By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Politicians stopped proceedings to pay tribute to a “quietly thoughtful and intelligent” councillor after his sudden death was confirmed last month.
Councillor Eddie Cubley (Con) represented Eastwood on Nottinghamshire County Council from May last year until his death.
He had beaten current Broxtowe Borough Council leader Milan Radulovic to win the seat.
He also represented Greasley on Broxtowe Borough Council.
Tributes poured in last month after his death was confirmed on August 12, with councillors expressing their shock and sadness at his passing.
At County Hall, Cllr Cubley sat on the pensions fund, health scrutiny and the children and young people’s scrutiny committees.
He was also involved in the City of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Fire Authority.
In his personal life, he was also described as being an avid skydiver and had a black belt in taekwondo.
And speaking during the county council’s full council meeting on Thursday (September 22) – the first since Cllr Cubley’s death – councillors paused proceedings to pay tributes to their late colleague.
Cllr Richard Jackson (Con), portfolio holder for finance, said: “I count myself as being lucky in that I’ve known Eddie a lot longer and probably a lot better than colleagues here today.
“He came onto my radar probably about 15 years ago when he started campaigning for us all across Broxtowe and he was a stalwart, a very loyal and hardworking person.
“He was quietly thoughtful and an intelligent guy as well. Somebody said at the funeral last week that he was an ‘unassuming character’ and I think that sums him up.
“He did 192 parachute jumps but never told us, and I can’t think of anybody who wouldn’t tell you that before they would tell you their name – never mind what I found out years later about his black belt in taekwondo.
“He just got on with it in his own, quiet way. I was inundated with calls from people who wanted to share their shock and upset about Eddie’s death.
“He joined us less than 18 months ago, in Covid times, and I’m sorry so many people didn’t get the chance to work with him for the remainder of this term.”
Cllr Michael Payne (Lab), deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council and divisional member for Arnold North, is also chair of the Fire Authority.
He said: “He was a treasured member, he was quiet, gentle, assured, assertive, never rude and never belligerent.
“But believe me, sat in the chair of the Fire Authority, you always had to be on your game when he asked a question. He was always searching, it always cut to the point of the issue and he was always passionate.
“In the time I spent outside the formal setting with him, he was kind, courteous, engaging and a deeply lovely human being who could extend right across political divides.
“I really enjoyed my conversations and times spent with him. I think his quiet assuredness in this chamber will be greatly missed by this council and it certainly will be missed at the Fire Authority.
“The chief fire officer and all members of staff in the fire service were devastated when they heard of his untimely death.”
Cllr Cubley was laid to rest following a funeral earlier this month. The cause of his death has not been released publicly.
A by-election will be held in his vacated Eastwood division later this year.
