Tributes paid to '˜passionate and dedicated' parish councillor

He also represented the village at Horsham District Council (HDC) from 2011 to 2015, rising to become the Lib Dems’ deputy group leader, where he took a leading role in scrutinising plans for almost 1,000 new homes being built at Wickhurst Green.

He and his wife Lin moved to the village in 1974 and as well as his work for the parish council Malcolm was heavily involved in Broadbridge Heath FC for almost 40 years as a player, youth team manager and committee member.

Viv Edwards, chairman of Broadbridge Heath Parish Council, said: “Broadbridge Heath parish councillors and staff are shocked and saddened to hear that Malcolm Curnock has passed away.

“Malcolm was our longest serving councillor and it was with great pride that he often told us how he had been involved since the formation of the parish council in 1987.

“It was a privilege for us as councillors to serve alongside someone who was so knowledgeable and passionate about our village.

“Once it was known that Broadbridge Heath was to virtually double in size, he worked hard both as a parish councillor, and as our district councillor for four years, to try and secure the best possible facilities and infrastructure for the growing village.

“His commitment to ensure that Broadbridge Heath had the recreation and sporting facilities, particularly for football, that it deserved was unwavering. It is tragic that he will not be around to see the plans that he was involved in for so many years, turn into reality.

“Broadbridge Heath and the parish council owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Malcolm and we hope to provide a fitting tribute to him in the village in recognition for all that he has done for our community. We will miss him.”

Jonathan England, vice-chairman of the parish council, said he would miss Malcolm’s ‘knowledge, intelligence and decency’, while Geoff Clark, chairman of the planning committee, added: “I for one will miss his dedication and enthusiasm and overall contributions to the parish council, but more as a colleague and friend of many years.”

Meanwhile parish council clerk Mary Burroughs described Malcolm as a ‘thoroughly good, kind, caring and hard­working chap whose unceasing energy to fight for what is right was humbling and to be admired’.

David Skipp, leader of the Lib Dem group at HDC, added: “He was a trusted and valued colleague,who was a parish councillor and was proud to have served Broadbridge Heath as a district councillor.”

“He was passionate about achieving the best or the village ,assiduous in representing the residents, and persistent in his determination to ensure that the new development gave the community what it needed. His regret was that some of what he fought for has not been delivered to the detriment of those he represented.”

He added: “This honest and reliable man will be missed by his friends, councillors from all parties and above all his family.”

Past and present district councillors and HDC officers have also paid their tributes to Malcolm.

Fellow Lib Dem Godfrey Newman, who canvassed with Malcolm before the elections in 2011, described him as an ‘ideal councillor’ who fought hard for Broadbridge Heath, while Lib Dem Christine Costin said she found him to be a ‘kind, gentle and clever man’ who was a ‘brilliant advocate’ for the village.

She highlighted his leading role in producing his group’s alternative strategy to the Horsham District Planning Framework.

Ray Dawe, leader at HDC, paid tribute to his ‘great determination’ to represent his residents’ interests, while Tom Crowley, HDC’s chief executive, felt Malcolm ‘demonstrated commendable energy and enthusiasm’ in his various roles.

Mr Crowley added: “Malcolm was always positive and good natured as well as being a really hardworking and highly principled councillor.