Charlie Brooks was a councillor for the Dee Valley area of Chester. In July 2001, Gordon Cunningham arranged for a meeting with Councillor Brooks over the plans to build a halfway house near Hollyoaks, which Gordon was vehemently opposed to. However, Councillor Brooks failed to show and the local vicar informed Gordon that he had died from a heart attack. A by-election was called, with both Gordon and Tony Hutchinson running for his place. Gordon was the one ultimately elected in August.