Helen Wright Lord Provost of Dundee 1999-2001

First female Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Dundee

In 1999 Helen became the first, and to date in 2024 remains the only, female Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Dundee. As she had in previous, and later, roles Helen carried out her duties with extraordinary commitment, energy and innovation. Helen had widespread public support and achieved numerous successes, often in the face of enormous pressures from inside and outside the city council that were likely only to be experienced by the first woman to hold this post in this particular environment.

Helen demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring together diverse interests to address social, political and economic problems, and collaborated with organisations across the city and beyond to make improvements consistent with her priorities for social justice, equality and fairness. Her commitment to transparency and accessibility also transformed the office of Lord Provost, making it more open and less formal. Actively engaging with the public, she invited people to visit the City Chambers, fostering a sense of inclusion.

As well as being the first woman to hold this post, she was the first person to be voted out of office - these two facts are not a coincidence! The dual milestones of being the first woman in the role and the first to be voted out underscore the magnitude of her impact and the unique hurdles she, as a woman, overcame. When Helen stood again for election in 2003, which was her first election after serving as lord provost, she received huge public support and achieved one of her best election results ever with 1,017 votes from a turnout of 1,847.

When elected to Dundee District Council in 1980 after taking the seat from the Conservatives, Helen was the only female member of the ruling Labour Group. When Helen was elected as lord provost in 1999 female councillors throughout Scotland held fewer than 20% of Scottish local government seats. Helen has always campaigned for the greater participation of women in politics and has played a key role in successfully improving women’s representation in the council and further afield.

In 2006, a severance payment package was offered to local councillors in Scotland if they agreed to stand down at the end of their current term of office and agreed not to stand in 2007 but Helen, who became a councillor when it was an unpaid role and had always viewed her political and community work as something separate from a paid career, did not even consider stepping down and taking what would have been the significant payment of around £25,000 - she was re-elected in 2007 under the new proportional representation system with a magnificent result. The new four-member Coldside ward incorporated the Fairmuir ward Helen had held since 1980.

The full account of this time will be published in due course - watch this space for updates. Helen's many successes and remarkable experiences will make inspiring reading. The following is an extract from a small part of Helen's story, an element that attracted public attention at the time. This episode will be told in full with many details and information never before revealed to the public; it will shock some, embarrass a few, surprise others and confirm what many people suspected! The following will give a little insight into the extraordinary story to come.

An orchestrated campaign to remove Helen from the post started the first week she took office. During her whole time in office, Helen had to fend off continuous attacks by powers in the council and beyond who did not want her in that post. A variety of opponents came together for different reasons – some for personal ambition, others for political opportunism. But they all had the same objective – to remove Helen as Lord Provost. Various traps were set that failed, but they eventually found something they could unite around – they asserted that Helen should personally pay for some of the expenditure incurred whilst carrying out her official duties, and that items such as contributions made by the Lord Provost on behalf of the city to various social organisations, charities and churches were her personal responsibility; they argued that Helen's view that the council is responsible for council expenditure such as contributions from the City whilst carrying out her many official duties was incorrect - even in circumstances where council staff handed over the contribution directly to the organisation. Helen had previously stopped an old practice of money from questionable or vague sources being passed around in envelopes and used for these and other purposes, and insisted that all transactions had to be transparent and written down in official records. It is somewhat ironic that it was only because this information was written down that opponents were able to see the details and create a campaign around it. They won a vote of the council by one vote to remove Helen. After Helen left office, future lord provosts were given a large annual sum to spend on incidentals, often without the need to even provide receipts. In further examples of the hypocrisy of Helen's opponents, it was later revealed that around this time MPs were claiming for a variety of expenses such as cushions for their London home, their minibar bills, MSPs were claiming for taxis used for personal business purposes and for wreaths when carrying out official duties - some of them had to repay the sums they claimed. It was also regarded as quite acceptable for an official car with driver to take a provost or lord provost to football matches at weekends. And it is still unclear how one local politician funded the purchase of a kilt! This however all seemed acceptable and normal to those manufacturing the campaign against Helen. Even more recently, other politicians in Scotland reportedly made large expenses claims for items such as shoes, haircuts and personal internet data charges, and some senior politicians have been the subject of very serious investigations. None of the small items of expenditure Helen’s opponents referred to were for herself – they were all small funds given on behalf of the city to good causes, but this of course was never the real issue. The full story will be told in a later publication – a good read is guaranteed! This will clearly demonstrate, with full details and the roles played by various people, that Helen carried out her duties with her usual commitment to the highest standards and, despite the constant attacks, made important changes that improved the workings of the lord provost office, the Council and the City. At the time of winning the Lifetime Legend award over 20 years later Helen remains the only woman to have ever served as a provost or lord provost in Dundee. .

