Tributes paid as councillor who was a ‘brilliant advocate’ for residents dies

ARUNCORN councillor has been remembered for his “kindness” and as a “brilliant advocate” for residents following his death aged 75 following a short illness.

Cllr Harry Howard, Labour, had served Halton Castle ward spanning Halton Village, Castlefields and The Brow for 15 years.

It was the area he not only represented but also lived in, bringing energy and knowledge to the task of helping its inhabitants.

He died last week having started to fall ill in April but stood for re-election in May, earning the most votes of any candidate in the ward including Labour colleagues, before the seriousness of his illness became clear.

A Halton Borough Council spokeswoman said his death came as a “great shock” and that he will be greatly missed for his “friendship”, “knowledge” and commitment to helping residents.

Cllr Ellen Cargill said Harry was an “outstanding councillor” and “his kindness to people will never be forgotten”, whose strengths included encouraging people to take part in looking out for their neighbourhoods, in addition to his deep knowledge of the patch that recently helped to protect Halton Village and the wider ward from being split in two during a boundary review.

He also tried to support the Friends of Halton Village group, which had started up before the pandemic interrupted its efforts to improve quality of life in the area.

She said: “He brought people into the community who had never been involved, who had always maybe wanted to but didn’t have that push, and with that kindness he brought them out to get them involved.

“They’ll miss him badly, I’ll certainly miss him.

“He was a wonderful councillor to work with.

“His knowledge of boundaries and the like was second to none.

“He changed the Boundary Commission’s mind and got Halton Castle to the way it was.

“They wanted to split Halton Castle in two, Halton Village was going to split in half.

“That didn’t make sense and he managed to convince them”

She added: “He will be sadly missed on the council.

“When he spoke everybody listened.”

Recalling his personal drive as a councillor, she said: “Canvassing was a great endeavour that we took on, Harry with his big long legs and others trying to keep up.

“He was always full of energy, that always kept us going.

“We had to let people know what we’re doing.

“There are things you can’t do as councillors unfortunately but we do try and make the best of the position we have and try and make changes for the better for people in the borough.”

Cllr Cargill and Halton Council had both expressed their condolences to Harry’s wife Christine.

Cllr Mike Wharton, leader of Halton Council, said: “The sad passing of Harry has come as a great shock to all at the council.

“Harry has been a councillor for the last 15 years.

“He was always fully committed to the role, being extremely knowledgeable with a great eye for detail.

“He left no stone unturned in supporting residents who came to him for help.

“He was a brilliant advocate for the borough as a member of the Liverpool City Region Transport Committee.

“He was always professional and when Harry spoke, people listened.

“Colleagues will miss his friendship, his wonderful sense of humour and the help, support and advice he would offer.

“We will all miss him and our thoughts and sincere condolences go to Christine and his family.”