Agenda item

Peter Edwards - Former Leader of Exeter City Council

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor reported with deep sadness the death of Peter Edwards, the former Leader of Exeter City Council. She, with Councillor Phil Bialyk, the Council Leader had, on behalf of Exeter City Council, expressed sincere condolences to Peter’s family.

 

A tribute video of Peter Edwards was shown, which highlighted his huge achievements for the city over the years, including his farewell interview on his retirement with Karime Hassan, the Chief Executive & Growth Director.

 

Members stood and applauded in memory of Peter.

 

The Leader of the Council, led a series of tributes to Peter’s outstanding contribution to the life of the city during his many years of service.

 

He stated that it had been a huge privilege to have known Peter as a loyal friend, having first met in the early 1970’s when both had been employed by the then Devon General and as a colleague, at work and through the Transport Union, as a Labour Party member and as a Councillor. Peter had provided valuable support and encouragement in all these areas.

 

Peter had cared immensely for his home city and had served the people of Exeter in different capacities throughout his life. He was highly respected and held in high regard across the city, epitomised the previous Saturday at St. James Park in the tribute from Exeter City FC supporters.

 

The Leader continued by praising Peter’s commitment, vision and judgement in leading the Council and referred to his many achievements. Of these, the most recent were the new Exeter Bus Station and the soon to be completed St. Sidwell’s Point. Peter had been particularly committed to delivering a Passivhaus Leisure Centre of the highest quality for the enjoyment of future generations which would now be a fitting legacy to the work of a remarkable person.

The Chief Executive & Growth Director, on behalf of Council staff, praised Peter for the outstanding personal qualities he had shown as Council Leader. He had shown vision and courage, particularly during challenging times when difficult decisions had to be made and his many achievements were testimony to his drive and ambition for the city. The Chief Executive made specific reference to some of these achievements such as the support for the investment in new flood defences to protect the city; the delivery, in his initial role as a Portfolio Holder and then as Leader, of new homes, of which many were affordable; ensuring John Lewis would be opened in Exeter which had been a key driver in maintaining a vibrant High Street; supporting the Exeter Chiefs in securing Sandy Park as one of the UK venues hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup; helping attract the BBC Radio One Big Weekend event to Powderham Castle; as well as leading the delivery of the new Exeter Bus Station and St Sidwell’s Point.

 

Councillor Leadbetter, as the leader of an opposition group, echoed the sentiments expressed, commending Peter’s vision for the city and praising his commitment, dedication and service to Exeter and residents.

 

Councillor K. Mitchell, as a co-leader of an opposition group, referred to the genuine warmth and personable qualities of Peter, to his sense of humour and the sound advice he often provided, He referred particularly to the support shown to him in respect of LGBT matters which reflected Peter’s true caring nature.

 

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Wright, in reflecting on Peter’s legacy, referred to the naming of the Extra Care Unit as Edwards Court as a further, fitting tribute to his work. She also mentioned the encouragement and support he had given her in her early days as a Councillor and his faith in her with Portfolio responsibilities. Peter had been particularly keen to bring forward the development of newer and younger Councillors soon after they joined the Council. 

 

Councillors Morse, Mrs Henson, Sutton, Hannaford, Warwick, Wardle, Sheldon and Sills paid their own tributes to Peter’s many qualities, many referring to their personal memories of him.

 

The Lord Mayor concluded with her own personal memory of the help and support that Peter had provided and noted that Members’ thoughts were with Peter’s family and friends at this difficult time.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 7.20 pm and re-convened at 7.35 pm.