Square naming after politician a 'fitting tribute'

Charles Swift was a Labour politician, who later sat as an Independent on Peterborough City Council

Plans to name a city square after its longest-serving councillor are a "fitting tribute", his daughter said.

Former Peterborough Mayor Charlie Swift served as a city councillor for 62 years and died in 2022, aged 92.

It is proposed land adjacent to Sand Martin House in Fletton Quays will be called Charles Swift Square.

His daughter has said it was fitting but "he would not want a lot of money spent on him".

The square outside the council offices at Sand Martin House would be named after the city's longest-serving councillor, who died in 2022

Mr Swift was believed to be the longest-serving councillor in the country when he retired from the role in 2016.

Janet Barnes said her father, who was first elected to a previous incarnation of the city council in 1954, would not have wanted a lot of fuss, although she called it a "fitting" tribute.

"My father would not want a lot of money spent on him especially in today's situation," she said.

"That was my dad, he was a typical down to earth person.

"I'm honoured and so are the family."

Under the plans a memorial plaque for Mr Swift would be erected in the square next to the building that currently houses the council's offices.

Mr Swift, who was appointed OBE for services to the public in 1985, became the mayor of Peterborough at the age of 30 and held the ceremonial role 1961-62.

He also led the council for almost 20 years.

He originally served as a Labour councillor, but he later became an Independent after losing the party whip in 1992.

Mr Swift stepped down as a councillor in 2016, saying at the age of 86 it was time to call it a day.

Approval for the naming of Charles Swift Square and its accompanying plaque is expected to be granted at a Peterborough City Council meeting on Monday evening.