With her usual resilience, determination and sense of duty Helen continues to energetically pursue her vision to change the world for the better and work tirelessly to serve the people of Dundee. The story continues!

Lifetime Legend

It was announced at the ceremony in Edinburgh on the 21st November 2023 that Helen won the prestigious Lifetime Legend Award.
This photo shows Heather Lamont, CCLA Client Investments Director, presenting Helen with the LGiU & CCLA award.
This prestigious award recognises Helen's highly impressive work and many successes in local government since 1980, and in the trade union and the women's movements prior to that. The LGIU said, "This year, we received an extremely high number of nominations, so to be shortlisted is an outstanding achievement." Being confirmed as the winner of the Lifetime Legend Award is a fantastic and fitting accolade.

This award is about the entirety of what a person has done during their years of service, not just the number of years. Helen had served in local government for 43 years up to the nomination date but there are others who have served for more years than Helen. The Cllr Awards judging panel was made up of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. The guidelines from the LGIU are as follows:

This award celebrates a councillor who has dedicated 15 or more years to serving their local community through their role on the council, maintaining their passion and enthusiasm for improving the lives of their residents. It will recognise their positive and lasting contribution to their community through a long-term focus on a particular issue or the cumulative effect of many smaller projects, or both.

As further explained by the LGIU, the following are essential requirements for the winner of the award:

The winner of this award will demonstrate:
• longevity of service;
 • that they have held positions of leadership or extra responsibility on the council during their time as a councillor;
 • a significant number of achievements over a period of years;
• that they have led a number of important local government projects that have benefited citizens.
 
Successful submissions should:
 • provide clear examples of work or projects they have carried out throughout their entire time in office;
 • Provide evidence of lasting impacts and contributions they have made.

Press release from the LGiU

Dundee Cllr Helen Wright wins national award

Tonight, at Edinburgh's City Chambers, Cllr Helen Wright of Dundee City Council, won the Lifetime Legend award at the LGIU Scotland and CCLA annual Cllr Awards; the only national awards ceremony to celebrate the vital work of local councillors across Scotland. The judging panel noted Cllr Wright’s 40+ years of service on the council and her commitment to supporting women in her community. She actively mentors and supports new women entering the council, and has made a real difference for women's incarceration and the Bella Unit in her ward. She has played a pivotal role in advocating for women's representation in local politics and ensuring an open and transparent city government. Her focus extends to vital areas like social work, community justice, and health services. Born and raised in Clackmannanshire, she was elected as a councillor in 1980 and was the only female member of the Dundee District Council’s 25 member Labour administration. She has campaigned for the greater participation of women in local politics and played a key role in successfully improving women’s representation in the council. Almost 20 years later, Cllr Wright became the city’s first female Lord Provost. Throughout her career she has taken on various leadership roles, including Chair of the Scottish Community Justice Authority and Tayside Community Justice Authority.

The photo shows Heather Lamont, CCLA Client Investments Director, presenting Helen with the LGiU & CCLA award.

Abridged CV and brief biographical details

Helen's public, political, community and voluntary work and posts include the following:

