Cedric Clarke is a retired British Labour politician. He was the first black Leeds City Councillor, serving from 1980 to 1990 and was made an Honorary Alderman of Leeds in 2016
Cedric Clarke | |
|---|---|
| Leeds City Councillor for Chapel Allerton Ward | |
| In office 1980–1990 | |
| Succeeded by | Norma Hutchinson |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Labour |
Personal life
editPrior to his election as a councillor, Clarke worked as a plasterer and lived in Chapeltown with his wife and three children.[1] Active in the local community, Clarke volunteered with probation services and was a trainee preacher at Roscoe Methodist Church.[1] He established the United Caribbean Association, along with the founder of Leeds West Indian Carnival, Arthur France.[2]
Career
editClarke was elected to represent the Chapel Allerton ward in 1980, becoming the first African-Caribbean councillor in Leeds.[3][1] He was involved with a number of council initiatives, for example chairing the Equal Opportunities Committee for Leeds City Council.[4][5] Within three years of being elected, Clarke and his fellow-councillors introduced 220 new houses to the area, consistent street-cleaning, homes for the elderly, new nursery units and support for small businesses.[1] Despite these achievements he lost his seat on Leeds City Council in 1990.[1]
Honours
editIn 2016 Clarke was appointed an Honorary Alderman of Leeds in recognition of his work in the city.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "People of Leeds #2: Cedric Clarke". The Secret Library | Leeds Libraries Heritage Blog. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ a b "New additions to Leeds roll of honour". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ "Gallic flair". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ Equality, Commission for Racial. Positive Action in Local Authority Employment:Seminar Proceedings at Leeds Civic Hall, Thursday 4 December 1986 (Report). Commission for Racial Equality. JSTOR community.28327917.
- ^ Municipal Review & AMA News. Association of Metropolitan Authorities. 1987.