After 50 years, longserving councillor to step down in May
READING’S longest serving councillor has announced he will step down from the council when his tenure comes to a close next year.
Cllr Tony Page, the Labour candidate in the Abbey Ward and current mayor, is to retire in May.
It follows 50 years of service to the council – a record in the local authority.
Former mayor David Stevens will replace Cllr Page as Labour’s candidate in Abbey Ward.
Cllr Page, addressing his Abbey Branch colleagues, said: “It has been a huge honour to have represented the town centre area for over 50 years.
“The changes have been enormous and hugely positive, although many challenges still remain for younger members of the council.
“Reading Labour have made great strides in key issues, like addressing the climate crisis and building more affordable housing, but the town needs a Labour government more than ever to help us realise our ambitions for the community.”
It comes days after Cllr Page was given the Special Recognition Award at the Pride of Reading Awards (see pages 18-21)
Cllr Page first won a seat on the council when he was 19, representing the now defunct Castle ward,
In his five decades of service, he played a part in the launch of The Oracle shopping centre, reforms to public transport, and the establishment of Green Park.
More recently, he has celebrated the opening of Green Park Station, marked the centenary of Reading Bridge, and was invited to visit Germany by his counterpart in Reading’s twin town of Düsseldorf, Oberbürgermeister Stephan Keller.
When he was elected mayor in May, Cllr Page spoke of his time as chairman of Reading Buses, having overseen the move from the old depot in Mill
Lane to its current location in Great Knollys Street.
His mayoral charities are Berkshire Refugee Support and The Stroke Association.
Reading East MP, Matt Rodda, said: “Tony Page has made an incredible contribution during his 50 years’ service on Reading Borough Council.
“He played a key in transport and planning over many years and has been a dedicated ward councillor, representing local residents in the town centre.
“Tony is well-known throughout Berkshire and across the country as a leading figure in local Government, he has played an important role in the Local Government Association.
“He also served as a special advisor to the former Labour MP and now member of the House of Lords, Jack Cunningham, when Lord Cunningham Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment in the 1980s.”