Sir Stephen Geoffrey Houghton CBE (born 27 April 1958) is an English member of the United Kingdom Labour party, a local government politician and Leader of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.[1][2]
Houghton was first elected as a councillor to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1988, and became Leader of the Council and Chair of Cabinet in 1996.
He is also a member of the Barnsley North East Area Council and are also appointed to the following outside bodies: Captain Allotts Charity, Cudworth United Charities, Inclusive Economy Board, Leeds City Region Partnership Committee, Local Government Association (LGA) - General Assembly, Migration Yorkshire (Chair), Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board, Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA), and South Yorkshire Leaders' Meeting.[2]
In 1999, Houghton became Chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities within the LGA.[1]
Houghton graduated from Birmingham University with an MSc in Local Governance in 2004.[3]
Houghton was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Local Government in the 2004 New Year Honours.[4] Houghton was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2013 Birthday Honours for parliamentary and political services.[5]
