Newham Council will honour Cllr Neil Wilson on 9 Oct. A devoted public servant, he served Plaistow for 30+ years. A funeral will be held in his memory on Thursday 11 September at St Alban the Martyr.
Councillor Neil Wilson, who died in July, will be remembered by Newham Councillors at the next meeting of Newham’s Full Council on Thursday 9 October at Old Town Hall Stratford. Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, and Chair of Council, and First Citizen of the borough, Councillor Dr Rohit K Dasgupta, will lead councillors in a minute silence, followed by tributes from colleagues.
Councillor Wilson served on Newham Council representing the people of Plaistow for more than three decades, earning him the title Father of the Council. He was first elected to Hudson Ward in 1994, and represented Plaistow South since 2002. He was appointed Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care in 2022, and served as Vice-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board. He was also the Council’s Mental Health Champion. Previously he had held a number of positions, including Executive Member for Equalities and Social Inclusion, Chair of Licensing Committee, and he served on the Council’s Secure Accommodation Review Panel and the Newham Schools Forum.
Councillor Wilson was a former teacher and policy adviser and continued to be passionate about education, serving as a school governor for over 40 years, including at St James CE Controlled Junior School and St Lukes Church of England (CE) Voluntary Aided Primary School. At the London East Connexions Service he developed a new partnership agreement between the 50 colleges and 250 schools in the sub-region, before moving onto the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority where he researched provision for post 16 students and policy development on the Extended Diploma, before working on the development of the Common Assessment Framework for Hackney Council’s Youth Support Team.
Mayor Fiaz said: “Neil was much loved and achieved so much in the borough and beyond. He was a committed and hard-working servant in so many aspects of public life. He was gregarious, quick witted and loved being with our communities and talking with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. As well as his strong work ethic, he had a deep commitment to supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, especially those facing prejudice and discrimination because he was an advocate for equality and justice. He was anchored by deep and unstinting faith that informed his political values and why he was an inspirational teacher early in his career as well as an inspirational leader.
“Neil always understood that people must come first and was deeply committed to improving lives and empowering others. He was a passionate advocate of public health and went deep into the communities to see firsthand the impact of poverty and inequality. For instance, he would regularly take part in the Council’s overnight rough sleeper counts, talking to those he met and making sure they were supported. He was also passionate about his advocacy for those who felt voiceless or who were vulnerable because he placed a premium on their dignity.”
Cllr Sarah Ruiz, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Sustainable Transport said: “Neil was shaped by his beginnings, growing up in a post-war working-class household in Dundee. Food wasn’t to be wasted, and he and his brothers were encouraged to use their natural gifts and work-hard at school. He was a devoted Christian and worshipper at St Alban the Martyr, Holborn where he also sat on the Parochial Parish Council. He loved opera and classical music and was a regular at the Barbican and the Royal Opera House, ensuring that he never missed a production at Covent Garden
during a season. He was a great friend and colleague who will be missed by all who knew him.”
Newham Labour Group colleague Cllr Simon Rush said: “At university Neil’s passion for tackling injustice led him to party politics. He is fondly remembered by pupils he taught, and his experience in the classroom stood him in good stead canvassing on the doorstep, never shying away from difficult conversations, and in the Council chamber, where his orating prowess came into its own. An Arsenal fan, Neil was also a keen and talented pianist. He is remembered for his wise advice, counsel and kindness, that was always on offer.”
Mayor Fiaz added: “Neil said he was driven by his outlook, to get the best out of life by being positive, hard-working and also enjoying himself. He always sought to contribute to others and wanted to give something back to society. This is how we will remember him, and why we give thanks for his life of service to the people and communities of Newham. May he rest in eternal peace with his God always.”
Councillor Wilson’s funeral will be held at St Alban the Martyr, Holborn on Thursday 11 September, at noon.
