EDDC pays tribute to Honorary Alderman Dr Bill Waterworth

Tributes have been paid to East Devon District Council Honorary Alderman Dr Bill Waterworth who has died recently.

Dr Waterworth, a former chairman of the council, was a councillor for East Devon for 16 years. He was elected in 1991 representing the Eden Vale ward until 2003 when boundary changes meant that his ward was then Coly Valley.

He served on a wide range of committees for the council and in many cases held positions of responsibility. He was vice chairman of the accounts committee from 1997 to 2001, and vice chairman of the finance and personnel committee from 1995 until 2001 when he was elected committee chairman.

He was chairman of the council and chairman of the standards committee in 2002-2003 and was also chairman of the strategic overview committee in 2004-2005.  Dr Waterworth also served on a number of sub committees, panels and forum including the rural aid/community fund panel and town enhancement grants sub committee.

He was a councilor who appreciated the importance of local involvement and grass root funding and was renowned for his attention to detail - his work as chairman of the council’s fees and charges task and finish forum was exceptional and still remembered.

On his retirement from East Devon District Council, Dr Waterworth was made Honorary Alderman in recognition of his eminent service.

Councillor Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council, said: “When I joined the council in 1999, Bill became my mentor and was not only brilliant at pointing out the pitfalls but also set the bar for courtesy and dry humour. His attention to detail was legendary and I miss him.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Chairman of East Devon District Council added: “Dr Waterworth will be remembered by both councillors and officers alike as a man of dignity, intelligence and integrity.”

Dr Waterworth’s funeral will be held on November 14 at St Andrews Church, Colyton at 1pm.