Tributes paid to Terry King who ably served Rutland for 18 years
Business colleagues, political figures and bikers have paid tribute to former Rutland County Council leader Terry King who has died after a prolonged illness.
Mr King served on the county council for 18 years before stepping down due to ill health in January 2017.
He continued to play an active role in his furniture business and his motocross hobby, becoming honorary president of the Amateur Motorcycle Association in January this year.
Mr King died on Friday, aged 71. He leaves wife Linda.
Barbara Blackwell, a co-director Belvoir Associates Ltd, has paid tribute to her colleague. They set up the business together in 1990 with Dave Barton.
She said: “Terry was a unique force of nature and will be sorely missed by all.
“Always proud of his Black Country roots, his dry sense of humour and particularly his Enoch and Eli jokes were never quite understood by our continental customers, but he never failed to recite one.
“He was a cat-lover, choosing Billy, Bobby and Tiger as furniture names for particular products, but was also seen to be a soft-touch with a regular dog visitor, ensuring the digestive biscuit tin always had a morsel to be offered.”
The company, based in Pillings Road, Oakham, has grown over time to employ almost 40 people and branched out into European exports.
Mrs Blackwell added: “Terry continued working from home, even after his illness took hold. He never was an idle individual.”
Oakham mayor Adam Lowe is among those to have worked for Mr King.
He said: “I first met Terry over 20 years ago when I was employed by him. He was a generous man then, with his professionalism and enthusiasm for his business being equally matched in his commitment to the role he fulfilled with such passion as councillor and leader with the Rutland County Council.
“I extend my heartfelt wishes to his family at this difficult time and hope they take some comfort from the fact that Terry was well respected and admired as a man who genuinely cared for Rutland and made a difference in so many ways.”
Mr King was best known for his work with Rutland County Council.
He was first elected to the council as ward member for Exton in 1999 and was re-elected three times. He was elected as council leader in February 2016 following the death of his colleague Roger Begy and was the long-standing portfolio holder for development and finance.
He played a key role in the purchase of Ashwell Prison and its transformation into Oakham Enterprise Park. In tribute to his work, the council named the business hub at the former Rutland County College site in Barleythorpe The King Centre.
Chief executive of the council, Helen Briggs, described Mr King as an “extremely dedicated public servant”.
She added: “His time as a councillor coincided with a period of huge change for Rutland, which celebrated two decades of independence last year. Terry was instrumental in helping the county to reach this incredible milestone.”
Council leader Oliver Hemsley (Con) said: “Terry made an immeasurable contribution to the council. He first entered local politics after Rutland gained independence, applying his many years of experience and considerable business acumen to help the county navigate numerous challenges and become the vibrant and prosperous place it is today.”
Council chairman Kenneth Bool, said Terry was held “in the highest possible regard”.
He said: “His commitment and shrewd character made him an outstanding councillor and one who never lost sight of the needs of local people. We must also recognise his wider contribution to Rutland, as a successful businessman who created jobs in our area and supported our local economy.”
Mr King was a member of the Rutland and Melton Conservative Association.
Chairman Byron Rhodes said: “He was a true Conservative and a very fine leader. He will be missed by everyone who takes an interest in politics and local affairs.
“He was a tough act to follow. Terry accepted the leadership, steadied the ship and carried out his duties to the best of his abilities.”
Rutland and Melton MP, Alan Duncan, added: “Terry King was a well-known and hugely respected member of Rutland’s business community. He was also an immensely astute councillor who was unwavering in his commitment to provide good governance and outstanding services for residents.
“Terry was a driving force behind the success of Oakham Enterprise Park, which has grown to become a thriving hub for local industries, as well as a key component of our local economy. Forthright and even-handed, Terry had a profoundly positive impact on Rutland over many years and will be greatly missed.”
Mr King lived in Cottesmore and was ward member for Exton. He and his wife were keen supporters of village events.
Clerk of Exton Parish Council, Annette Oliver, said: “We were all very sorry to hear about Terry as all of us who had any contact with him found him to be so very kind and approachable.”
Mr King’s influence was felt across the county.
Director of Uppingham First, Ron Simpson, said: “Uppingham would not have a neighbourhood plan if it were not for Terry who agreed to support the town’s application for ‘front runner’ status when government first announced grants for neighbourhood plans.
“He cared a lot about Rutland and was a businessman through and through.”
Uppingham Town Council said: “Terry will be remembered as a thoughtful, hard working county council politician who had an extraordinary grasp of all things financial and became the ideal counterpart to former council leader, Roger Begy.”
Outside of the council chamber, Mr King’s hobbies were football and motocross. He and his wife regularly travelled to support Wolverhampton Wanderers and take part in motocross events.
He joined the Standard (Coventry) Motocross Club in 1976 and helped to set up the Leicester club a year later when he moved to Cottesmore. In 1979 Mr King became a founding member of the Oakham club and rode with them regularly, often arriving at council meetings in his leathers.
Mr King continued to serve on the committee of the Amateur Motorcycle Association and was appointed honorary president of the association in January. He never missed a committee meeting in 35 years.
General manager of the Amateur Motorcycle Association, Suzanne Potts, said: “The AMCA and motocross was a big part of Terry’s life for many years and he was a big part of the AMCA during that time.
“Extremely driven and hard working, Terry would never shy away from issues that needed to be tackled. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him and our deepest sympathies go to Linda who was always by his side.”
Flags were flown at half-mast outside the county council offices in Oakham this week as a mark of respect and a two-minute silence was held before public meetings.
Funeral arrangements are still to be confirmed.
