‘A trailblazer’: Tributes to former council leader Simone Butterworth

‘DEDICATED TO HULL’: Simone Butterworth, who has died aged 77

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Flags at the Guildhall are flying half-mast in honour of former Hull City Council leader Simone Butterworth, who has died aged 77 after a short illness.

Ms Butterworth, an Honorary Alderman, was the first and so for only female leader of the council.

She was first elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in the Avenue ward in 1994, and went on to lead the council from 2002 until 2003.

Current council leader, Councillor Mike Ross, who was first elected to the council during her leadership, said: “Simone was someone who was dedicated to the city of Hull and the people she was elected to serve.

“Simone was renowned for her tenacity, always pursuing whatever cause she got behind with passion and belief.

“As the first female council leader, Simone was a trailblazer.

“She led the council during a difficult period for the authority, but while she only served as leader for one year, her commitment to the city and community was unswerving during and after this time.

“My condolences go out to her family and friends.”

Ms Butterworth was a long-serving chair of the council’s health scrutiny committee and deputy chair of KWL, the council-owned works company.

As a ward councillor she helped set up a breakfast club at Thoresby Primary School and had previously worked as manager of a children’s home.

Ms Butterworth was also a board director at Hull Truck Theatre among other appointments.

City politics reporter Angus Young said: “She led the council during a politically turbulent year in her typically firm but fair style.

“By winning control at the Guildhall from Labour in 2002, she really broke the mould of local politics in Hull by ensuring a strong Lib Dem presence on the council.

“Simone also had a wicked sense of humour. On an official visit to the [then] KC Stadium during its construction, we all had to meet outside in West Park.

“She greeted me by deliberately grinding the stiletto heel of her shoe into the top of my foot while smiling and wishing me good morning.”