Death of council stalwart
Flags were flying at half-mast above Telford & Wrekin Council's civic headquarters today following the death of a councillor.
Ute Sambrook, 67, Labour ward member for The Nedge, lost her battle against cancer and died yesterday afternoon at the Severn Hospice.
Councillor Sambrook was elected to the then Wrekin District Council in 1976 and, after serving one term of office, moved from Woodside to Stirchley and joined the district council as an officer working in leisure.
She was later elected to Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council which she served on for 15 years, including 12 as chairman.
She also served as parish councillor for Hollinswood and Randlay and was elected to represent The Nedge on Wrekin Council in 2003. She was cabinet member for adult social care from 2004 to 2007.
Councillor Keith Austin, leader of the Labour group, said he was deeply saddened at the news and Conservative group leader Councillor Steve Bentley said she was a hardworking councillor.