• Councillor, Dundee City Council (and previous authorities) 1980 - present
• Appointed Bailie 2003 - present
• Honorary Fellow and Board Member of Al-Maktoum Institute Council 2005 – present
  • 8th March 2024 appointed Chair of the External Relations and Community Engagement Committee.
• Chair of Scottish Community Justice Authority 2007 – 2014
• Chair of Tayside Community Justice Authority 2007 – closure of service in 2017
  • Member of Tayside Community Justice Authority 2006 – closure of service
• NHS Tayside Non-Executive Board Member 2003 - April 2009
  • Positions included:
  • Vice-chair of Dundee CHP 2005 – April 2009
  • Member of Area Partnership Forum 2003 – April 2009
  • Member of Delivery Unit Committee 2003 – April 2009
  • Member of Improvement and Quality Committee 2003 – April 2009
  • Member of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee 2003 – April 2009
  • Member of Endowment Board of Trustees 2003 – April 2009
• JP and Magistrate
  • Sitting Magistrate Dundee District Court 1982-2000
  • Justice of the Peace 1980 – 2007
  • Chair of the District Council Committee for Justices of the Peace in Dundee
  • Chair of the Justices of the Peace national association
  • Member of Lord Cullen’s Committee 2000 - 2001
• National Advisory Board of Offender Management 2008-2010
• Offenders Sentencing and Management Programme Board
• Prison Visitor
  • Castle Huntly Prison Visiting Committee 1996-2006
  • Perth Prison Visiting Committee 1996-2006
  • Cornton Vale Women’s Prison Visitor 1980–2005, Chair 1991–1994
  • Glenochil Prison Visiting Committee 1992 – 1994
• Lord Provost of Dundee May 1999-2001 (First woman to hold this position in Dundee)
• Lord Lieutenant, City of Dundee 1999-2001 (First woman to hold this position in Dundee)
• City of Dundee Partnership 1999-2001
• Chair of City of Dundee Discovery Campaign Committee 1999-2001
• Working with a number of voluntary organisations and charities
  • President Dundee Lions 2015
  • Children in Scotland 1998-2006 (fundraiser and committee member)
  • Save the Children Dundee (fundraiser)
  • Volunteer and organiser at the Blether Club (for people suffering loneliness and isolation) 2022 - present
  • Working with sheltered housing and older people's groups throughout time in office
• Fleming Trust - 1996 - present
• Board Member Dovetail Enterprises Sheltered Workshop 1996-1999 and 2000-2022
• Dundee Local Health Council 1980-1986
• National Association of Local Government Women's Committees (UK-wide) 1988-1992
  • Chairperson 1989-1992
  • Member of Shadow Ministry for Women
• Organised and established the Dundee Labour Women’s Council 1978 (elected first Chair)
• Dundee International Women's Centre 1980-1984
• Women's Forum Scotland 1988-1992
• Tayside Joint Boards – Police, Fire (Vice-Chair), Valuation and Tayside Contracts 2007-2013
• Trade Union National and Regional Posts
  • Chair of AUEW-TASS National Women's Sub Committee (NWSC) 1977-1981
  • Member of AUEW-TASS District Committee 1975-1982
  • Currently member of GMB and Unite trade unions
• COSLA
  • COSLA Environmental Health Committee 1984-1988
  • COSLA Social Affairs Forum 1995-1999
  • Chair of COSLA Voluntary Sector Task Group 2002
  • COSLA Equal Opportunity Committee 1988-1992
  • COSLA Community Safety Executive Group 2009
  • COSLA Health and Wellbeing Executive Group 2009
  • Member of COSLA Governance Executive Group 2001 - 2005
  • Member of COSLA Equality Task Group 2002 - 2005
  • Member of COSLA Voluntary Sector Task Group 2002 – 2005
• Convenerships
  • Convener of Environmental Health 1984-1986
  • Convener of Housing 2003-2005
  • Convener of Community Services 1986-1988
  • Convener of Equal Opportunities 1988-1992 and 1999-2001
  • Convener of Special Appeals (Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee) 1988-1992
  • Convener of Social Work 1995-1999 and 2003 – 2007
  • Convener of Social Work and Health 2007 – April 2009
• St. Andrew's Ambulance Management Committee 1980-1994
• Member of the Council Administration that established Dundee’s twinning with Nablus
• Tayside Community Relations Council 1988-1992
• City of Dundee Sports Association for the Disabled 1988-1990
• Housing Benefits Review Board 1988-1993 (Chairperson 1992-1993)
• Dundee Voluntary Action 1993-1999
• Local Government Drugs Forum 1997-2001
• Member of various Community groups in Fairmuir/Coldside Ward
• Tayside Council on Alcohol 2003-2005
• Board member Helm Training 1996-2000
• Dundee Older People’s Champion 2004- 2016
• Women of the Year Guest of Honour 2004
  • and invited again for special 60th Anniversary Lunch in 2015
• Member of Integration Joint Board from inception to 2022
• Chief Whip 2007- present
• Various shadow spokesperson roles in Dundee City council 2017- present
• Special interest in Women’s issues, Health, Social Work Services, Criminal Justice
• Lifetime Legend Award November 2023

Helen's career in engineering, the oil industry, the hospitality sector, running her own businesses, and other work is listed in a separate CV.

