Published Friday 5 June 2020 at 12:34
Daughter of a weaver and a labourer, Councillor Maureen Bateson MBE has worked hard for the town she was born in and has been on her party’s top team since the borough’s formation in 1998.
Yesterday Councillor Bateson , 71, stood down as Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board member for children and education but will remain councillor for the Ewood ward for at least two years and act as assistant to her successor Cllr Julie Gunn.
First-elected to Cathedral ward in 1983, she said former Blackburn MP Barbara Castle was her ‘inspiration’ adding: “She was spellbinding.”
Maureen has put her heart and soul into championing children and young people, and her passion for women’s rights is infinite.
Her efforts were awarded in 2011 with an MBE.
Maureen has been a passionate Blackburn Rovers fan since childhood, one of her most prominent memories is overseeing the civic celebrations for the team winning the Premier League in 1995, just days before she became mayor.
Maureen said:
I have been very lucky in what I have been able to achieve. I have always believed in straight talking and to me this has all been about the people. I have enjoyed it. There will be a big hole but I have plenty to do as ward councillor and helping Julie if she wants it.
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Councillor Mohammed Khan, paid tribute to Maureen:
Maureen has made a significant contribution to the leadership of the council. She’s tremendously loyal, hardworking, compassionate and dedicated.
Her down to earth, no nonsense style is legendary and she’s best known for fiercely championing the needs of the most vulnerable children and families. Maureen is a tough task master. Whatever she gets involved in, she makes sure everybody is focused on making it a success.
I fully respect her wishes to stand down as an executive member so that she can concentrate on keeping well and her community work in her ward and beyond. She’s really happy to be passing on the reigns to another talented councillor. I’m very grateful that we will still be able make use of her expertise and experience.