TRIBUTES have been paid to a “positive and joyful” councillor who represented Yeovil for the best part of two decades, writes Daniel Mumby, Local Democracy Reporter.

Alan Smith, one of three councillors representing the Brympton ward on South Somerset District Council, passed away aged 74 at Yeovil Hospital on Wednesday (April 6) after “a period of illness”.

Mr Smith represented various parts of Yeovil on the district council for 15 years, including a victory alongside fellow Liberal Democrats Peter Seib and Jeny Snell in the last local elections in May 2019.

Mr Seib has led the tributes to his colleague, praising him for his faithful service to his constituents and Yeovil as a whole.

Mr Smith represented the Yeovil South ward between 2003 and 2011 before losing his seat.

He subsequently returned to office as ward member for Yeovil West between 2015 and 2019, and finally ward member for Brympton from 2019 until his death.

He also served on Yeovil Town Council and Crewkerne Town Council at various points during this period, as well as being a school governor and represents a number of residents’ groups in Yeovil.

The council’s deputy leader Peter Seib announced Mr Smith’s passing on social media on Thursday (April 7) – less than 24 hours after the full list of candidates for the upcoming local elections were announced.

He said: “I’m sad to tell you that Councillor Alan Smith died yesterday in Yeovil Hospital. Alan had served the people of Yeovil as a councillor for many years and was elected to represent Brympton Ward in 2019.

“Alan was always such a positive and joyful person, and the people he canvassed in Brympton often mention that.”

Councillor Kaysar Hussain, who represents the neighbouring Yeovil College ward, described Mr Smith as “a true gentleman”.

Council chairman Paul Maxwell – who represents the Eggwood ward near Crewkerne – released a lengthy tribute to Mr Smith on Friday afternoon (April 8), saying the news of his death filled him with “very great sadness”.

He said: “I knew him as a friend and colleague for more than 12 years. He was a kind, thoughtful and decent man with a great sense of humour who achieved so much during his time as a councillor.

“In more recent times, I think he would have been the first to admit that Zoom meetings were not always his forte, though his willingness to persevere absolutely demonstrated his enduring commitment to serving his constituents.

“I am sure that everyone at the council and all those who knew him will miss him deeply, but also remember him with great fondness.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his widow, Claire, at this very sad time.”

Mr Smith’s seat is likely to remain vacant until after the elections to the new unitary Somerset Council on May 5.