It’s a privilege for me to be able to say a few words about our Labour Group Leader, Councillor Jonathan Nicholls.

It’s also somewhat scary for me, as I very much want to get this right to do him justice, as he was such a special man.

As our Group leader, he was always clear about putting local people first and often setting party politics aside to overcome divisions. He always saw the bigger picture.

Right now, as a Group, we are all devastated.  Each and every one of us were lucky to have benefited from Jonathan’s calm and nurturing nature and are the better for it.

Jonathan was always prepared to listen and find a constructive way to make our voice heard here.

Although he came to politics later in life, after a truly stellar career in higher education, his intellect and dedication meant he made a big difference in that short time. I have never met anyone with quite such a brain.

In his short three years as a Councillor, he achieved a great deal both for our Group and most importantly, for Warwick District.

He was a highly respected Chair of the Finance and Audit Scrutiny Committee and established relationships across the board to ‘get things done’. I know many of you worked closely with him and respected him for his cross-party work. He was always the grown-up in his dealings with everyone and was very much about politics of kindness and compassion.

Jonathan was very ambitious for Leamington and all its residents, who have benefited from the time and energy he dedicated to public service.

Most of all he was a natural leader, not because he was forceful – in fact the very opposite.  He was a gentle man, with a warm, welcoming manner, who commanded respect because he was so capable and because people knew he had a generous spirit, so they sought his advice and counsel. Jonathan never had to raise his voice to make a point.

Personally, I feel very fortunate to have counted Jonathan as both a colleague and a friend. His mentorship meant the world to me.  He was so encouraging, a great role model and my biggest support and ally here.

I think it would be fitting if his legacy here, is that we all continue to follow his example; work hard for our residents and treat each other with respect, always listen and show consideration to others.

Jonathan was the very best of men, totally selfless and did so much for others. I am gutted to lose my friend and mentor, and will miss him deeply.