‘He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and sense of humour’

Tributes have been paid to a former leader of Leeds City Council after his death following a short illness.

Keith Wakefield died in St Gemma’s Hospice in the early hours of Saturday, aged 78.

He was a councillor for Barwick and Kippax ward from 1988 to 2004 and then the Kippax and Methley ward from 2004 to 2019, and served as leader of Leeds City Council between 2003-2024 and 2010-2015.

The former leader of Leeds City Council, Keith Wakefield, has died aged 78 | Yorkshire Post Newspapers

In a statement, Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, and Ed Whiting, the council’s chief executive, said: “Across decades of public service, Keith made an enormous contribution to Leeds and was a passionate advocate for the city and its communities.

“Many people across Leeds and beyond will remember his not only for his leadership and commitment to public service, but also for his kindness, generosity and sense of humour.

“We know that this news will be felt by many colleagues and partners who had the privilege of working with Keith. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this sad time.”

In his second stint as leader, Mr Wakefield took charge of the council as the Coalition Government made huge cuts to local authority budgets as part of its austerity programme.

Along with then-council chief executive Tom Riordan, he was central in persuading councils in Yorkshire to back the hosting of the start of the Tour de France in 2014.

Keith Wakefield pictured in 2004, holding a spirit level in protest of the council's refusal to install winter grit bins in Methley | Yorkshire Post Newspapers

In a joint statement, the councillors of Kippax and Methley - Coun Lewis, Coun Michael Miller and Coun Mary Harland - also paid tribute to their former colleague.

They said: “We were still campaigning together for Mary’s election in May this year. I know many people will remember Keith fondly for his work in the area for decades, his kindness and sense of humour and we will really miss him.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Mr Wakefield had a daughter Dawn in his 20s, and then after heading to Leeds in his 30s he married twice.

His first marriage, to Ruth, produced another daughter, Jessica, and a son, Michael.

He was elected to the city council in 1988 and said his proudest achievements were the setting up the one-stop shops (the local initiative providing benefits and services under one roof) and helping to secure 2014’s Yorkshire leg of the Tour de France.