Tributes paid as local councillor passes away

Councillors and staff at Gloucester City Council have paid tribute to Cllr Jim Porter, who sadly passed away overnight.

 

Councillor Jim Porter was first elected to represent Longlevens Ward on 1 May 2008 and subsequently re-elected in 2012 and 2016 bringing his total service as a Gloucester City Councillor to 8 years.  He had been the Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment since May 2014, overseeing services including waste and recycling, street cleaning and grounds maintenance.

 

He lived and worked in the ward for over 45 years and was actively involved in the community during that time.

 

He first became involved in local politics in 1972, when he joined the Conservative Party. He had a particular passion for local education, serving as a school governor for many years.

 

While serving the Longlevens ward alongside fellow Conservative councillors Paul James and Kathy Williams, Jim campaigned on issues such as libraries, highways, flooding and sporting facilities.

 

Councillor Porter served on many committees including planning, overview and scrutiny, audit and governance, the boundary review working group and a number of years as the vice chair of the licensing and enforcement committee.

 

Councillor Porter served for a number of years as a director of Gloucestershire Airport and a trustee of Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust. During the course of his service, he was appointed by the council to various outside bodies including Gloucester United Schools Charity, Gloucester Charities Trust and the Lower Severn Drainage Board.

 

Cllr Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “I’m deeply saddened that Jim is no longer with us. I had the pleasure of working closely alongside Jim for many years and counted him as a close friend.  I will miss his wise counsel in the Cabinet and his knowledge of and passion for Longlevens.

 

“Jim was a true public servant and a man of strong beliefs. He continued to work on council business despite being very ill in recent months because he really cared about and genuinely enjoyed his role. He really gave his all for the residents of Longlevens and Gloucester over the past eight years, and it is a great loss to the local community and city as a whole. My deepest sympathies go to his family and all who knew him at this very sad time.”

 

Jon McGinty, managing director of Gloucester City Council, said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Jim’s family at this very sad time.

 

“Jim was a committed councillor for Longlevens and Gloucester as a whole since he was first elected. He will be missed by all of us at Gloucester City Council.”

 

Cllr Kate Haigh, leader of the Labour group, said: “On behalf of the Labour Group I would like to express our deepest condolences to Councillor Porter’s family and colleagues on his death.

 

“Jim was a passionate and committed Councillor who made a genuine difference to his community and to the City. On a personal note, the work I have done with him recently on the new waste and recycling service demonstrated that he was determined to fight for the best solutions for residents and I respected him greatly for it. He will be missed.”

 

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “It is very sad news to hear of Cllr. Jim Porter’s death. I served with him as a director of Gloucestershire Airport as well as on the council.

 

“Jim was a straight talking guy and though we often disagreed, it was always a pleasure to work with him. He was a man of his word and would give you a straight answer to a question. I will miss him.”

 

Jim leaves behind a wife, four children and four grandchildren.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk