Ex-Havant councillor will be “greatly missed” after his death
A minute’s silence was held by councillors
Tributes have been paid to a former Havant councillor will be “greatly missed” after his recent death.
Long-serving Havant and Hampshire councillor David Guest passed away last month with a minute’s silence held at an extraordinary meeting for councillors to pay their respects.
He was a prominent figure in local politics for 23 years, serving both on Havant Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, and famously held the Planning and Built Environment portfolio. He served as deputy leader of Havant council for seven years.
Cllr Guest also represented the Bedhampton ward and played a key role as the cabinet lead for Planning and Place-Making, notably helping steer the borough's Local Plan.
During his tenure, he reached several key milestones in borough planning, including ensuring Havant's Allocations Local Plan was submitted to the government ahead of schedule in 2014.
He was first elected to represent St Faith’s ward in 2001 and served the community there for 20 years. In 2021, he was elected to represent Bedhampton ward, continuing his service for a further three years, before his retirement in 2024.
A minute’s silence was held at the start of the Extraordinary Full Council meeting that took place on Wednesday 24 June, to mark David’s passing and to give councillors the opportunity to pay their respects
A tribute released by Havant Borough Council said: “It is with great sadness to learn the passing of former councillor David Guest.
“Throughout more than two decades of public service, David worked tirelessly on behalf of residents and will be remembered for his dedication to the communities he represented.
“During his 23 years of dedicated service to Havant Borough Council, David made a significant contribution through a wide range of roles and responsibilities, with a particular focus on Planning, Development and Regeneration. He also served as deputy leader for seven years.
“The mayor and the leader have both paid tribute to David’s commitment to public service, his deep care for the communities of St Faith’s and Bedhampton, and his lasting impact on the borough. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.”