Councillor Mary Mears to stand down

Long standing Councillor, Mary Mears, will step down today, Friday 24 February after 30 years representing her constituents, due to ill health. 

Councillor Mears was first elected in 1992 for Brighton Borough Council and was later Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council between 2008 to 2011. Mary was representing Rottingdean Coastal Ward.

Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Steve Bell said: 

“Mary is a true Brightonian and loved the east of the city, with her deep links to Whitehawk, Rottingdean and Woodingdean, where residents know her well.

“It was cruel on Mary that she suffered a stroke last year just before she was set to take on the Mayoralty of the City, which she was so looking forward to and had been approaching with such energy.

“We would like to thank the Council for giving Mary and opportunity to recover and continue as a Councillor, which sadly has not been possible.  We would also like to thank the many people and Councillors who have sent their best wishes and visited Mary personally as she continues rehabilitation.”

Current Leader of the Council, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “As current Leader I want to pass on my best wishes and thanks to Mary for her many years of service to the people of Brighton & Hove, including serving as Leader between 2008-2011. 

“We crossed swords many times but fundamentally no one can take away from her that she was repeatedly re-elected. Out of the tussle of public political debate, Mary won the esteem of councillors from all political groups and none and continuously worked on behalf of residents and council housing tenants all over the city.”

City-wide local elections will take place in May and there will be no by-election in the ward before then.