The following announcement has been made by Newcastle City Council:
Tributes were paid today to a former Lord Mayor of Newcastle who has passed away.
Former Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Cookson died on Sunday 13 January after a short illness. He was 74.
He was Lord Mayor from May 2009 to May 2010 and became an Alderman in 2012. In 2006 he became Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport when the city council was controlled by the Liberal Democrats.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes, said: “Mike was a real gentleman who cared deeply about our great city and served with distinction as Lord Mayor and as a Cabinet Member.
“My heartfelt sympathies are with his wife, family and many colleagues who will miss him dearly.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, Cllr Anita Lower, said: “Mike will be fondly remembered by councillors from all political parties.
“He was a great ambassador for his community. Along with his wife Dorrie, he served as Lord Mayor and gave distinguished service to the city.
“He bore his illness with great dignity as he did all things and I personally will remember the support and encouragement he gave to me.
“Our thoughts are with his family.”
Mr Cookson leaves a wife and son.
Notes to editors:
In 2010 Mr Cookson was the first Lord Mayor in 900 years to swear in women as hereditary freemen of Newcastle.
He was first elected as a councillor on 4th May 1978 representing Gosforth ward until 1988.
In 2000 he was elected to represent South Gosforth ward and following boundary changes in 2004 he represented East Gosforth Ward until 2011.
The above news story was issued by Newcastle City Council and included on the Newcastle City Council website.