YEOVIL NEWS: Town council mourns death of former Mayor

YEOVIL Town Council has been left devastated by the death of former town councillor and Mayor, Tony Fife, who passed away yesterday (Tuesday, June 23, 2015) evening.

All the flags outside the Town House in Union Street, Yeovil, are being flown at half-mast today as a mark of respect.

Mr Fife, who was 76, was first elected to the town council in March 1982 - when the council was formed - and was the council’s longest serving member. He decided not to seek re-election last month owing to ill-health.

He represented Yeovil East Ward on a continuous basis for over 33 years and during that time he served on all the council’s committees and held every office – including Leader of the Council.

In May 1992 he was elected Deputy Mayor and the following year he was elected Mayor – a position that he held for two years – from May 1993 to May 1995.

During that time, he successfully led the town council in negotiations to take on a number of delegated functions from Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council as part of a national review of local government in Somerset.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Tony Fife, a former Mayor of Yeovil, who died yesterday at the age of 76.

As Mayor, Mr Fife played a pivotal role in the Town Council organising a major event to help the people of Yeovil celebrate the 50th anniversary of VE Day in May 1995.

He also helped the town council bring about the introduction of a CCTV system in Yeovil Town Centre, which has undoubtedly helped to prevent and detect crime and disorder. On a similar theme, he worked closely with the Police and helped to develop Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the Town.

Mr Fife was elected chairman of the Yeovil Town Centre Consultative Panel in 1994 – a position that he held for 16 years.

The Panel provided an effective forum for local traders, councils and other stakeholders in the town to discuss ways of working together to improve the town centre for the benefit of local residents and for visitors.

Tony was an active representative of the town council on the Yeovil Twinning Association, and his dedication to the spirit of town twinning and the educational, cultural and friendship benefits that it brings helped the association go from strength to strength.

In recent years, Mr Fife played a significant role in helping the town council to meet the challenges facing local government, and his vast knowledge and considerable business experience helped the council to develop new ways of partnership working with other organisations.

Mr Fife had also been a long-time member of South Somerset District Council.

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