the city.
“I spoke to her a few weeks back and she was telling me how pleased she was with securing extra funding into Stockland Green to tackle anti-social behaviour and how she was looking forward to working with new colleagues next year.
“We will all miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Ms Holbrook was recently leading a campaign for action on behalf of residents in Stockland Green over the concentration of exempt and HMO hostels in the area.
This summer she helped secure £432,000 from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund to improve the area through a successful bid by Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.
Jack Dromey MP