Shirley ‘leaves a brilliant legacy of public service’
A long-serving Conservative councillor has announced plans to step down at the May 2022 local elections.
CouncillorShirleyLeadbitter, who has served Sunderland City Council’s St Peter’s ward for more than a decade, issettoretireatthenextround oflocalgovernmentelections.
First elected in 2006, the councillor served for four years before losing her seat in 2010 and then regaining it and returning to the council in 2014.
Shirley has served the city on several council committees over the years, including the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, where she used her expertise gained from working in nursing.
Cllr Leadbitter said: “I would like to thank the residents of St Peter’s for their support over the years.
“It has been an honour to represent such a wonderful community on Sunderland City Council.
“I know that St Peter’s is in safe hands with Cllr Josh McKeith and Cllr Sam Johnston who will continue to build on the work that we have been doing.
“I encourage you to vote for [Conservative candidate] Lynn Vera in May, she would makeafantasticcouncillorfor St Peter’s.”
In recent years, Shirley Leadbitter was the sole Conservative councillor in the St Peter’sward,withthetwoother seats occupied by Labour councillors.
Howeverelectoralsuccesses for the Sunderland Conservatives
have seen the ward turn blue, with two new Conservative councillors elected in 2019 and 2021.
Ward colleagues have praised Shirley’s record of “standing up for local residentsandworkingtoimprove her community”.
Cllr Joshua McKeith, St Peter’s ward councillor, said: “Shirleyhasbeenatruefriend and mentor to me these past three years.
“Her hard work and dedication to St Peter’s ward will not be forgotten and however
for now, I wish her a happy retirement.”
Cllr Sam Johnston, St Peter’s ward councillor, added: “Ithasbeenanabsolutepleasure to serve alongside Shirley for the past year.
“As a new councillor you needsomeonetoshowyouthe ropes, and Shirley has done that for me.
“I’d like to wish Shirley a long and happy retirement, safe in the knowledge that she leavesabrilliantlegacyofpublicserviceandachievementin our ward.”