One of England’s longest serving councillors has been recognised for his 57 years of work throughout Salford.
Councillor David Lancaster, MBE, of Salford City Council, who is thought to be the longest serving councillor in England still in office, was presented with a framed map of Salford by the Ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Ann-Marie Humphreys.
After being elected, age 21, to Eccles council in 1965, he held the position until defeated in the 1968 elections.
Re-elected to represent Eccles Council in 1969, Cllr Lancaster MBE later served on Salford Council on 7 May 1970 to represent Winton.
In 1974, through local government re-organisation, Salford Council became Salford City Council. Councillor Lancaster became a full-time councillor in 1999 and over the years has held a number of different roles with Salford City Council and at Greater Manchester level.
Today we said a huge ‘thank you’ to Cllr David Lancaster, one of England’s longest serving local councillors with 52 years of dedicated service. He was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to the community in Salford and charitable services to elderly people. pic.twitter.com/ROsTeQ4OAy
— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) February 22, 2023
He was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to the community in Salford and charitable services to elderly people through the Salfordian Hotel Trust, a Southport hotel owned by Salford City Council which provides affordable and accessible breaks for local people.
Councillor Lancaster now represents Barton and Winton, following boundary changes, as well as serving as Executive Support Member for Environment, Neighbourhoods and Community Safety.
He became deputy council leader in 2003 after becoming a founding member of The Lowry Trust which ensures local people, especially schoolchildren, benefit from opportunities connected with the nationally renowned The Lowry theatre and art gallery complex.
Councillor Lancaster MBE said: “Through my work in housing and as a trade unionist I saw there was real need for social and economic change, and I wanted to be part of pushing that forward. I am proud that Salford has pioneered so many initiatives over the years to improve people’s lives,” he said.
“Having said that we are well aware we still face huge challenges of poverty and low wages, low skills and aspirations and poor health which limit people’s lives and not enough affordable housing, though the council and its partners are doing all we can to tackle those issues. The strength of our partnership working in Salford is second to none.
“One of my proudest achievements was the launch of Project Gulf in 2010 which brought the council and Greater Manchester Police together with housing, justice and health to disrupt and deal with organised crime gangs and steer young people into more positive life choices. Gulf has since been copied up and down the country and has proved invaluable in the fight against organised crime.”
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