Tributes Paid to Scarborough Councillor After 50 Years’ Service

Friday, 9 June 2023 15:44

By Stuart Minting, Local Democracy Reporter

Tributes have been paid to a Scarborough councillor who is thought to be the longest serving member of a senior authority in the country as he marks his 50th anniversary serving communities.

Councillor David Jeffels has continuously represented the rural Derwent Valley villages since 1973 when he was elected to Greater Scarborough Shadow Council, before serving on North Yorkshire Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority.

The National Association of Councillors said it was not aware of another elected councillor of a senior authority who had served more than half a century.

The Conservative served as Scarborough district’s tourism and leisure boss, and became chairman of the development services and planning committee.

He has also been chairman of county council scrutiny committees covering transport, economy and health.

Now in his late 70s, Councillor Jeffels recently became the first councillor to be awarded a lifetime of service honour by Scarborough Council at its last meeting, when he was also made an honorary alderman.

His long career has seen him twice become chairman of the British Resorts Association and its successor, British Destinations, chairman of Yorkshire Rural Community Council, and Rural Action Yorkshire, and is the longest serving member of the North York Moors National Park Authority.

He said:

“Local government has evolved considerably over the years. We now have cabinet systems and the work of the councillor has changed, particularly with the public becoming more demanding of their councillor, questioning them and scrutinising their work, and in particular through the parish council system.

“People power has come to the fore, whereas years ago councillors made a decision and that was it. Today decisions can be called in, scrutinised and overturned.

“I think with North Yorkshire joining a mayoral combined authority from next May the role of a councillor will become even more important as we’re hoping to get more power, responsibilities and finance coming from Westminster.”

Councillor Jeffels said he ranked working to boost North Yorkshire’s economy as among his top achievements as a councillor.

He said:

“One thing I do take pride in is supporting the proposal for the Anglo American potash mine. The plan was heading for refusal and I like to think my influence resulted in the mine being approved by just one vote.

“I recall the A64 needing an upgrade was an issue in 1973 and it’s still very much an issue today, particularly among the business communities in Scarborough, Ryedale and West Yorkshire as well.”

The authority’s leader, Councillor Carl Les described Counillor Jeffels’ length of service as “a remarkable achievement”.

He added:

“David is a very active and respected member of the new council and brings a wealth of experience to discussions and debate. ”

A semi-retired journalist, living at West Ayton with his wife Marilyn, two children, Lyndon and Siobhan, and four grandchildren, his other interests include being a churchwarden and a trustee of Dial-a-Ride.

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