Brief Biographical details

Helen was born and raised in Clackmannanshire, started work at the age of 16 and, coming from a family involved in the Labour and Cooperative movement, representing fellow workers seemed a natural, and the right, thing to do. Helen worked in the engineering and oil industries and became a national official of her engineering trade union, and later ran her own business. During this time Helen was married and brought up a family, and enjoys spending time with her family that has now expanded to include grandchildren.

When Helen was elected as a councillor in 1980 she was the only female member of the new 25 member Labour Administration. It was an experience for the city chambers to have a new female councillor coming into the offices with an eight month old baby and, just over a year later, being the first female councillor in the city to have a baby whilst in office.
This newspaper article and photo shows Helen Wright as the only female member of the new Labour Group in 1980:

Coming to the council from years as a trade union activist and a national official of her trade union, and having spoken at many TUC and Labour Party conferences as a trade union delegate, it seemed fitting that Helen's maiden speech in the council chambers would be in support of the trade unions.

After Helen was elected as a councillor she continued to campaign for the greater participation of women in politics and played a key role in successfully improving women’s representation in the council. Helen’s record of achievement continued in local government where she pursued and championed policies that promoted equality and fairness. Helen’s impressive work for women was recognised by the National Association of Local Government Women's Committees by electing her as Chairperson between 1989-1992. In 1991 Helen led a year-long programme of women’s events organised as part of the Dundee 800 celebrations and almost 20 years later Helen became the city’s first female lord provost.

Helen also has a special interest in Health, Social Work Services and Criminal Justice where she has had notable successes. Helen’s former roles include Convener of Social Work, Chair of the Scottish Community Justice Authority, NHS Tayside Non-Executive Board Member, a prison visitor for 26 years, and a sitting Magistrate in Dundee District Court for 18 years.

All her roles brought their own challenges, but in all of them progress was made in her commitment to creating a fairer and more just society and improving people’s lives.

Helen’s record of success for women was again recognised when she was Guest of Honour at 49th Women of the Year Lunch and Assembly in 2004 and invited again as a guest for the special 60th Anniversary Lunch in 2015.

Councillor 1980 - present

In her role as a councillor over 44 years, Helen has always put her constituents first. She is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week, has five surgeries every week – more than any other elected member and still holds the weekly surgery she started in 1980 in the same place and at the same time - Coldside library surgery every Saturday morning at 10am. Helen is a popular councillor who is known to be approachable, caring and effective. Helen has improved the quality of life of many people in Dundee, and resolved a wide range of problems experienced by individuals and their families, through taking up issues on their behalf.

Helen is constantly in contact with local people and is active in a number of community groups where she provides support and advice, and has worked with local people to make many improvements to the amenity of the area. Helen also takes part in many local social events, which cover a diverse range of activities from helping groups with fundraising to playing bingo at a sheltered housing complex.

Through working collaboratively with other members of the Council, Helen has led successful initiatives to implement policies that make improvements to services, particularly in the areas of social work, community justice, women’s issues and the health services; some examples are outlined in the following. In her work in the business of the Council, Helen shows a great deal of commitment and vision. She balances a determination to achieve her goals for making the City a better place for all citizens with a collaborative approach that always seeks to work with people. Helen became a Bailie in 2003 and, as a former magistrate, is the only remaining councillor to have held this title as it was originally designed - as the title for councillors who were also magistrates. Helen has played an active role in encouraging women to put themselves forward for elected positions and has mentored new women councillors and provided them with help and support.

Charities

Helen has worked with a number of charitable organisations over many years as both a fundraiser and as a member of various bodies. Her work was recognised through her election as President of Dundee Lions in 2015 and she received a Certificate of Appreciation from Lions International. Her work with Children in Scotland 1998-2006 as a fundraiser and committee member and Save the Children Dundee as a fundraiser has also been notable. Helen regularly carries out voluntary work. In addition to her work at all levels of government, it is not unusual to find Helen in the evenings enjoying playing bingo with older people in sheltered housing complexes. Being aware of the isolation and the loneliness suffered by our older people, Helen was at the forefront of organising the Blether Club where older people could come along, have a bite to eat and socialise. Helen remains a committed volunteer with the project.

