The Leader announced that he would remember his friend and colleague David Sage as someone who fought with passion, and who held an unshakeable belief in doing what was right for people.

The serious injuries that he received during his accident in Saundersfoot and the effects of his subsequent stroke may had a profound impact upon David’s life, but he never gave up.

After his fall, David astonished doctors by walking out of hospital. He became the deputy chair of the Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People, and took part in last year’s Step Out For Stroke event at Newbridge Fields.

But this was of course very typical of David, and aptly demonstrated his strength of character. It should have come as no surprise to see him adapt to his new circumstances by immediately setting out to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. During his long time in hospital he was regularly checking with doctors and nurses to make sure that other patients on his ward were receiving the care and support they both needed and wanted. At one stage every patient on his ward was having cooked breakfast every morning. He never stopped representing other people.

His values of public service, social justice and helping others weren’t just about speeches or meetings for Dave, they were about practical action. This was epitomised in his critical role in the charity that raised tens of thousands for the orphanage near Chernobyl. Both Dave and Ann welcomed the children into their home for holidays, and Dave and his twin brother Don spent many of their own holidays travelling with the charity to Belorussia to ensure that the aid actually got to the children and the orphanage.

Dave achieved a great deal for his community of Brackla and further afield.

While it goes without saying that he will be sadly missed, the Leader stated that he knew that he was not the only person present in the Council Chamber today, who will say what a privilege and an honour it was to know and work alongside him.

The Leader concluded by adding,  that not only all those present here today, but many, many more besides, will all miss David, and he hoped that Johnny, Sarah and all of Dave’s family can see the high regard in which he was held here at Bridgend County Borough Council.

Further messages of tribute followed in turn for David, from Councillors CA Green, JC Spanswick, PJ White, CL Jones, KJ Watts, HM Williams, CE Smith, MEJ Nott OBE, E Dodd and M Thomas.

Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that for varying reasons, that included the close proximity of the local elections as well as difficulty in concluding consultation on reports scheduled for certain up and coming Committees, it has been considered necessary to postpone the following meetings due to be held on the stated dates:-

Community, Environment & Leisure O&SC – 6 April 2017

Partnerships & Governance O&SC – 10 April 2017

Council – 26 April 2017

Democratic Services Committee – 3 May 2017