Agenda item

The Chair paid tribute to the late Councillor Stella Jones and said that she had been highly respected in Hope and Caergwrle.  She had been a hard working Councillor and had been a good friend to many.  

            The Leader of the Council echoed the comments and referred to the number of people that had attended Councillor Jones’ funeral the previous day.  He said that she epitomised a true community campaigner and commented on all she had done for the residents in her ward and of her proudness to be associated with Castell Alun High School.  He recalled the time when Councillor Jones first became a Councillor and how this had resulted in a case being heard in the High Court.  Councillor Shotton said that when Councillor Jones walked in to a room, it lit up and he added that he would miss her smile.  He concluded by referring to the last conservation he had had with Councillor Jones about her determination to be in attendance at this meeting, despite her ill health, which he felt encapsulated everything about Councillor Jones.  He said that she would be greatly missed.

            Councillor Carolyn Thomas commented that Councillor Jones had been a good friend to her.  She echoed the earlier comments about the work she undertook in relation to issues in her ward including land which was to have been allocated in the Unitary Development Plan which Councillor Jones had disagreed with.  She concurred that she would be greatly missed but added that she would have some treasured memories of Councillor Jones. 

            In referring to the election in 2004, Councillor Nancy Matthews explained that she and Councillor Jones had been newly appointed Councillors at the election and that as a result of this, they had become good working colleagues and friends.  She added that Councillor Jones had always been the voice of reason on Overview & Scrutiny Task and Finish Groups and would provide support for employee rights.  She added that she would miss Councillor Jones. 

            Councillor Mike Peers referred to the words spoken by Lord Barry Jones at Councillor Jones’ funeral.  Councillor Peers felt that she was kind, polite and knowledgeable and added that he had been surprised to learn that she knew so much about Wrexham Football Club.  He spoke of her work for her residents and the concern that she showed on issues that would affect those in her ward.  He felt that she had been an asset to the community and commented that she was a people person who would be sadly missed. 

            Councillor Tony Sharps stated that he knew Councillor Jones when she worked in the Education Department of the Council and he commented on the help that she had provided about a bus service in his ward.  She had been a kind, considerate and lovely person who would be missed by many including the community of Northop Hall. 

            In referring to the work that Councillor Jones undertook for her residents, Councillor Clive Carver spoke of his first meeting with Councillor Jones in 2008 and added that she was a Councillor’s Councillor. 

            Councillor Hilary Isherwood said that she had been honoured to be able to speak about Councillor Jones and she thanked Councillor Shotton for phoning her to break the sad news of her death.  Councillors Isherwood and Jones, despite being in different political parties, had worked together on some issues including those relating to allocations in the UDP.  She added that Councillor Jones had been a lovely person who could also be mischievous and concurred that she had been adored by the residents in her ward. 

            Councillor Gareth Roberts echoed the comments made and said that Councillor Jones’ company would be missed by all and that she would be missed across the Chamber.  He felt privileged to have met and known her. 

            The Chair thanked Members for all of their comments.