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A former leader of Stirling Council has been posthumously put forward for a top honour marking her more than four decades of service. Veteran Labour councillor Margaret Brisley passed away in October last year after 44 years of involvement in the council, beginning with her career as a representative for Bannockburn and finishing with a stint as the local authority’s leader. She was in the top position at the time of her death - with councillors from across the political spectrum offering their tributes and memories. The former Provost has now been put forward for the ‘Lifetime Legend’ accolade at the LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, which recognise the very best of local elected politicians from all over the UK. The category which the former Stirling leader has been represented in recognises “councillors who, over many years of public service, have made a lasting and transformative difference to their communities”. In the submission to go along with her nomination, the award’s organisers said: “Her nomination praised her dedication to the community and residents, delivering real improvements to services and community facilities. “A retired teacher, she was particularly passionate about children’s services and she made local government better by collaborating with others to achieve positive change.” The winners in Scotland will be revealed on Wednesday at the Glasgow City Chambers, with the judging panel comprised of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. Following Ms Brisley’s death, her former colleagues at the council were keen to offer their own reflections. Cllr Gerry McGarvey, on behalf of the council Labour group and larger constituency Labour Party, thanked elected members, members of all parties, officers, representatives of many of the council’s partners, and members of the public who had expressed condolences, saying “the breadth and depth of the response” from across politics and the Stirling area had taken him by surprise despite being aware of her “outstanding commitment to public service over 44 years, and to the people of Bannockburn,” and her role in improving the lives of women generally in society and advancing the role of women in public life. He added: “There is no doubting...that Margaret was a strong woman, and that in itself can be a challenge to many. But it is that strength of character and determination that only trailblazers have, that gets things done, and over 44 years she got things done - and only occasionally had to resort to her ‘teacher’s voice’ to make that happen. “I have listened to countless people share countless stories of countless occasions where Margaret made a difference to theirs, their families’ and their communities’ lives, often quietly and without fuss or fanfare. “Many councillors of all parties, some round this table, and some generations past, have shared with me how she taught them key elements of the councillors’ trade - and I will add myself as amongst that number. Conservative group leader Cllr Neil Benny said he remembered her as an “encouraging” person, even across the political divide. He added: “I think she encouraged a huge number of us and a huge number of people in the Stirling area to either get involved or do more. She was a fantastic community champion. “You saw that in the sheer number of people at her funeral who were there from the community, there to show their respects for someone who had been a champion not only for the community of Bannockburn but the entire Eastern Villages for so long. “She was massively committed to Stirling. “She would always try to get you to agree with her, even after she’d won the argument and the debate and won the vote. But she wanted to get people on side and that’s the true mark of a fantastic politician, even one I wouldn’t necessarily have the same opinion with at times.”
