Les Hamilton, councillor for South Portslade, has said he will be standing down today after a lifetime of dedicated service to Brighton and Hove.
Councillor Hamilton said: “It has been a tremendous honour to be able to make a difference for local people.
“Over the last 52 years, I’ve served as a councillor under the former Portslade Urban District Council, Hove Borough Council and now Brighton and Hove City Council.
“I was part of the first Labour administration on Hove Council in the 1990s and was proud to serve as mayor.
“As residents in my ward will know, I am a staunch champion of Portslade, where I have lived for over 75 years.”
He added: “Age has now caught up with me and tells me it’s time to slow down and give up being a councillor.
“I thank everyone who has voted for me and supported me.
“I hope people will respect my privacy and give me space to deal with these changes after a lifetime of service to the city.”
Councillor Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “I would like to thank Les for his contribution to civic life in our city over the last 52 years and to the Labour Party.
“Les has been a stalwart campaigner for Portslade over many years and has made a huge contribution to the city as a councillor, committee member and mayor.”
The council’s returning officer will set a date for a by-election which is expected to be sometime in January.
Peter Atkinson, Independent councillor for North Portslade, added: “This is a very sad day for Portslade. Les has been an absolute trooper over the years and has offered help to anyone who asked him.
“He was a great source of advice when I was first elected and even though I’m no longer a Labour councillor has always remained polite and approachable.
“Whoever takes over from him at the by-election has a very, very hard act to follow.”
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