Former South Staffordshire Council leader who led fight to get Crooked House rebuilt dies aged 82

Former leader of South Staffordshire Council who led the fight to get the Crooked House pub rebuilt has died aged 82.

Councillor Roger Lees had served for more than 32 years in local government by the time of his retirement in 2024.

His political career began as a parish councillor in his home village of Swindon, near Dudley, in 1991, and he was elected a district councillor in 2007, then joining the cabinet two years later.

Councillor Lees was involved in a range of community initiatives and sat as a magistrate on the South Staffordshire Bench for 22 years.

In acknowledgement of his dedication to the area, Councillor Lees was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to local government in the 2024 new year’s honours list.

He became leader of the council in 2012, and the following year it was named the Improvement and Efficiency Social Enterprise (IESE) Council of the Year.

He was leader of the council when the Crooked House pub was severely damaged in a suspected arson attack on August 5, 2023, and unlawfully demolished two days later.

Councillor Lees condemned the demolition of the building, saying it was done without the consent of the council, and led moves for an enforcement order to be issued requiring the pub to be rebuilt. A T E Farms Ltd, the company which had bought the pub, has later appealed the decision, and is now awaiting a public inquiry.

Councillor Lees’ successor, Councillor Kath Perry, said: “We are all very saddened by the news of Roger’s passing. He was highly valued and his kindness and dedication to the district will long be remembered. His family and friends are very much in our thoughts.”

Chief executive of South Staffordshire Council, Dave Heywood, added: “We would like to convey our sincerest condolences to Roger’s family and friends at this terribly difficult time. I very much enjoyed our time working together and he will be very sadly missed.”

Councillor Lees was a keen campaigner on community safety, and pressed Staffordshire Police to increase its presence at Codsall Community Hub, ensuring a stronger police presence in the district and faster response times for South Staffordshire.

He also led on the rural exception housing site scheme in his home village of Swindon, which went on to gain national recognition and ensured local people could continue to remain in the village community.