14 hours Ago
Tributes have been paid to a “one of a kind” councillor who has died. Councillor Nigel Jenner was elected to Adur District Council in May 2024 for Buckingham ward in Shoreham. In the years prior, the Labour councillor worked for East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, as well as Brighton and Hove Albion , Lewes Football Club and Brighton Youth Centre.
He also went on to work with Abandofbrothers, a mentoring project for young men, and Sussex Pathways at HMP Lewes, mentoring people both before and after release. When he was elected as councillor last year, Cllr Jenner said: “As a ward councillor I will be actively linking with fellow residents, representing your views and responding to your issues. “As well as the experience I bring of working with people from all walks of life, I am a parent and grandparent.
“Like so many local people I am concerned about the current problems with education and facilities available to young people. “I want to see a coherent plan to address climate change locally and the development of suitable accommodation for local residents which is genuinely affordable and appropriate to local demand. “I will be a councillor who genuinely represents their ward; contactable and known.
” The leader of Adur District Council, Councillor Jeremy Gardner, announced the news of Cllr Jenner's death and shared words of tribute at a council meeting last night, April 3. Cllr Gardner said: “Councillor Nigel Jenner passed away yesterday. “It was not expected, it has come as a shock to all of us who know and knew Nigel.
“Nigel spent a lifetime in public service, particularly in youth work and laterally work in prisons. “He stood several times as a council candidate in Brighton and in Adur and finally last year he was successful in being elected. “I hope I can pass to his partner, family and friends the condolences of this committee.
” Councillors then held a minute’s silence in memory of Cllr Jenner. Today, April 4, Cllr Gardner added: “Nigel spent a lifetime in public service, particularly in youth work across Brighton and Hove and more widely. He took that spirit into his role as a councillor in Adur.
“He very quickly earned respect as a measured, informed, hardworking councillor but also as a kind human being with a sharp brain, a wry smile and a heart of gold. "Councillors across the chamber, of different parties, have expressed shock and have spoken of his qualities and dedication as a councillor. "As a councillor and as a warm, generous human being, he will be missed.
” Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Councillor Nigel Jenner. “Nigel was a simply wonderful man and truly one of a kind. Councillor Nigel Jenner, third from left, with MP Tom Rutland, far right (Image: Tom Rutland) “Funny, smart and principled, he was so generous with his advice to me and told the most fantastic stories from his career and his time pounding the pavements over the years for the politics he believed in.
“Given his brilliantly dry sense of humour and no nonsense attitude, it was lovely to see how genuinely proud and moved Nigel was to have been elected a councillor by his neighbours in Buckingham ward at the Adur District Council elections last May. “He was a Labour legend who had so much more to give and has been taken from us far too soon, and we will be the poorer for it. “I will really miss him and my thoughts are with his partner Kate and his family.
” READ MORE: Tributes pour in for ‘gracious’ and ‘upstanding’ victim in murder investigation A spokesman for Adur Labour Group said: “We're very sad to announce the sudden passing of Councillor Nigel Jenner. “Nigel was elected just last May and he brought all his public sector experience with him. “He was a caring person, knowledgeable and dedicated to the community and the cause.
“He was also a gentle, funny and insightful man, with a sharp brain, a wry smile and a heart of gold. “Thoughts are with Nigel's friends and families. “We will miss you Nigel.
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