David Slater tributes
Former leader passes away aged 70
TRIBUTES have been paid after the news that former Charnwood Borough Council leader, Coun David Slater, has passed away aged 70.
Coun Slater served as the leader for seven years, stepping down in November.
Coun Jonathan Morgan, who took over the leadership of the council, said: “David was an incredibly decent man who served the council and the residents of Charnwood with absolute dedication.
“His mantra was putting residents at the heart of everything we do as a council and he certainly put that into practice, helping to build a very solid and stable council which focused on serving our local communities.
“David was also a genuinely decent person and I have received many messages of sympathy from across the borough and the political spectrum.
“He was always someone you could turn to for advice and support and he has left a huge hole in civic life and the lives of his family, whom our thoughts are with at this time.
“David was a friend to many and he will be missed by us all.”
Coun Slater, 70, was the ward member for Quorn and Mountsorrel Castle Ward and chair of the plans committee.
He joined the borough council in 2001 and became leader in 2010 having previously served on cabinet as lead member for housing and planning. He was the council’s longest serving leader.
The borough flag is being flown at half-mast at the council’s office in Loughborough and at Loughborough Town Hall.
A book of condolence has been opened in memory of Coun Slater. It was signed by his fellow councillors at a meeting of this week’s full council and is available in the council’s Loughborough office.
There was a minute’s silence before the full council meeting and later Coun Slater’s council colleagues paid tribute to him
Coun Sandie Forrest said that he was a decent man, an honest man and a man of the very highest principles and the entire chamber is poorer for his passing.
Coun Tom Barkley said: “David was an outstanding man, an outstanding friend and inspirational. People respected him and he will be missed immensely.”
Coun Richard Shepherd, a ward council colleague to Coun Slater, said: “We are going to greatly miss him both inside the chamber and outside of it.”