Tributes paid after the death of the former chairman of North Yorkshire County Council

The former chairman of North Yorkshire County Council has died.

The Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said Jim Clark was a hugely respected member, whose passion and drive for helping communities across the county was well-known and respected across the political spectrum.

Cllr Les continued: “His involvement with the authority dated back more than 20 years to when he was first elected as a county councillor in May 2001.

“While he was unsuccessful in his bid to be re-elected in the May 2005 elections, he returned to become a county councillor in 2009, showing his commitment and desire to do all he could for North Yorkshire, and he was also a member for Harrogate Borough Council.

“When he became chair, Jim made a commitment to visit every district in the county, which was a massive undertaking. However, even though there was an interruption due to Covid-19, he did complete the challenge, and the majority of his visits were to staff and members of small community projects and care homes, who were always very appreciative.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family at this desperately sad time, and he will be remembered as someone who was committed to ensuring the very best was achieved for North Yorkshire.”

Carl Les added: “Jim always said that he was proud to be the first Scottish chair of the county council, and was also somewhat of an expert on the Scottish-American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.

“Jim was to give a series of talks on Andrew Carnegie, who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century, at North Yorkshire libraries before Covid-19 interrupted the events.

“Jim was a strong advocate for mental health services as well as the preservation of key hospital services in the county. This was highlighted during his time as the chair of the council’s scrutiny of health committee from September 2010 to May 2019, when he stood down to be appointed as the authority’s chair.