Hull City Council has paid tribute to Councillor Anita Harrison, former Lord Mayor of the city, who has died following a short illness.
She served as a Hull City Councillor for 24 years, having first been elected in 2002 to the Bransholme East ward, and latterly representing the North Carr ward.
Her time as Lord Mayor came between 2015 and 2016, an important time in the city just ahead of the 2017 City of Culture year.
The current Lord Mayor, Councillor Cheryl Payne, said: “I knew Anita from when she was first elected to the council in 2002, and she was passionate about the area she represented throughout her 24 years as a councillor, standing up for her residents.
“She held the role of Lord Mayor with reverence and passion, promoting our city to everyone.
“In December 2024, when I served as Deputy Lord Mayor, Anita and I visited schools in her ward along with Santa, where we had such a laugh sat on a sleigh with a snow machine!
“She will be sadly missed, and I extend my sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.”
Cllr Anita Harrison becoming Lord Mayor in 2015, above.
The Chief Executive of Hull City Council, Matt Jukes, said: “Councillor Harrison was a force of nature and totally committed to serving her North Carr constituents.
“Formidable when she needed to be, Anita was a genuinely kind and considerate person with a great sense of humour, and she will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.”
The Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “There were few who had the passion for their community in the way that Anita did.
“Having been elected to the council at the same election as Anita, I saw firsthand her level of commitment and dedication to the people she served.
“This was, of course, no surprise, given her years of work she had already carried out for the local area.
“I will miss, too, Anita’s sense of humour and the contributions she made in the council chamber over the years.
“My thoughts are with all of Anita’s family and friends.”
The Leader of the council’s opposition majority group, Councillor Daren Hale, said: “It is with immense sadness we report the sad death last Friday lunchtime of our much-loved brilliant friend and comrade Anita Harrison.
“Anita had been in hospital after being taken ill a week before.
“A brilliant public servant, she passionately cared about the people of Hull, particularly her beloved Bransholme.
“We are shocked and the world today seems a more empty place without our Anita.
“Our love and thoughts are with her family.”
The Leader of the council’s Independent Group, Councillor Gary Wareing, said: “Anita was one of the longest serving councillors on the authority, and she had a proud record of serving residents and the community.
“She always represented her area first ahead of any party, and when she spoke it was always worth paying attention.
“I am sure she will be missed both in her area and in the council chamber.”
Details of Councillor Harrison’s civic funeral will be confirmed at a later date.