Long-Standing South Tyneside Councillor Steps Down

A senior Labour Councillor for South Tyneside Council has resigned due to personal reasons.

Councillor Alan Kerr has stepped down as Labour Councillor for the Monkton Ward after serving as a Councillor for 22 years.

Since first being elected by the people of Hebburn in 1998, Alan Kerr has held various positions across the council including Chair of Hebburn Community Area Forum from 1999-2001, Chair of Licensing and Planning during 2002-2007 and Deputy Leader from 2007-2019, holding the portfolios for Democratic Renewal, Equality and Diversity, Policy & Performance and Heritage & Culture and Leisure.

Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Iain Malcolm, said: "Alan worked by my side as my deputy for 10 years to drive the Council's agenda.

"He has been a well-respected Cabinet Member, providing wise counsel on many occasions drawing on his long career as both a Council Officer and long-serving elected member. 

"As a ward member, Alan has been a champion for the town of Hebburn and has supported many residents and local causes over the last 22 years. 

"As he retires to spend more time with his family, I thank him on behalf of the Council for his immense contribution to South Tyneside."

In 2001, Councillor Kerr was elected as the Mayor of South Tyneside where he and his wife, Pat Kerr as Mayoress of South Tyneside, had a busy civic year attending a variety of engagements including parades, civic receptions and by invitation to community groups and events.

The highlight of their year in office was leading a delegation to South Tyneside's twin town of Wuppertal for the 50^th anniversary where Councillor Kerr gave his speech in fluent German. They also welcomed royalty to the Borough when Her Majesty the Queen visited Hedworthfield Primary School and opened the Fellgate Metro Station, as well as welcoming HRH the Duke and Duchess of Wessex on a separate occasion when they visited Simonside Youth Centre.

Councillor Wilf Flynn, Labour Councillor for Hebburn South who worked alongside Councillor Kerr as Secretary of Jarrow Constituency Labour Party for 25 years, said: "We were a true Political partnership, not just covering the administration and finance of Jarrow Constituency Labour Party, but attending Regional and National Labour Party Conferences, attending Public Enquiries when it came to attempts to impose Parliamentary & Local Government boundary changes on Jarrow & South Tyneside.

"I know Alan is held in high esteem not just in the Labour Party but in the Community, and many will be disappointed Alan will no longer be their Labour Councillor."

As well as serving as a Councillor, Alan Kerr had also worked as a Local Government Officer for over 26 years in various roles such as Transport, Management Services and Training before retiring in 1996.

Alan has been a member of the Labour party since being a young boy and has always been around local democracy and civic life having watched his father in his role as a Councillor for Hebburn whilst growing up.

He has always been extremely passionate about health matters, education and the aspirations and interests of young people and was a champion for the Youth Parliament during his time as Mayor.

He has also been a big supporter of the Customs House for many years having studied A Level drama and as a Customs House Board Member since 2012.

Since first being elected by the people of Hebburn in 1998, Alan Kerr has held various positions across the council including Chair of Hebburn Community Area Forum from 1999-2001, Chair of Licensing and Planning during 2002-2007 and Deputy Leader from 2007-2019, holding the portfolios for Democratic Renewal, Equality and Diversity, Policy & Performance and Heritage & Culture and Leisure.

Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Iain Malcolm, said: "Alan worked by my side as my deputy for 10 years to drive the Council's agenda.

"He has been a well-respected Cabinet Member, providing wise counsel on many occasions drawing on his long career as both a Council Officer and long-serving elected member. 

"As a ward member, Alan has been a champion for the town of Hebburn and has supported many residents and local causes over the last 22 years. 

"As he retires to spend more time with his family, I thank him on behalf of the Council for his immense contribution to South Tyneside."

In 2001, Councillor Kerr was elected as the Mayor of South Tyneside where he and his wife, Pat Kerr as Mayoress of South Tyneside, had a busy civic year attending a variety of engagements including parades, civic receptions and by invitation to community groups and events.

The highlight of their year in office was leading a delegation to South Tyneside's twin town of Wuppertal for the 50^th anniversary where Councillor Kerr gave his speech in fluent German. They also welcomed royalty to the Borough when Her Majesty the Queen visited Hedworthfield Primary School and opened the Fellgate Metro Station, as well as welcoming HRH the Duke and Duchess of Wessex on a separate occasion when they visited Simonside Youth Centre.

Councillor Wilf Flynn, Labour Councillor for Hebburn South who worked alongside Councillor Kerr as Secretary of Jarrow Constituency Labour Party for 25 years, said: "We were a true Political partnership, not just covering the administration and finance of Jarrow Constituency Labour Party, but attending Regional and National Labour Party Conferences, attending Public Enquiries when it came to attempts to impose Parliamentary & Local Government boundary changes on Jarrow & South Tyneside.

"I know Alan is held in high esteem not just in the Labour Party but in the Community, and many will be disappointed Alan will no longer be their Labour Councillor."

As well as serving as a Councillor, Alan Kerr had also worked as a Local Government Officer for over 26 years in various roles such as Transport, Management Services and Training before retiring in 1996.

Alan has been a member of the Labour party since being a young boy and has always been around local democracy and civic life having watched his father in his role as a Councillor for Hebburn whilst growing up.

He has always been extremely passionate about health matters, education and the aspirations and interests of young people and was a champion for the Youth Parliament during his time as Mayor.

He has also been a big supporter of the Customs House for many years having studied A Level drama and as a Customs House Board Member since 2012.