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Search the Public Notice PortalTributes have been paid following the passing of former Somerset councillor Andrew Gilling, described as a “champion of affordable housing”.
Mr Gilling served as a Conservative councillor on Sedgemoor District Council for 20 years between 2003 and 2023, representing numerous villages around the Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge area.
Mr Gilling passed away on June 16 at the age of 77, with his family describing him as “a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many”.
Following Mr Gilling’s funeral at Sedgemoor Crematorium on Monday (July 13), tributes were paid by Somerset councillors when the full council met in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (July 15).
Council deputy chairman Lee Baker (Liberal Democrat, Taunton North) opened the tributes, stating he was “really saddened” to hear of Mr Gilling’s death.
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He added: “He served the people of Sedgemoor with distinction for many years.
“During his time in public office, he was a committed advocate for his local communities and worked tirelessly on behalf of residents across the district.”
Mr Gilling was first elected to Sedgemoor District Council in 2003, representing the Brent North ward (which comprised numerous small villages between Burnham-on-Sea, Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare).
Following boundary changes in 2011, he subsequently served as one of two Conservative councillors for the Knoll ward – a seat he held for 12 years until the council was formally abolished in 2023.
As portfolio holder for housing, Mr Gilling was responsible for pushing forward new council housing projects across the former district - including 27 homes at Springfield Close in Pawlett and the redevelopment of Penlea House on Rhode Lane in Bridgwater.
He was often critical of more commercial developments, describing plans for 40 homes in East Brent as "one of the worst I have ever had the misfortune to come across".
Councillor Bob Filmer – who also represented the Knoll ward until 2023 – led the tributes to Mr Gilling, stated he “practised what he preached” when it came to providing homes for local people.
Mr Filmer (who currently represents the Brent division on Somerset Council) said: “I first worked with Andrew nearly 25 years ago when he stood in a by-election.
"He'd been asked by our then-county councillor Alan Ham, who said that it would just be a couple of meetings every six weeks or so.
"After being elected, Andrew threw himself into the work at Sedgemoor and was on a number of committees. We worked even closer when our two wards were combined.
"We sat on the development committee together, and Andrew always highlighted local views, and constantly pushed planners to listen to the internal drainage boards about flooding issues.
"Andrew championed affordable housing for local people across Sedgemoor. He also practised what he preached, making land available behind his own home, and his former pig unit became the base for the South Western Housing Society headquarters.
"There are many people across the former Sedgemoor area in affordable homes today thanks to the efforts of Andrew. When he took on a job, he tended to stick with it.
"He was a good friend and a committed local councillor. I will certainly miss my chats with him and his solid, wise advice.
"My thoughts are with Rosemary (his widow) and their family."
Councillor Gill Slocombe (Conservative, Bridgwater West) added: "It's so hard to be able to speak about somebody in just three minutes of the service they gave.
"He was a very quiet ward member, but a very strong man. He worked tirelessly on housing, and his commitment to the Knoll ward was famous.
"He is a great loss to us because of his knowledge, his friendly smile and his wit. He did it his way, and he did it right to the end."
The flags on County Hall in Taunton were flown at half mast on Wednesday (July 15) out of respect for Mr Gilling, with a minute’s silence being held during the full council meeting.
Mr Gilling’s estate has said that any donations in his memory should be made to either Young Lives vs Cancer or Weston Hospicecare.
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