Tributes paid to ex-councillor Toni Dutton, 97

The funeral takes place tomorrow (Wednesday, January 29) of long-serving former Norfolk County councillor, Joan Dutton, who has died at the age of 97.

Mrs Dutton, who was always known as Toni, served as mayoress when her husband, Leslie, was borough mayor.

Former boroughcouncil leader and borough mayor, Nick Daubney, paid tribute to Mrs Dutton and her work as a Conservative county councillor from 1977 until 1997.

He said Mrs Dutton, who represented the Woottons and Grimston on the county council, was a “conscientious and hard-working councillor” who took her role very seriously.

Mr Daubney said Toni, together with her husband, made a “dynamic duo” in their respective local government roles and were both well-known in West Norfolk.

“Toni always took an interest in people and was active within the North West Norfolk Conservative Association,” he said.

Mr Daubney said he also had links with Mrs Dutton in her working life when she worked for Mr Daubney’s father, the late Les Daubney, in his firm, Standard Capital Finance, when it was based in offices in Norfolk Street, Lynn.

Former borough civics officer, Penny Harrison, knew Toni Dutton for over 30 years and worked with her, particularly when she was mayoress.

“She threw herself into the role ofmayoress with great enthusiasm , working hard to support her husband, Leslie, who was mayor in 1988/89,” said Mrs Harrison.

Mrs Harrison said that Toni was extremely keen to encourage young people to reach their potential and she and Leslie took every opportunity to do this during their term of office.

As a county councillor, she often told Mrs Harrison how, once a problem arose amongst the people living in her ward she “would let it go until she could find a solution”.

During her time on the county council Mrs Dutton served as chair of the joint museums committee and was also chair of the libraries and recreation committee.

Mrs Dutton was at one time involved in the Eastern Region Tourism Board. She also took a particular interest in the work of special needs schools and served as governor of the former Ethel Tipple School, in Lynn.

Her husband, Major Leslie Dutton, who died in February 2009 aged 91, was well-known as the chairman for several years of the then borough leisure committee. The Dutton Pavilion on the Lynnsport sports field, is named after him.

Mrs Dutton, who died on January 15 at her South Wootton home, is survived by two grown-up children, Sally and Nick, grandchildren Thomas, Michael and Matthew and a great-granddaughter, Hattie.

Mrs Dutton’s funeral is to be held tomorrow at 10.30am, at St Mary’s Church, South Wootton.