Tributes have been paid to John Pollard, a local Hayle and county councillor, who has died suddenly.
He gave a lifetime of public service: to people in Hayle as a highly-respected councillor and town mayor, as leader of Cornwall Council for four years, and as a much-loved teacher and deputy headteacher.
Pauline Giles, chairman of Cornwall Council, said: “John was a man who, quite simply, devoted his life to public service, first as a teacher in the Midlands before returning to Cornwall and becoming a teacher and then deputy headmaster at Humphrey Davy School for 25 years, until he retired in 2004.
“He joined Hayle Town Council in 1982 and served as town mayor 1986 to 1988. He was a truly independent councillor, proudly representing his home town of Hayle before being elected a Cornwall councillor in 2009, and then leader of Cornwall Council in May 2013.
“John headed a joint independent and Liberal administration from 2013 through to May 2017, which successfully negotiated the first non-metropolitan devolution deal. Such was his talent and influence that in 2016 he was voted one of the top 50 most influential leaders in local government.
“He was a proud Cornishman and Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd — Kampyer A’gan Ertach — invited because of his services to Cornish heritage and history.
“John will be sadly missed by all who knew him. His services to Cornwall and its residents were far reaching and will not be forgotten.
“I, as chairman, together with the leader, group leaders, past Cornwall Council leaders, and chief officers will ensure that Cornwall Council plays its part in marking John’s exceptional contribution to the life of the Duchy.”
