Labour councillor Les Hamilton, 82, has stepped down from the council today after serving the south Portslade area for more than 50 years.
The former mayor of Hove, who was re-elected to Brighton and Hove City Council in May, stood down as chair of the Labour group of councillors a month ago.
Councillor Hamilton, a retired teacher, is the only councillor to have have served on Portslade Urban District Council, Hove Borough Council and Brighton and Hove City Council.
A by-election will follow, with a date in January to be set by the council’s returning officer.
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 Portslade Urban District Council, Hove Borough Council and 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.
“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.”
His Labour colleague for South Portslade, Councillor Alan Robins, said: “I can’t begin to tell you how much I will miss him. We’ve worked together for more than 12 years.
“We’re by some way the longest serving partnership on the council and in all that time I can honestly say we’ve never had a cross word.
“I’ll never forget the support and help and the wise counsel he’s given me over the years.
“Although he’s given up his role as councillor, he’s made it clear to me that he still wants to be involved locally to help advise and do what he can.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement. I can’t imagine that it can ever be equalled.
“There will be people in Portslade my age who have never voted for anybody who wasn’t called Les Hamilton, either him or his dad.
“I’m Portslade born and bred and so I know full well how people locally know Les.
“There isn’t anybody that over the years hasn’t looked to him for help.”
In May this year, Councillor Hamilton was elected with 1,767 votes (35 per cent of the vote). Cllr Robins was elected with 1,589 votes.
Turnout in the South Portslade ward was 35.56 per cent.
After the local elections in May, he took on the role of deputy chair of the Children, Families and Schools Committee and served on the council’s Planning Committee.
Member of Parliament for Hove Peter Kyle said: “What Les has achieved over the span of his time as a teacher and a councillor is remarkable, and his love of Portslade is genuine and solid.
“If you cut him in half it would say ‘Portslade’ in him.
“I’m sorry to see Les retire but I’m glad that after 52 years in public service he finally wants to slow down.”
The Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, 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.”
Independent councillor Peter Atkinson, who represents North Portslade and was formerly a Labour councillor, said: “Les was honestly the most hard-working, diligent and committed councillor I’ve ever known.
“He was a font of knowledge and went out of his way to help me when I first became a councillor. He will be sadly missed and I wish him all the best in his much-deserved retirement.”
Mr Hamilton taught maths to generations of children at Blatchington Mill School, in Hove, and one of its predecessor schools, Hove County Grammar School for Boys, including some councillors and officers.
Perhaps not surprisingly, he later served as the finance lead on the council for Labour and chaired the committee overseeing schools. He is also a former chair of the Planning Committee.
I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Cllr. Hamilton before. He really was a geninue man who wanted to do all he can for his area.
Good luck to him and having a restful time. We wish him well.
Good luck in your retirement. Thanks for everything you have done for the residents of South Portslade and for me personally. You will be sorely missed.
Labour closing his old school may have had something to do with it
Yes sue!! 100% agree with this!!!
At least he didn’t inflict the i360 on us.
Unlike you and your party Councillor Shanks.
Shame on you!
Typical comment from Greens
It’s a pity you weren’t flushed away like the majority of Greens last May!
Totally agree!
You know Sue you could have just wished Les the best rather political point score, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Those that know Les know that this is not the issue but you carry on with idle speculation.
Wishing Les Hamilton all the best.
He certainly served Portslade South well and did an excellent job at fending off parking restrictions in the area.
I stood as an Independent Councillor for Portslade South in the last elections. I’m Portslade born and bred, and, like Les am passionate about the area and would love to see it return to the wonderful place I remember it as growing up in Locks Hill as a child.
A well deserved retirement for a selfless and hard working councillor who I was fortunate enough to be able to serve with for 4 years.
As a resident of Les’ ward and parent of St Peter’s School and Preschool, I am certain that this shambles of a Closure Proposal has a lot to do with this decision. Too many parents demanding answers, terrible decisions made on forecasts and numbers that are inaccurate, and a Labour Party Council that cannot keep to their pledges. It’s all the icing on the cake for him!!
I have known Les for over 40 years, I knew his father as well. Two of the most approachable people anyone could have met.
Les lived and breathed Portslade, a master of resilience and patience . He always tried his best for everyone, not always getting what he hoped for initially but always seemed to have a plan to get somewhere near it.
It took me a while to realise Councillors don’t have the authority I thought they had and how Council Officers frustrate Councillors in achieving their aims. This has become more apparent in recent years and in my opinion needs to be addressed.
However, we are going to loose an incredible Councillor and Portslade will notice him leaving the office he has served so well for so many years. I thank you Les for all you have done, our many emails, discussions etc.
Have a well earned rest now and all the best.
Wishing you a happy and healthy retirement Les. You’ve done so much for Portslade carrying on the legacy of your mum and dad over the years, and we’re all very grateful.
Sadly the schools closure is just the start of the scandals hitting local schools. As an area Les was closely involved with, I am sure he was horrified at the legal actions he could see coming down the pipeline.
Enough to make anyone retire after 52 years. Unless he feels he can do more from the outside than the inside. It is certainly not the Labour party he once joined. Much like football, Labour has betrayed and slayed the working class.
A really good councillor, he will sorely missed.
Thank you Les for your service. I hope that you enjoy a well deserved rest.
Les was also a dedicated Governor at Portslade Infants/ Brackenbury Primary School for many be years. Enjoy your retirement.
Yes, this Labour council are really messing up children’s education.
There will be many legal actions against the council.
What an incredible innings of service to the community. You’ll be missed. Enjoy your more than well earned retirement, Les!
I have only known Les Hamilton since being elected myself in May. We both sit on a same committee & I have found him to be courteous, knowledgeable, informative & friendly. We may be in different parties but have a common denominator to ‘do good’.
I hope his health is ok, as stepping down shortly after an election seems a tad strange. Les – you have well & truly earned your retirement.
Having known Les and his father for around 50 years we know how hard he has worked for the residents of Portslade.
We wish Les a long and happy retirement.
Cllr Carol Theobald and Geoffrey Theobald
Thanks for everything Les you have been a true champion for Portslade. All tghe best on a well earned retirement.