Former Tory councillor, leader of the council and mayor, Howard Briggs, died in a care home on Monday after fighting dementia for years prior, with his family having seen him regularly in his final days.
Mr Briggs served as the mayor of Southend from 2001 to 2002 where he created the Southend Community Fund to provide financial support to charities and voluntary groups in the then town.
Charitable – Howard Briggs (centre) at a Southend Fund cheque handover (Image: Newsquest)
While serving as Tory councillor for West Leigh in 2002, Mr Briggs launched the fund after raising a record-breaking £127,000 in funds to help tackle the “allied evils of poverty”.
Continuing his political career as council leader from 2003 to 2005, Mr Briggs guided the council with “vision and integrity” before being awarded the title of Alderman in April 2018.
Southend Tory leader James Courtenay, said: “I’m very saddened to hear about the death of Howard Briggs, who gave decades of service to our city, as both mayor and leader of the council.
“His legacy lives on given the record £127,000 he raised during his mayoral year and the formation of the Southend Fund which continues to support local charities today.
“Personally, Howard was very supportive of me as he retired from and I started my career in politics, acting as my agent and a great sounding board in my formative years.
“He will be sadly missed.”
Charity – Howard (left) out supporting charity in the community as then-president of Leigh Rotary (Image: Newsquest)
Non-aligned Belfairs councillor, Stephen Aylen, praised Mr Briggs for getting him into politics back in 1996.
He said: “When I became a councillor in 1996, there were three Tories and he got me to be a councillor.
“He was a brilliant man and he really changed the role of mayor for the Mayor’s Charity, he raised so much for them.
“The fund was a good way to reach so many people, he was forward-thinking and great and when I was first elected, he guided me.
“That was how you learn to be a councillor properly, he taught the new people conduct, what you wore and how you acted in the chamber.
“It is a sad loss.”
Mr Brigg’s death has also been mourned by Labour council leader Dan Cowan and current mayor Ron Woodley, both sending their thoughts to the family and praising his dedication to Southend.