A Conservative councillor has died two days after handing in his letter of resignation from Kingston Council, writes Martin George.

James White, who represented Coombe Vale ward, died of natural causes on November 8.

A chartered accountant, Mr White brought his expertise to both the council’s audit committee and pension fund panel.

He also became co-chairman of the Maldens and Coombe neighbourhood committee in May 2011, after serving as vice chairman for a year.

His job took him to the former Soviet Union and eastern bloc countries, and he had also been the managing director of Xerox Africa.

Mr White was first elected to represent Coombe Vale in 2006 with a majority of 568 in a year that saw the Conservatives achieve a clean sweep in the previously split ward.

He was re-elected for a second term last year, with a reduced majority of 79.

He attended his last council meeting, of the audit committee, on September 28, and colleagues on both sides of the political divide are expected to pay tribute to him at the next full council meeting on Tuesday, December 6.

A Kingston resident for nearly 40 years, Mr White lived in Coombe with his wife, and had one daughter, who also lives in the borough.