Tributes to former Diss Mayor and South Norfolk Councillor Brian Clark-Taylor

South Norfolk Council Leader John Fuller, and Council Chief Executive Geoff Rivers have paid tribute to former Mayor of Diss and South Norfolk District Councillor Brian Clark-Taylor, who died on Friday (April 18).

Councillor Clark-Taylor had been in the Mulbarton Ward at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for the last four weeks, and finally lost his battle with cancer on Friday evening. He was 59.

The Union flag which flies every day at the Council offices in Long Stratton has been lowered to half mast as a mark of respect.

His friend, colleague and nominated next-of-kin, District Councillor Sue Thomson, said Brian had asked for a cremation service at Bury St Edmunds and a memorial service at Diss Methodist Church, where he worshipped regularly. No dates have yet been set.

Council Leader John Fuller paid tribute to Councillor Clark-Taylor as a champion for Diss, who had served his adopted town with distinction:

“Brian was a Champion for Diss. He served with distinction on the town council and I remember that during his service as Diss Town Mayor, not a week passed without a photograph of him in the local media dressed in his flowing Mayoral robes and tricorn hat commenting on the issues that really mattered to local people and to the town. His vision for Diss will live on.”

South Norfolk Council Chief Executive Geoff Rivers said:

"Brian was an excellent Member of South Norfolk Council. He will be missed enormously by his colleagues and by staff. He was an enthusiastic Mayor for Diss last year and represented the town at every available opportunity.

"For the District Council, he successfully navigated the sometimes choppy waters when dealing with staff and council relations and he was a very effective Member of the Council Scrutiny Committee."

Councillor Clark-Taylor leaves no family. He lost his twin sister a few years ago, after nursing her through cancer.

Councillor Fuller said that the death of his twin had left “a terrible mark on him”, but he added:

“For someone without any remaining family, the constant procession of visitors to his hospital bedside was a tribute to the mark he made on local life. We will miss him, his quirky laugh and the way in which he conducted himself with dignity and panache in his Council work. 

"When the funeral date is set, I hope we can all give him the send-off he deserves. It will be our opportunity to say thank you for his life of service to the people he represented.”

Councillor Clark-Taylor was chairman of the district council Joint Consultative Committee of trade unions, staff associations and management. He was a member of the council's key Scrutiny Committee.

He was well-known as the Mayor of Diss, and Diss Town Council will be issuing separate statements in tribute.

Before moving to Diss, Councillor Clark-Taylor was for many years, a councillor in Richmond, Surrey.

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