One of Plymouth Labour’s longest-serving councillors has announced she is standing down after more than 17 years in the role.

St Peter and the Waterfront councillor Sue McDonald is retiring from the Council for family health reasons.

Sue’s contribution to her ward, and Stonehouse specifically, began before her election as a Councillor. She has lived in Stonehouse for over 40 years and raised her family there.

Sue is a veteran, a former nurse and sister and was a community development worker at St Peter and The Holy Apostles. In her spare time Sue has been active in the community – amongst other things she’s a founder member of the Millfields Trust, where she is now an honorary life Vice-President, chaired the Plymouth Development Corporation Monitoring Panel, is a former governor of High Street School and has been actively involved in many community groups including the Stonehouse Residents Association and the Stonehouse Lawn Tennis Club.

Leader of Plymouth City Council Cllr Tudor Evans OBE described Sue as a “huge presence in Plymouth politics for nearly two decades”.

“She will be missed by the whole group for her compassion, her insight and her unrelenting focus on fighting for the best for her community,” said Cllr Evans.

“Sue has always championed the city’s children and especially those who are disadvantaged. She has definitely earned her retirement and we all wish her and her family the very best.”

As well as serving her ward, Sue has been a member of Cabinet with various responsibilities including Adult Health and Social Care, Public Health and Children’s Services and Education.

“Sue will be sadly missed in her public roles,” said fellow ward councillor Chris Penberthy.

“We wish her well as she spends much-needed time with her family, on her allotment and swimming on Firestone Bay from her much-loved beach-hut.”

Luke Pollard MP, in whose constituency St Peter and the Waterfront ward is located, described Sue as “working hard for her community always with a smile and a jump in her step”.

‘I’ve been proud to call Sue a friend and comrade,” said Luke.

“I’ve worked with Sue on a range of campaigns from improving housing in Stonehouse, improving water quality at Devil’s Point and helping support residents affected by anti-social behaviour on the Barbican.

“Sue is respected and an absolutely brilliant councillor. I want to thank Sue for her service.”