Death of Councillor Jimmy Kelly
16 Jan 2012 11:44:52
Jimmy Kelly, who passed away peacefully on Saturday 14 January after a short illness, aged 72, was one of East Ayrshire’s longest serving local councillors. A Labour Party Member, Jimmy served the people of Muirkirk, Lugar and Logan for
over 20 years, firstly as a councillor in Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council and later, following local government re-organisation in 1995, in East Ayrshire Council. He was one of four local members responsible for the new multi-member ward, Ballochmyle, set up in 2007.
Jimmy was a much respected local politician who brought a wealth of experience to the authority. He served on a wide range of local and national committees, sub committees and trusts throughout his political career, and was recognised both locally and across the UK for his commitment and passion in delivering public services to the people of East Ayrshire.
He was one of the Council’s great characters, passionate in his own beliefs and unafraid to speak his mind at the right time.
Born and bred in Muirkirk, Jimmy witnessed firsthand some of the hardship experienced by his local community as a result of the demise of the local mining industries. He was passionate and committed to securing better outcomes for the locals he served and was a long standing member of the Minerals Trust, established to support communities which have been and continue to be adversely affected by opencast mining.
Local housing issues were always close to his heart, serving firstly as Depute Chairman of the Housing Committee for the former Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council and later for 12 years as Chair of East Ayrshire Council’s Housing Committee from 1995. More recently he was a dedicated and active member of the Council’s Governance and Scrutiny Committee.
Always with the interests of East Ayrshire residents at heart, Jimmy pursued a number of national agendas to attract resources to assist in the economic, social and environmental regeneration of Britain’s industrial areas, both as chair of the Industrial Communities Alliance Scotland and as vice-chair of the National Industrial Communities Alliance Committee. He also represented East Ayrshire Council on the UK National Association of Councillors.
Tributes have been received from fellow politicians in East Ayrshire.
Councillor Maureen McKay, Leader of the Main Labour Opposition said: “We are all shocked at the sudden news of Jimmy’s death, he was an invaluable comrade in the Labour Group holding the positions of Chief Whip and Chair of the Labour Group. Jimmy was a doughty fighter, promoting his community and challenging injustice wherever found. You always wanted Jimmy in your corner alongside you, always ready to see straight through arguments, always railing against mindless bureaucracy.
Jimmy was admired throughout the Scottish Coalfield communities and his passionate advocacy enabled him to represent the Coalfield Communities across the UK. Never one to forget the miner’s strike or the subsequent high unemployment and depopulation that devastated Muirkirk, never shy to remind others about the need not to forget Muirkirk, Lugar and Logan, and the many hundreds of similar communities across the UK coalfields.
Labour through and through, with his roots in the trade union movement, he was an advocate, but equally aware of the need for change and engagement. Jimmy had made known, that he would retire from active Council service but we looked forward to having him continue his wise counsel and sage advice.
We are left knowing that we have lost a true comrade and friend, who served faithfully and left his mark on all who knew him. We are greater for
having known him and his passing underlines his contribution to East Ayrshire Council and the wider Labour movement.”
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by Jimmy’s untimely death. Whilst we had our political differences, Jimmy never missed an opportunity to present his views and was always ready to use his wit to get his point across in his own inimitable way. While we often disagreed about political matters nobody could dispute neither his integrity nor his commitment to the people he chose to serve. His commitment to the people of East Ayrshire was clear for all to see and he will be greatly missed.”
Provost Stephanie Young said: “Councillor Kelly was passionate about his local community and the rights of miners and ex-miners. He was highly respected within his community, throughout the UK and indeed Europe, which is a sign of the incredible commitment he displayed.”
Councillor Kelly is survived by his wife Isobel and his son David.
Funeral arrangements for Councillor Jimmy Kelly
His body will be received into St Thomas’ Church, Wellwood Street, Muirkirk at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 18 January 2012. The funeral service will take place at 12 noon on Thursday 19 January, and will be followed by the burial at Muirkirk Cemetery, Glasgow Road, Muirkirk at approximately 1 p.m. A reception will be held thereafter in St Thomas’ Church Hall.