Tribute to Nottinghamshire County Councillor Roger Jackson

Councillor Jackson, who sadly died yesterday after a long battle with cancer, represented the Southwell Division for the Conservative Party for more than 10 years and was a true champion of the communities he tirelessly served.

He will be fondly remembered for his time as council chairman in 2022-23, a year in which he helped to raise more than £27,000 for the Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre – part of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

Councillor Sam Smith, the Conservative Group Leader at Nottinghamshire County Council, said he was ‘deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and colleague’.

He said: “I had the privilege of working closely with Roger and seeing first-hand just how much he cared about his communities and the people he represented.

“His commitment to public service was extraordinary, and even in the final days of his life he was still attending meetings and making sure things were being delivered for local people.

“Roger leaves behind an incredible legacy across Nottinghamshire, but for those of us who knew and worked with him, he leaves something more personal too. He was a gentleman, a great colleague and someone who could always be relied upon to stand up for his communities and get things done.

“I am incredibly proud of everything Roger achieved during his years of public service, and grateful to have had the opportunity to call him a friend and colleague.”

Councillor Mick Barton, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Roger’s family, friends and to everyone who knew him at this extremely sad time.

“I only knew Roger for a relatively short time but every time I met him, he was a gentleman – and he was a gentleman. I know he was extremely well thought of in his ward, and he will be a huge loss to the Southwell community.

“Rest in peace Roger and thank you for your service as a councillor at Nottinghamshire County Council. You will be missed.”

Councillor Jackson also served on Newark and Sherwood District Council for more than 23 years, where he had held senior roles including vice-chairman and Portfolio Holder for Cleaner, Safer, Greener.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Councillor Jackson’s wife, Jilly, and his family at this incredibly difficult time.