Community Justice Authority (Chair of Tayside Community Justice Authority 2007 – 2017 and Chair of Scottish Community Justice Authority 2007 – 2014)

Helen has provided political leadership that has been instrumental in improving community justice in the City, the region (Dundee, Perth and Angus) and Scotland. Helen has led and coordinated efforts throughout Scotland, worked closely with Scottish Government members and officials, other bodies and agencies including Sheriffs, Procurators Fiscal, The Prison Service, Social Work Services and others to improve and develop community justice services. Helen was also a part of the think tank that changed services in the court and the criminal justice system and one of the initiatives that came from this was community payback.

Her breadth of knowledge and previous experience as a convenor of social work, a magistrate, a prison visitor and other roles allowed Helen to bring a unique and valuable perspective and contribution to proceedings. Helen was also able to argue successfully for changes to the way Courts and the Prison Services deal with women. It was this sort of experience and belief that a new women’s unit, the Bella Centre, now built in her ward must be supported, sometimes in the face of public opposition – but this could never deflect Helen from her commitment to doing what she knew was right. Doing what is right is always more important to Helen than doing what is popular.

Magistrate

Helen gave excellent service as a sitting Magistrate in Dundee District Court between 1982-2000 and during this time she became well-known for her fairness in the application of justice. She was also a member of the national association, and also held the Chair of the District Council Committee for Justices of the Peace in Dundee for a time.

 A campaigner and advocate for women

Prior to entering local government in 1980, Helen was active in campaigning for women’s rights and equality. Helen was a lay-member national official of her trade union and was Chair of AUEW-TASS National Women's Sub Committee (NWSC) between 1977-1981. Helen was also a member of AUEW-TASS District Committee 1975-1982 and supported women in the workplace throughout the UK. In the 1970’s this included supporting women in equal pay claims and actively encouraging women to apply for jobs that were traditionally given to men. Helen had a record of success, which was recognised by women’s groups, including her trade union, which elected her to the post of national chair of the Women’s Sub-Committee. When Helen settled in Dundee in 1978 she established the Dundee Labour Party Women's Council, which is going strong to this day. Helen was seen as something of a trailblazer for women and many women following her have benefitted from her impressive work and achievements.

When Helen was elected to Dundee District Council in 1980 she was the only female member of the Labour Group, which held the administration. Helen had always campaigned for the greater participation of women in politics and played a key role in successfully improving women’s representation in the council. Helen’s record of achievement continued in local government where she pursued and championed policies that promoted equality and fairness. Helen’s impressive work for women was recognised by the UK-wide National Association of Local Government Women's Committees by electing her as Chairperson between 1989-1992. In 1991 Helen led a year-long programme of women’s events organised as part of the Dundee 800 celebrations (Dundee’s 800th Anniversary); this was universally hailed as a superb success.

Helen was a Guest of Honour at the Women of the Year Lunch in 2004 see: Helen Wright - Woman of the Year Guest of Honour

Helen worked over many years to improve female participation and representation in politics, and one of the driving forces in her decision to again seek re- election in 2022 was her determination to encourage women to put themselves forward as candidates, and to be there to support them. This led to the new Labour Group in 2022 having a majority of female members for the first time.

Social Work and Health Convener

Helen served as Convener of Social Work from 1995-1999, 2003-2007, and Social Work and Health 2007-2009. Helen had many notable successes and was known for her commitment to improving the quality of life of people and to protecting and enhancing the lives of the most vulnerable. One notable success was the Older People’s Working Group Report. Using her breadth of experience and her reputation for working collaboratively she engaged a diverse range of people and groups in a process to review and change the services that were currently being provided.

In conclusion

Helen has an outstanding record of service, commitment and achievement in local and national public services, in her work in the community and in representing, serving and advocating for a diverse range of people over many years.

Helen’s commitment, the valuable knowledge and experience she brings to her official duties, the way she works in partnership with a diverse range of people, the compassion she shows and the combination of all of these qualities and attributes continues to impress and inspire; all of this and other positive dimensions of Helen Wright together with how she applies them in such a committed and determined way to make a real, positive difference to the lives of many is exceptional. The way Helen has achieved so much for others and continues to work in a true spirit of service and dedication to improve the quality of people’s lives with such selfless disregard for her own interests makes her stand out as quite extraordinary.