Published: Thursday, 10th March 2022

Following the sad news of the death of Honorary Alderman Ted Baker yesterday, 9 March, the Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, and Chief Executive, Neil Davies, have paid tribute to Ted.

He was a real character

Cllr Alan Jarrett said: “Ted was a fantastic local councillor who was incredibly proud to represent his local community for so many years. His is a tremendous loss for both the council and the wider community and I know he will be dearly missed. Ted and I were both elected to Medway Unitary in 1997, and we became firm friends from that point on. He was a real character, never afraid to speak his mind. I shall miss his sense of humour and his honest and open approach to tackling difficult issues of the day. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Ted’s family and friends at this most difficult time.”

One of Medway's longest serving councillors

Chief Executive of Medway Council, Neil Davies, said: “We are all greatly saddened to learn of the death of Ted Baker. He was one of Medway’s longest serving councillors and will be greatly missed by the communities he represented and all of us at Medway Council. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends.”

Ted was one of Medway’s longest serving councillors. He was initially elected to Rochester Upon Medway Council between 1973 and 1976 and again between 1987 and 1991. He then served on Medway Council continuously between 1997 and 2015 representing St Margaret & Borstal and then Rochester West ward.

Ted served as Mayor of Medway in 2002/03 and again during 2011/12. He was also Deputy Mayor of Medway twice in 2000/01 and 2008/09 and was Deputy Mayor whilst serving on Rochester Council in 1990/91.

He served on a variety of committees and held a number of positions including Chairman of the School Transport Appeals committee between 2006 and 2010 and Employment Matters Committee in 2001. He was Vice-Chairman of the Regeneration and Development Committee in 2006 and Environment and Frontline Services between 2003 and 2005. Ted also served as a governor of Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematics School, was a trustee of the Rochester Grammar School and was on the MHS Charity Board and involved with the ABC Project in Borstal.

In recognition of Ted’s significant contribution to Medway he was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman in October 2015 at a special council meeting.

As a mark of respect, the union flag is flying at half-mast at Gun Wharf today (Thursday, 10 March).

News archive