FORMER Deputy Leader of Kent County Council John Simmonds has died aged 82.
The Conservative member for Canterbury North stepped back as Cabinet Member for Finance earlier this year due to ill health, and passed away on Sunday.
The married father of three lived in Whitstable. The county council has not disclosed the cause of death, when a by-election is to be held or funeral arrangements.
Council Leader Paul Carter said: ‘John has steered Kent County Council in recent years through the most austere financial times the authority has ever experienced.’
