Councillors pay tribute to colleague
At an emotional council meeting earlier this month, tributes were paid to Councillor and former Mayor, David Wood who died overnight on 6 July after an illness.
David Wood was elected to the council in 1995 and was one of the representatives of Nonsuch ward.
Long serving RA Councillor, Michael Arthur, said “David was a deep thinker, his local knowledge and background served him well. As a member of the planning committee for most of his 23 years, his contributions were carefully evaluated and most valuable. David was very supportive of me. I mourn his tragic and sudden loss to the Council and community”
Fellow Nonsuch ward Councillor Graham Dudley, stated “David was an outstanding ward councillor; he knew every stick and stone of every house, every blade of grass and was much admired for his defence of the character of Nonsuch Ward, including its precious green belt. I am certain that the residents he represented have every reason to be grateful for the service he rendered them over so many years and for which he will be sorely missed. It was through David’s encouragement that I was persuaded to stand for the council myself something for which I often thanked him and blamed him in equal measure!”
Councillor Chis Frost who also serves on Nonsuch ward, added “David’s passion and pride was being a lifelong Ewell resident. He was educated at Epsom College (I think that was the only time he spent away from Ewell)! The school has a reputation for producing medical experts of the future but clearly it was also very good at producing future financial experts like David. I remember using the word Epsom as an abbreviation to refer to the borough. Any time I did that in his hearing he was very quick to add ‘and Ewell’ - but with a smile. His extensive knowledge of the Nonsuch area was unparalleled, and we are all going to miss this and his finance and planning knowledge”.
Labour Councillor Vince Romagnuolo, commented “Although we did not often agree politically, I was always impressed with David’s knowledge of planning and I have fond memories of his 60th birthday party to which he invited councillors of all political parties. I would on behalf of the labour party like to pass on my condolences to his family”.
Conservative Councillor Omer Kokou-Tchri added that “We all send our condolences to the family”.
David first became an Epsom & Ewell Borough Councillor when he was elected to Stoneleigh Ward and in the following Borough Council election in 1999, was successfully elected to Nonsuch Ward, a Ward he continued to serve until he passed away.
David was also a County Councillor from June 2009 to May 2013 representing Epsom and Ewell North East division.
In 2006/7 he held the office of Mayor and then in 2007/8 Deputy Mayor. He held the Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of several committees and sub-committees and was a member of a range of working parties, groups and panels, as well as representing the Council on many other organisations over the years. Latterly he was Vice Chair of Licensing and Planning Policy Committee.
The death of the Councillor means that a by-election will be called for the seat in Nonsuch Ward, the formal process will commence with the statutory ‘Notice of Vacancy’ which will be published shortly. The date of the by-election will be publicised when determined.