TRIBUTES have been paid to a former councillor and “the life and soul of every party” who has died at the age of 63. 

David Newell, who served as a councillor for the Borough of Poole until 2019, died “suddenly”. 

He served as a councillor in the late 1990s until he was elected as a Borough of Poole councillor in 2003. 

He went on to serve until 2007 when he took a step aside before being re-elected in 2015 for Broadstone. 

Bournemouth Echo: David Newell (L)

During his time serving the community, David championed children’s services the most where he lobbied for £150m in grants to develop Poole schools. 

He also became a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University after completing a Masters course, he remained there until his death this September. 

Paying tribute at full council meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Phil Broadhead, opposition leader, said David was a “very dear friend” to many. 

He said: “He met [his wife] Jane in 1984 and that’s when all the fun started.  

“Jane and David were the life of absolutely every party, the life and soul of everything they did, travelled the world and Jane is currently in a house in Florida where they shared many a time.  

“They were a fantastic couple and married for an astonishing 39 years. 

“On his political career, David was very political but not about party politics mainly because he was intensely passionate about his community. 

He continued: “David’s legacy would be the education sector. He was very key in lobbying for a £150m grant to develop Poole schools. 

“He spent all of his time focused on education and became a governor of Broadstone First School and Poole Grammar for over 20 years. Education went right through him. 

“He lived an extraordinary life. We nearly lost him three years ago to a brain aneurism and David and Jane used that rebirth to live life to a full. 

“He did a fantastic job as a councillor, the life and soul of every party, a dear friend and I am delighted and honoured to pay tribute to him.”