Former Provost Jimmy Boyd MBE

Jimmy Boyd first became a Councillor in 1982, when he was elected to serve Strathclyde Regional Council.  He was subsequently elected to East Ayrshire Council at reorganisation, and served in a wide variety of committee roles including Chair of Social Work, Chair of the Licensing Board and Chair of the Labour Group.

As well as fulfilling his responsibilities on Council committees, he continued to represent local people on important outside organisations including the Strathclyde Joint Police Board of which he was Vice Convenor from 1996. He was also appointed to the Board of Governors of the Scottish Police College in September 1999.

He served as Provost of East Ayrshire from 1999 until his retirement in 2003.   

On his election as Provost in 1999, Jimmy was appointed an Honorary President of the Robert Burns World Federation and was later awarded the rare distinction of honorary life membership of the Federation for his ‘support, encouragement and friendship’ to the organisation.  Jimmy’s interests were many and varied: he accepted an invitation in October 1999 from the Department of Trade and Industry to join the British Coal Health Claims Monitoring Group, and he chaired the East Ayrshire Woodlands Management Committee as well.

As Provost, Jimmy served the Council and his community with distinction and dedication and following his retirement, he was awarded an MBE in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his outstanding contribution to local government and the community. 

He was an exceptional ambassador for East Ayrshire Council and cared deeply about our communities.   

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “Jimmy and I were both elected to East Ayrshire Council in 1995 and as a former Councillor at Strathclyde Regional Council, Jimmy brought considerable experience to the early days of our Council, which was so important in our formative years. He carried out his various roles with great distinction, pride and vigour and when chairing meetings, he ensured that everyone was able to have their say.” 

Provost Jim Todd said: “I remember that when I became Provost, Jimmy gave me some very good advice about the role and was extremely supportive, something I have always been very grateful for. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends who will all miss him greatly.”

Councillor John McGhee. Leader of the Labour Group, said: “Jimmy Boyd was a long standing member of the Labour Party, and he was a well-liked Councillor and Provost. Born and bred a Cumnock man and well respected in the community, Jimmy will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Councillor Tom Cook, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “Although I never worked directly with Past Provost Boyd, I had a connection with him through the Inter-Authority Bowling competitions which he still took part in even after his retiral. He was an enthusiastic and committed member of the team and it was a pleasure to have known him.”

Fiona Lees, Chief Executive of the Council said: “I am so sorry to learn of Jimmy’s death. I knew Jimmy firstly as a Strathclyde Regional Councillor, where he was a leading light on the Council’s General Purposes and Social Work Committees. It was Jimmy that the newly elected East Ayrshire Council turned to in 1995 to be the Chair of its Social Work Committee, a role he undertook with great understanding, knowledge and pride: staff and service users alike responded to his leadership and his contribution to the Social Work profession was respected nationally. At all times, Jimmy was grounded in his community and as Councillor and Provost, he endeared himself to so many, with his innate sense of fairness and compassion.”