TERRY MUSGRAVE, a former Bexley Council chief executive who served the council for 20 years has died. He was 62.

Mr Musgrave was only 31 when he beat 60 candidates to the post of chief executive in 1975.

On his retirement, Bexley Council passed a motion, signed by the leaders of each of the three parties represented on the council, to record its appreciation of Mr Musgrave’s long and loyal service to the borough.

It stated: “The quality of the council’s administration, management arrangements and standards of public service together with the many significant improvements achieved since he joined Bexley are testimony to the outstanding contribution made by Mr Musgrave.”

Current council leader, Cllr Chris Ball, said: “All those who worked with Terry Musgrave will be very sad to learn of his passing. He played a huge role in making the council the modern and professional organisation it is today.”

Cllr Len Newton, council leader for many of the years that Mr Musgrave was at the helm, said: “I shall sadly miss Terry Musgrave who I worked closely with for some 17 years. It was as a result of the hard work he put in over many years that Bexley became the excellent council it is today.”

Mr Musgrave leaves a widow, Tricia, and three children. His funeral will be held on Friday, January 20, near the family home in north Kent.

It will be followed by a service for close family and friends. For further details please contact the Mayor’s office on 020 8294 6153.

The council’s flag will fly at half-mast outside the Civic Offices on the day of the funeral.