Former Wickford county councillor dies after short illness
Alderman Iris Pummell represented Wickford on Essex County Council for over 20 years
Basildon Conservatives are deeply saddened to report the passing of our former colleague, Iris Pummell, who died last week following a short illness.
Iris was a highly respected public servant. She was first elected to Essex County Council in 1989 representing the Wickford Division. The residents of Wickford re-elected her three times and, following boundary changes in 2005, she was then elected along with Don Morris to represent the new two-member Wickford Crouch Division. Iris was subsequently re-elected again in 2009 and retired from the council in 2013.
During her 24 years at County Hall, Iris was an extremely hard-working and diligent county councillor
During her 24 years at County Hall, Iris was an extremely hard-working and diligent county councillor, serving on various committees. She also served as Cabinet Member responsible for Community Services (including libraries) and later held the education portfolio as Cabinet Member for Children's Services & Schools.
Iris had followed her late husband, Brian, into politics. He was also a long-serving district councillor, representing Wickford North on Basildon Council on two occasions, from 1979 to 1986 and then again from 1988 to 1996. Her son-in-law, Bob Britnell, also served one term as a district councillor for Wickford North (1984-8).
Don Morris served alongside Iris at County Hall for a total of 16 years, first as division neighbours when she represented Wickford and he represented the old Crouch Division and then later as division colleagues when they were both elected to the new combined Wickford Crouch Division. He remains, to this day, a borough councillor for Wickford Castledon Ward and served for several years alongside the late Brian Pummell on Basildon Council.
"Iris worked hard." ~ Cllr Don Morris
Councillor Morris said of his former colleague: "Iris worked hard. She was a very dedicated and conscientious county councillor and was devoted to the County of Essex in general but Wickford in particular. I have many fond memories of both Iris and her husband, Brian. Good Wickford people, who will be sorely missed by this community."
Iris was made an Honorary Alderman of Essex and continued to volunteer with the Salvation Army foodbank in Wickford. The thoughts and prayers of all of us at Basildon Borough Conservatives go out to Iris' family and friends at this sad time. She will be sadly missed.
