Tributes paid to councillor who died

Mike James was a 'role model to all'

Tributes have been paid after the death of a dedicated Devon councillor who served on two of the county’s major local authorities.

Mike James died after suffering a fall when he went to help another person who had collapsed in the street. He was 89.

He was a leading councillor in Torbay before moving to Dawlish and serving on the town council there. He was elected to Teignbridge Council in 2023, and represented the Dawlish South West ward as a Liberal Democrat.

He also volunteered as a governor for Torbay and South Devon NHS.

Teignbridge Council chair (Ind, Haytor) said: “Mike will be remembered as a dedicated councillor who was committed to helping his community. Our thoughts and condolences are with Mike’s family, friends, colleagues and all who knew him.”

Members of the council stood for a minute’s silence at the beginning of their executive meeting, after which an emotional Cllr Gary Taylor (Lib Dem, Kenton and Starcross) described Cllr James as a ‘very dear colleague’.

He had played at Cardiff City football club in his younger days, he said, and was a football coach when he moved to Devon, He had been a housing association chairman and co-founder of a charity for children with special needs.

“He always had a light in his eye,” said Cllr Taylor.

Tributes were also paid by colleagues at Dawlish Town Council, where Mayor Anthony James said: “Mike, also fondly known by me as my Jessie James, was our oldest member on the council and was halfway through his ninetieth year.

“Mike was a role model for us all. He was passionate about his community, the people he served and the elderly. Mike was quiet and deliberate when he spoke, delivering his message loud and clear. Mike was a quiet and knowledgeable person, who lived in many countries, worked in health as a doctor and a qualified solicitor, who later became a coroner’s officer.

“His warmth, his humour, advice, words of wisdom and knowledge, is not lost with his passing, as he has touched us all with his generosity. Sleep well our friend as memories will remain with all you have touched.”

The town council’s flag is being flown at half mast at the Manor House.