Long standing county councillor honoured for outstanding dedication

A Derbyshire County Councillor has been honoured for their outstanding dedication to the county and community.

Robert Parkinson received an 'Outstanding Dedication to Derbyshire' honour at a recent meeting of Derbyshire County Council’s Full Council.

The honours which recognise unstinting service, dedication and commitment to serving Derbyshire communities, have been created as part of the commemorations to mark 50 years of a modern Derbyshire County Council, which evolved following the 1974 reform of local government.

County Council Civic Chairman Councillor Tony Kemp presented Councillor Parkinson with a certificate at the beginning of the meeting, congratulating and thanking him for his service. 

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill CBE attended the presentation, which was followed by speeches from Councillor Kemp, Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis and Leader of the Labour Group Councillor Joan Dixon, who all paid tribute for their long service. Councillor Parkinson also made a speech.

88 year old Councillor Robert Parkinson was first elected on to Derbyshire County Council in 1967 standing as a Conservative councillor and since then has represented the Shardlow Division until 1974, when that ward was abolished, and then in 1977 until the present day he has represented the Draycott Division, later renamed the Breaston Division.

In his time as a county councillor, Councillor Parkinson has held many positions including vice-chairman of the audit committee, chairman of the licensing and appeals committee, a current member of the regulatory planning committee and he was the council’s first Civic Chairman in 2019-2020. 

Before the formation of the Cabinet system at the council, Councillor Parkinson also served on highways, planning and leisure committees and was a sometime member of Elvaston Castle Management Committee. 

Councillor Parkinson, who has been married to June since 1971 and has a daughter, Claire, has also been a prominent figure between 1973 – 2023 at Erewash Borough Council (EBC).

Positions he has held at EBC include twice being the council’s Leader, Deputy Mayor for 2009-2010 and Mayor for 2010-2011. Earlier this year he was appointed as an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Erewash.

Councillor Parkinson, who was a keen horseman, also worked at a number of establishments over the years, including British Celanese Ltd and Rolls Royce, retiring in 2000. 

He said: “This award has come as a big surprise and I feel very honoured to receive it. My job over the years has been to work on behalf of my constituents and do the best I could for them. It’s been a great privilege to be in a position to help people and there is great satisfaction in it.”

Civic Chairman Councillor Tony Kemp said Councillor Parkinson's length of service was a huge achivement and added: "It is only right that we recognise and celebrate their unstinting service, dedication and commitment over all these years.

“I am in no doubt that over the years, he has gone the extra mile many, many times for the people he represents  They should certainly be very proud of their achievements and service.”

Aldermen and Alderwomen Andrew Lewer MBE, Paul Smith, George Wharmby, Linda Chilton, Judith Twigg MBE and Irene Ratcliffe were in attendance at the meeting to see the Outstanding Dedication to Derbyshire presentations.

Pictured: from left to right: County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis, County Council Civic Chairman Councillor Tony Kemp, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, Councillor Robert Parkinson, Councillor Dave Allen, Leader of the Labour Group Councillor Joan Dixon and County Council Managing Director Emma Alexander.