THE death of the Mayor of West Devon Cllr Peter Hill this week has left great sadness in the borough and across the county. Dedicated and committed, Cllr Hill was highly respected by young and old and had a long and distinguished service to local government of almost half a century. The 69-year-old councillor had represented the town of Chagford where he was born and bred since the age of 22. He died at his home on Tuesday after a short illness. Tributes to the man known for his patience and diplomacy were led this week by the deputy mayor of West Devon, Cllr Ken Williams, who said: ?Peter has left a lasting legacy for us all and we truly will not see his like again. He was popular with young and old and was a real gentleman. ?Even though he knew his illness was terminal, he was determined to be at his desk to the end. He chaired a full council meeting last Thursday and attended a function only on Saturday. ?We all ? councillors and staff ? feel his loss deeply and our thoughts are with his wife Gay and his family.? David Incoll, West Devon Borough Council chief executive, said: ?Peter always enjoyed the utmost respect from everyone he came in contact with. ?He was always mindful of the need to give the best possible service to the public and combined this with a genuine interest in all the staff of the council and their well-being.? A baker by trade, Cllr Hill was elected to Okehampton Rural District Council as a councillor for Chagford in 1958 ? and he never lost the seat. For the last 33 years, he was a leading member of West Devon Borough Council and was its longest serving councillor. He served on almost every borough council committee and was chairman of housing for 20 years before taking the chairmanship of the influential policy and resources committee from 1999 to 2003. He was also chairman of the Safer West Devon Community Safety Partnership and played a key role in obtaining facilities and services for young people (see page 15). In 1991, he was a major player in setting up the Independent Group on the council and led the group until 2003. He was elected mayor of West Devon in May this year ? his second term as mayor as he took the role in 2003/04. He was chairman of the council in 1980-81 before the council was awarded borough status in 1982. Chagford Parish Council elected him as its chairman four times and Cllr Hill has also been chairman of the Devon Association of Parish Councils for the last six years. Other organisations also benefited from his wealth of experience and knowledge. He was governor of both Chagford Primary School and Okehampton College, a Tax Commissioner since 1969, a member of the Devon Valuation Tribunal since 1976 and a magistrate for the last 35 years, during which time he served as chairman of the West Devon bench. He belonged to countless other groups. Cllr Hill had a steely determination to see through important projects, which earned him huge respect from his colleagues. He had a particular interest in helping young people in the borough. He was also adept at putting newcomers at their ease and this, coupled with a sense of humour, made him particularly popular with councillors and staff alike. Corporate director at the borough council and community safety leader Lesley Halton said so many people had cause to appreciate Peter?s ?outstanding integrity, honesty and wisdom?. ?He was also a great friend to those in need of support and good advice,? she said. ?Peter always put others before himself and his public service was self-effacing but amazingly effective. ?I believe it was Peter?s tireless work on our behalf which has fostered the great spirit of co-operation amongst our partners in the community.? Cllr Hill will be greatly missed by all his colleagues in the Central Devon Magistrates Court, said clerk to the justices Andrew Mimmack this week. ?He served for 35 years and was tototally committed to the role,? he said. ?Peter contributed an enormous amount to the administration of justice across Devon and especially in the home area which he loved so much.? Rector of Chagford Anthony Geering said Cllr Hill?s whole life had been devoted to affectionate concern for his family and his community. ?He took the lead in so many ways in the village he has loved so much, always ably supported by his wife Gay,? he said. ?Everyone holds him in high regard as a person of integrity, diligence and good humour. ?His death had saddened us all and he leaves a bigger space than most. We are all immensely proud of this son of Chagford.?
