Tributes have been flooding in from across the political spectrum following news of the death of Stirling Council’s leader, Councillor Margaret Brisley, at the weekend.
Stirling Council said today it was “deeply saddened” at her death yesterday, which was said to have followed a short illness. She was 79.
The Bannockburn and Eastern Villages Ward member, who served as a Labour councillor for 44 years before becoming Stirling Council Leader in September, passed away on Sunday.
Stirling Council Deputy Leader, Labour Councillor Gerry McGarvey, led the tributes from across the political spectrum.
He said: “Margaret was returned as a councillor at each of the 11 elections she stood in, which is testament to the dedication and hard work she undertook on behalf of her constituents.
“She was an effective representative of the people of Bannockburn and the Eastern Villages for more than four decades and a champion for every just cause in the ward. She ensured the voices of her constituents were heard, their issues addressed and their needs met.
“She commanded the utmost respect from senior officers and elected members from across the political spectrum.
“Her calming and professional presence will be missed at Stirling Council and I am both sad at her passing and also that I will not have more opportunity to learn from her.”
Prior to her appointment as Council Leader, Margaret had served as Deputy Leader since 2022 and was also a former Provost.
A retired teacher, she was particularly passionate about children’s services and was a former convener of the Children & Young People Committee.
Away from politics, Margaret was a keen dog lover, proud ‘mum’ to Casper her beloved Bichon Frise and an avid attender of Crufts.
Conservative Stirling Council Group Leader, Cllr Neil Benny, said: “Margaret was a force of nature. A long standing servant of her community – and of Stirling – it is hard to imagine a Stirling Council without her.
“She represented a tradition of local politics which put the people of Stirling first and transcended the narrow party politics we have grown used to these days. When we disagreed the arguments were forthright and tenacious, but without rancour or malice and the decisions we came to were all the better for the debate.
“I first met Margaret 18 years ago and, as a new councillor, she was a mentor to me and to many others over the years. Even when she was pointing out where I was wrong, she was supportive and never chiding. She was generous and kind. My thoughts are with her family at this time. She will be missed by the council, by her community and by me.”
SNP Stirling Council Group Leader, Cllr Scott Farmer, added: “On behalf of the SNP Group I would like to pass on my condolences to Margaret’s family and her colleagues in the Labour Group.
“Margaret was a formidable politician. She was a colleague and a friend and her passing is so terribly sad. She made such a tremendous contribution to her local community, as well as the wider Stirling electorate.”
Caroline Sinclair, Chief Executive of Stirling Council, said: “Everyone across Stirling, not just in Bannockburn and the Eastern Villages, knew and respected Margaret, both as a teacher and as a dedicated councillor.
“She was hugely respected across the council chamber and by the workforce and for her dedication to the community, in particular championing the cause of children and young people.
“She will be sorely missed and the thoughts of everyone at Stirling Council are with Julie, Paul and the family at this sad time.”
Margaret is survived by daughter Julie and son Paul, grandchildren Sarah, Gary, Hannah, Elizabeth and Lloyd and great-grandson Adam.