The leader of Stafford Borough Council has paid tribute following the death of a former Mayor of the Borough.

The funeral of Alderman Brian Price, who represented his community on the council for nearly 30 years, will take place next month.

Council Leader, Aidan Godfrey, said Brian was a ‘stalwart of civic life’ and that his ‘hard work, good humour and sensible guidance’ were a great loss to the borough.

During his time as a councillor he represented the Swynnerton Ward from 1987-1995 and 1999-2019. He was Mayor of the Borough in 2007/2008 and Deputy Mayor of the Borough in 1991/1992 and 2017/2018.  He was awarded the position of Honorary Alderman in November 2019.

Brian, who was 87 when he passed away, had served as an Instrument Technician in the Royal Air Force - and one of his proudest moments in his role as Mayor was in 2008 when he handed the ‘Freedom of the Borough’ scrolls to the Tactical Supply Wing of the RAF (TSW) and 22 Signal Regiment – before they exercised their ‘Freedom’ with a parade in the county town.

Councillor Godfrey said: “It is with great sadness that I learnt of Alderman David Brian Price’s passing. Brian was an extremely popular member of Stafford Borough Council. He worked very hard for his constituents, always with charm, humour and a great sense of what is right and wrong. He represented the north of the Borough for many years and rightly became very popular with his constituents.

“Brian played an active role in the management of the Borough and was a stalwart of civic life, having been Mayor of the Borough and twice Deputy Mayor.

“Like many others, I always valued Brian’s advice, especially as a new councillor. He had wise words and always pointed colleagues in the right direction. Brian crossed the political divide and made representing his community the most important part of his public service.”

He added: “His hard work, good humour and sensible guidance are a great loss to our Borough. In the years I have been a member of Stafford Borough Council I have met and worked with some special people, Brian is one of them. I will miss him.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, I am sure they are very proud of him.”

Councillor Jeremy Pert, Conservative Group Leader, said: “Brian was a Councillor for many years and typified many hard working local community champions who served his community loyally for many years, being made an Alderman of the Borough as a direct result of his distinguished service.

“He always had wise words, using his knowledge, expertise and experience to support his in-depth insight of the Borough to offer wise counsel across many different areas. His insight and input was a constant and he is sorely missed.

“We would like to pass on our condolences to his family at what must be a difficult time."

A Civic funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church in Stafford at 2pm on Wednesday 4 September.

Press Release No 6144