Councillor Judi Billing
It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce that Cllr Judi Billing MBE, Govt Member for Neighborhood Engagement and ward councillor for Hitchin Bearton, handed away immediately within the early hours of at this time, Thursday 24 November, on the age of 71.
Judi was a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, in addition to serving as County Councillor for Hitchin North and the Labour Group Chief at County Corridor. She will likely be missed by many individuals and our ideas are along with her household and mates at this unhappy time.
Judi served as a district councillor for 42 years – first being elected in 1980 – and a county councillor since 2013. She served on many district council committees, together with as co-chair of the Cupboard Panel on Neighborhood and Enterprise, chair of the Requirements Committee, and the Hitchin Space Committee, which she was chair of for 4 years (inconsecutively) between 2009 and 2017. Judi had additionally been a member of the Cupboard at North Herts Council since 2019, as a part of the joint administration. She was appointed as North Herts Council consultant for the Hitchin Instructional Basis and the North Hertfordshire Centre for Voluntary Service (NHCVS).
At Hertfordshire County Council, Judi was the spokesperson for the Schooling, Libraries and Lifelong Studying Cupboard Panel, and the Public Well being and Neighborhood Security Cupboard Panel. She additionally sat on the Employment Committee and Impression of Scrutiny Advisory Committee.
She labored throughout occasion strains in her function on the Native Authorities Affiliation to assist councillors be efficient and to hunt to enhance native authorities. She acquired an MBE in 2015 for her companies to native authorities.
Reacting to the information, North Herts occasion group leaders stated:
Cllr Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Chief of North Herts Council and Labour and Cooperative Group Chief, stated: “Phrases can not specific the loss we’re feeling. Judi was a pal, mentor and function mannequin to me, and was all the time there if I wanted assist – together with loaning me a tumble dryer when mine broke. I’ll miss her fierce wit, intelligence, and advocacy for Hitchin and our communities. Judi made a distinction to so many lives and was actually certainly one of a form.”
Cllr Ruth Brown, Deputy Chief of North Herts Council and Liberal Democrat Group Chief, stated: “I’m so shocked and saddened to listen to of Judi’s premature and sudden loss of life. As a part of the joint administration, I labored as Judi’s deputy for neighborhood engagement for about two and a half years. I completely loved working so intently along with her and studying from her wealth of expertise. Simply final week, she attended the council’s youth democracy occasion, which she reinstated in 2019. It was such an exquisite occasion and testomony to her ardour and dedication to democracy and dedication to encouraging younger folks to become involved. She served the residents of Hitchin with tireless devotion over many a long time as a district and county councillor and he or she will likely be sorely missed.”
Cllr Claire Sturdy, Conservative Group Chief, stated: “I’m very unhappy to listen to the information of Judi’s passing and my ideas are along with her household and mates. I first met Judi once I joined the council in 1995 and I’ve all the time admired her ardour for politics and the dedication she gave to all of the residents she represented. She was dedicated to communities and labored tirelessly with so many teams to assist and assist them. Solely final week she was main the workshop for members and officers working collectively. We are going to all miss her humour and speeches within the council.”
Chair of the Native Authorities Affiliation, Cllr James Jamieson, stated: “It’s with nice unhappiness that we study of Judi’s passing. Judi was a exceptional particular person, who devoted a lot of her life to native authorities. For a few years Judi labored tirelessly with us and her large contribution to serving to councils enhance companies for the many individuals who depend upon them, means she leaves a long-lasting legacy. On behalf of all of us throughout the sector, I provide my heartfelt condolences to Judi’s household and mates. She will likely be very sadly missed.”