CABINET members took part in a moment of silence yesterday (Tuesday) ahead of the funeral of a much-loved Prestatyn councillor described as “a gentleman”.
At a meeting at Denbighshire Council’s Ruthin County Hall HQ, leader Cllr Jason McLellan paid tribute to Cllr Hugh Irving, who passed away on April 9.
The chamber took a moment of silence before Cllr McLellan, who also represents Prestatyn, commended the dedication of the late councillor in his work in their hometown.
“This is the first meeting since the really sad news of the loss of our friend Hugh Irving,” said Cllr McLellan.
“I think of Hugh not with my council hat on but my Prestatyn resident’s hat on, and those in Prestatyn knew Hugh before they were councillors for his hard work and years of dedication to the town that he put in. Councillors across the county had known Hugh for a long time.
“He had been a councillor for an extremely long time. He was a wealth of knowledge.
“He was hard working for Prestatyn and, rightly so, well respected by all of us.”
He added: “He could be part of the cut and thrust of politics when needed, and he could be part of the challenge, but what I take from Hugh was he was always a true and real gentleman, and he’ll be really missed by all of us.”
Cllr Irving was elected as a county councillor in 2012 and was cabinet lead member for customers and communities, which subsequently became customers and libraries during this administration.
He was re-elected in 2017 and again in 2022. Up until his death Cllr Irving was chair of the performance scrutiny committee and the scrutiny chairs and vice chairs group as well as vice chair of the licensing committee.
He had previously been chair of the licensing committee and he had chaired the Prestatyn and Meliden Member Area Group.
The chamber heard that Cllr Irving’s funeral takes place on Thursday at the Nant Hall Road Church in Prestatyn.
(Images: Denbighshire County Council)
