Information on Loughborough

New County Leader

Posted on 30/05/2007
P. Klein

mike jones give protection from the rain to the sockmanMike Jones, who has served the local community since 1970, has been elected Chairman of Leicestershire County Council for 2007-2008. He is the longest serving County Councillor currently in office.

Mike aged 64 who represents Loughborough East has been a County Councillor (Labour) for around 37 years. He was Deputy Leader of the Council from 1982-84 and has served on all major committees and chaired the former Policy, Resources and Finance Committee for a number of years.

Until recently he was a Charnwood Borough Councillor for Loughborough Hastings ward however has retired from this post after 36 years of service. He was Leader of that Council from 1995-1999 and Joint Leader from 1999-2003 then Mayor of Charnwood during 2004-2005.

Mike is a true Loughborough native being born and educated in Loughborough. He started work in 1959 as an Architectural Draughtsman at Hathernware Ltd. He moved in 1969 to Herbert Morris Limited as a Crane Draughtsman and then in 1972 to Hawker Siddeley Power Engineering Ltd as a Plant Layout Draughtsman. Mike worked there for 17 years, eventually becoming the Company Procedures and Training Officer. He then worked for seven years as a self-employed Financial Adviser and has been the Parliamentary Caseworker to Andy Reed, MP for Loughborough, since 1997.

In 2003 he was awarded an Honorary Degree by Loughborough University for service to the local community. He has been the inspiration behind many projects in the Loughborough area including Charnwood Water, Charnwood Museum and Loughborough Town Centre Carnival and Festive Decorations.

Mike met his wife Marj in 1962 at a Rock & Roll Dance at Loughboroughs former Essoldo Ballroom, now the Reel Cinema. They married in 1964 and have two grown sons, Rich and Dave, and five Grandchildren, Andy, Steve, Rachel, Jake and Sofia. Marj has recently retired after over twenty years service at Cobden Primary School in Loughborough.

Mike and Marj believe passionately in the value of community life, and in a multi-cultural society. In this connection they believe that Sport and the Arts are great ways to bring people together and bridge cultural boundaries. They hope to be able to visit and experience local communities in all parts of the County and meet and work with people from all faiths and cultures during their period in office.

Mike Jones, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, said: "As Chairman I will have the role of representing the people of Leicestershire for the year and I will use that opportunity to do so to the absolute best of my ability. The year ahead will be full of events and will provide Marj and myself with a chance to meet so many different people from all backgrounds and cultures.