Long-serving city councillor Mike Mackrory remembered for dedication to community

Tributes have been paid to a dedicated local councillor who passed away last month, leaving colleagues across the political spectrum mourning both a committed public servant and a widely respected individual.

Councillor Mike Mackrory was first elected as a Chelmsford Borough Councillor in 1995, where he built a reputation for integrity, diligence and kind-heartedness. During this time, he became Leader of the Council, Leader of the Opposition and a Cabinet Member. In 1999, he was the Mayor of Chelmsford.

Also an Essex county councillor since 2005 representing the Springfield Division, he was known for his caring approach to local government and his connection to the community he served.

He died in his sleep, aged 80, on Tuesday 21 April.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Stephen Robinson, paid tribute to a close colleague:

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“Mike was a dear friend and I miss him enormously. Few could match the impressive number and variety of roles Mike held over many decades, from council leader to local school governor. He gave so much to public life, and his legacy will be felt in the community he cared so deeply about.”

“I'm pleased that we will have an opportunity to mourn Mike's passing at Annual Council and celebrate the life of a Chelmsford councillor dedicated to improving the city we all care for."

Cllr Stephen Robinson, Leader of the Council

Councillor Richard Lee, a fellow city councillor representing The Lawns in Springfield, says Cllr Mackrory always led by example:

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"Knowing and serving alongside Mike was an honour that I will cherish. Around Springfield and further afield I find there are few people that don't know of Mike, where he has helped them in some way through the many years. He had a massive sense of public duty – he cared deeply about the world around him and 'doing his bit' where he could. He was a mentor to me, and I don't think there'll ever be a time when I don't automatically think to ask him his advice. He has left a massive hole, for myself, and for Springfield.

"Whatever he did, he cared about it – he wanted to get the best possible outcome, despite how trying this could often be. He was human with it – he would laugh and joke, always talk to anyone 'on the level', treating them as a fellow concerned resident. He never looked down to people (though I found it hard not to look up to him!).

"He will be greatly missed, by me, by Springfield, by his political colleagues across the entire spectrum, and his family which he'd often talk about – his children and his grandchildren. His love was for everyone."

Cllr Richard Lee, ward member for The Lawns

Tributes also came from across the chamber, reflecting the respect Cllr Mackrory had earned beyond his own party, the Liberal Democrats. Opposition member, Councillor Janette Potter said:

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“I first met Mike in 1995, when he joined Chelmsford Borough Council, as it was then. Even when we disagreed, which of course, we sometimes did, Mike was always prepared to listen.

"He brought a level of decency and caring to the role that marks a good local councillor. This is a sad loss indeed, not only to the city and county councils, his family and friends, but to the world itself.”

Cllr Janette Potter, ward member for Galleywood

Cllr Mackrory supported many local causes

Outside of the council chamber, Cllr Mackrory was known for his support for charities, including Farleigh Hospice and Marie Curie.

In his many years at Essex County Council, he was also a member of almost every committee at various times, sometimes taking on the role of chairman or vice-chairman.

Memorial speeches will be made at the Annual Council meeting on 13 May 2026. You can watch a livestream of the meeting on the council’s YouTube channel.