TRIBUTES have been paid to a former mayor of Oxford, who also served as deputy leader of the city council and chair of the county council.
Gill Sanders was a city councillor for 26 years, and a county councillor for nine.
In 2018, she was named an Honorary Alderwoman for her ‘outstanding service and dedication’ to Oxford.
Originally from Swansea, Mrs Sanders was the mother of two sons, and was also a grandmother.
She worked in Oxford schools for 25 years and earlier in life, she had been an air traffic control assistant and was one of the very few women in the country to be in the profession.
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Mrs Sanders was first elected to Oxford City Council in 1990 and represented the Quarry ward until 1998. She was then re-elected in 2000 to represent the Littlemore ward until May 2018.
During her time at the city council, she served as deputy leader (1996-1997), Lord Mayor of Oxford (2002-2003), deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford (2003-2004), and Sheriff of Oxford (2004-2005).
She chaired the Highways and Traffic Committee (1994-1997), South East Area Committee (2004-2007), Standards Committee (2011-2018), and was vice chair of the Scrutiny Committee (2013-2014).
She also sat on the Scrutiny Housing Panel, Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee, and Appointments Committee.
Susan Brown, leader of the city council, said: “Gill gave so much time and dedicated service to the city of Oxford.
“In particular she helped drive forward changes to the city’s transport policy, including pedestrianisation of much of the city centre and was passionate in her support for young people.
“I’m grateful that we were able to recognise this service when we made her an Honorary Alderwoman of our city. We are going to miss Gill enormously – our thoughts are with John and her family.”
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Mrs Sanders was elected to Oxfordshire County Council in 2012 and represented the Rose Hill and Littlemore ward until 2021.
She served as chair of the county council in 2018/19 and vice chair in 2017/18. She also worked closely with her husband and fellow former county councillor John Sanders during his spell as chair in 2014/15.
During her time at the county council, Mrs Sanders had been shadow spokesperson for Children, Education and Families, and was vice chair of the Education Scrutiny Committee.
She also sat on the Corporate Parenting Panel, the Foster Parenting Panel and the Joint Meeting of Oxfordshire County Council with the Teaching Unions.
Liz Brighouse, deputy leader of the county council, said: “Gill will be very sadly missed by the many people who knew and loved her – not least her husband John who served as a councillor with her for so many years.
“Our condolences go to Gill’s family. She was a committed and hard-working county councillor and an excellent chair of the council.”
Mrs Sanders was also the chair of the trustees of the Rose Hill Junior Youth Club and chair of governors at Oxfordshire Hospital School.
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