Sheffield Council stalwart Jackie Drayton announces she will not stand for re-election in May

Coun Drayton has been a Labour councillor for Burngreave since 1996 and is Cabinet member for children and families.

In an email to Labour councillors late last night, she said: “Just to let you know that at my ward meeting tonight I informed members that I would not be seeking re-election as the candidate for Burngreave in May and I will be removing my name from the panel.

“Thanks so much for your support over these difficult times.”

Coun Drayon is a close ally of Council Leader Julie Dore. When she was last elected in 2016, she comfortably held the seat with 67 per cent of the vote. Labour was 3,000 votes ahead of their next nearest political rival.

A former Lord Mayor, she has had a particular interest in education and health throughout her Town Hall career.

Originally from Coventry, she has lived in Burngreave for 40 years. She left school at a young age and had children before moving to Sheffield.

COUNCIL: Demand for council homes increases - but there is no cash to build them

After becoming involved in her local community, she took classes in art and teaching and studied for A levels as an adult then went to university for a degree in education.

She described becoming a Burngreave councillor as 'one of the proudest moments' of her life and says there is nowhere she would rather live.

She once said: “Burngreave is a fantastic place to live and I have known nothing but kindness.

“My life has been enriched by living in Burngreave. It has a lot of troubles, but we all have those, it's got such a strong community spirit.

“Over the time I've lived here I've made some wonderful friends, had great neighbours and met people from all around the world.”

She became Lord Mayor in 2006 and said at the time: “Well what can I say. I can’t believe it and I have to keep pinching myself. Me, Jackie Drayton, a young girl off a council estate – Lord Mayor of Sheffield.”