Respected county councillor dies after contracting covid
A COUNCILLOR has died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Phil White, who was 67, was a serving Bridgend County councillor, representing the Caerau ward.
Mr White joined the authority in 2008 and served on the council for 13 years until his recent death, which came after he fell ill with Covid-19.
For the majority of that time he was a member of the council’s cabinet.
At a full meeting of the council on Wednesday tributes were paid to Mr White who is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Mayor John Spanswick said: “Words cannot say enough. Phil White was a dear friend, comrade and fellow councillor. My thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.”
Council leader Huw David said: “Even before he joined the authority in 2008, Phil White was passionate about people, his community and his beliefs.
“His qualities quickly saw him appointed to the position of cabinet member for communities with Bridgend County Borough Council.
“Cllr White continued to serve as a cabinet member throughout the majority of the 13 years he spent as a councillor and until he retired from the role last year he was most recently our cabinet member for social services and early help.
“This was, of course, only the tip of the iceberg when it came to Cllr White’s public service.
“Among the many responsibilities that he fulfilled Cllr White was an enthusiastic and active council champion for both older people and for children and young people.
“He chaired the likes of the corporate parenting committee and the LV20 physical environment group and was a vice-chair of the fostering panel.
“An advocate for social enterprise and community empowerment, Councillor White was our delegate member of the Welsh Local Government Association, a director representative for the Bridgend Care and Repair Partnership, and a mental health advocate.”
Cllr White also served as a school governor at Nantyffyllon Primary School and Maesteg Comprehensive School and was an independent member of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Mr David added: “Cllr White offered tireless service and he did so while dealing with significant health issues of his own.
“Despite this he never once allowed it to prevent him from carrying out his responsibilities and his dedication proved to be an inspiration.
“On behalf of us all at Bridgend County Borough Council we offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and close colleagues and especially to his wife Irene and Phil’s children and grandchildren.”
Mr White’s funeral will take place on November 4 at Maesteg Catholic Church.
His family have requested that donations are made in lieu of flowers to the Caerau Development Trust and to Nantyffyllon Primary School.