A COUNCILLOR who served local Government since 1968 has died aged 92.

Jim Buckee was made an Honorary Alderman by South Gloucestershire Council in 1997 after working tirelessly for many years to campaign on local issues.

Mr Buckee passed away in hospital on Monday, December, 28. He was 92.

He was a member of Kingswood Urban District Council from 1967 to 1974 and a member of Gloucestershire County Council from 1968 to 1974.

He was also a Kingswood district and then borough councillor from 1973 to 1996 and during this time served as vice chairman of the council and then chairman from 1980 to 1981. He was also leader of the area’s Conservative group from 1983 to 1991.

Mr Buckee was a member of Avon County Council from 1977 to 1981. Current leader of the Conservative group Cllr John Calway and deputy leader Cllr Heather Goddard said: "Jim was committed to local government and the people of Hanham, in particular, whom he represented for several decades.

"The service which he gave to the Kingwood councils was exemplary, and he believed in providing good old fashioned services which gave good value for money for the people of the area.

"He was an excellent local councillor as well as a leader.

"We both feel very privileged to have worked with him over many years and for what we learnt from him about commitment to people and local government. We hope that we will be able to continue his example of unselfish working for the communities that we both serve."

Jim Buckee’s funeral will be held on January 18 at 2.30pm at Westerleigh Crematorium.