Wyre Forest councillor wins national “Lifetime Legend” award
News release issued:
Wyre Forest’s longest-serving district councillor, Councillor Fran Oborski MBE, has been named the winner of the Lifetime Legend Award at the Cllr Awards 2025, a national event celebrating exceptional service in local government.
The award, organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA, honours councillors who have dedicated more than 15 years to improving the lives of residents. Councillor Oborski’s remarkable 52 years of continuous service on Wyre Forest District Council made her a standout candidate for this prestigious recognition.
Over five decades, Councillor Oborski has held numerous roles, including being Chairman of the Council in 2014/15, and is currently Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. She was honoured with an MBE in 2014 after completing 40 years on the Council.
The category was hotly contested with five other nominees who between them have over 150 years of public service, including three who had been leaders of district, metropolitan or county councils.
The judging panel acknowledged her impact in both policy (including her significant contribution to creating the Local Plan) and her dedication to the community (with initiatives such as the HELP community centre and the No Barriers Awards) as well as her tireless support of community organisations.
Councillor Fran Oborski said:
“I was delighted and deeply honoured to receive this award. I would like to dedicate it to the people of Offmore and Comberton who have supported me for over five decades.
“I love every moment of my time as a Wyre Forest Councillor and I fully intend to fight in the next elections, whenever they may be. I will never forget that it was a former Leader and Chair of the Council, Anthony Batchelor OBE who with a mixture of charm and arm twisting persuaded me to stand for election in the first place.
“There have been many highlights and great memories from my time on Wyre Forest District Council, and I shall treasure this award among them.”
Councillor Paul Harrison, Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, said:
“I know that my fellow councillors, staff of the Council and the many people in Wyre Forest who have come across Fran will want to join me in offering her hearty congratulations on this national award. It is a tribute to all that she has achieved and contributed over an exceptionally long period of public service. It is good to see the work of a Wyre Forest District Councillor being recognised in these prestigious national awards.”
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said:
“Councillors work tirelessly to support their communities and drive change. These awards are about celebrating the often unseen but hugely important contribution councillors make every day. This year’s winners are a real testament to the dedication, creativity and leadership shown by councillors across England and Wales.”