Councillor Derek Bateman R.I.P

Tonight I have received information that my cousin in Chester Derek Bateman died on Saturday 31 July. My deepest sympathy goes to Jenny his wife and his family.

Derek gave a great deal of his life to the Labour Party and was the elected Leader of the Labour Group on Cheshire West and Chester Council, Derek died suddenly on Saturday, at his Ellesmere Port home.

Councillor Derek Bateman, 62, who had spent almost 40 years in local politics, is thought to have suffered a heart attack while asleep.

Four years ago, the Labour leader defied all the odds by resuming a distinguished career in local government following major open heart surgery. One of his many hospital visitors was Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The evening before his death Derek had spoken to members of the Chester Labour Party of his pride in the local election result which had produced the largest Unitary Labour gain of any English council.

Both my wife and I know how much effort he put into the Labour Party and how much he enjoyed helping others