Tribute to Fred Laws
Published Wednesday 22nd June 11 in Council - news and information releases news
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council staff and members have paid tribute to former Town Clerk Fred Laws, who has died aged 82.
Blackpool-born Mr Laws was Southend Town Clerk from April 1971 until December 1985 and was made a Freeman of the Borough on 17th January, 1985.
After leaving the Council he became a Local Government Ombudsman - one of only four across the country.
In accordance with the law his role as an Ombudsman compelled him to oversee a different area from the one he lived and worked in. Mr Laws was responsible for the Midlands.
He also worked actively as chairman of the Abbeyfield Society, a housing charity, and one of its supported housing complexes in Westcliff Parade, Westcliff, is named Fred Laws House after him.
Andy Wallace, a former Head of Democratic Services at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, who worked alongside Mr Laws, said: "Fred will be remembered by me and many others who worked for and served on the Council as a very fine man."
Bryan Fisher, another colleague of Mr Laws who previously served as Chief Administrative Clerk for the authority, added: "Fred was a fantastic man to work for and I believe all the staff liked and respected him. To me personally he was a wonderful colleague and friend. I shall miss him terribly."
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Chief Executive, Rob Tinlin, said: "This is a very sad loss indeed and our thoughts are with Fred's widow, family and friends at this difficult time.
"Fred was a dedicated servant of the town and worked very hard for the community. During his stint as Town Clerk he successfully steered a very difficult path through major local government re-organisation in 1974."
The Worshipful The Mayor of Southend, Councillor David Norman, will pay tribute to Mr Laws at Thursday's full Council meeting. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.