The Mayor of Eastbourne from May 2000 to May 2001 was Councillor Michael Tunwell.
Ward: Ratton
Party: Conservative
Archived Biography from May 2000
Michael Tunwell was born in Eastbourne on 9th May 1929. Educated locally at Holy Trinity Infants, All Souls Junior and EastbourneGrammar Schools - evacuated to Hitchin 1940/1942.
Two years National Service with Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1947/49. Four years Territorial Army service with 258 LAA Regt., Royal Artillery 1949/53.
Married on 23rd February 1952. Wife's name Joan (nee Croad), one daughter, Susan and two sons, Peter and Christopher; three granddaughters, Sarah, Emma and Lucy.
Joined family contract cleaning company on leaving school, took over from father and continued in partnership with wife until sale of business in December 1980.
Political Career
Elected to the former EastbourneCounty Borough Council in July 1972 at the by-election in Central Ward. Served until 31st March 1974, when Council was dissolved upon the reorganisation of local government.
In June 1973 stood for election in Devonshire Ward for the new Borough Council, but was not elected.
On 13th March 1975 was elected to EastSussexCounty Council at a by-election in the Eastbourne No. 2 (Central) Division and has served continuously to date, being re-elected in 1977, 1981 and following boundary changes, for Eastbourne Woodlands Division in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 1997.
In May 1976, elected to Eastbourne Borough Council for the Devonshire Ward, being re-elected in 1978 and 1982. Lost the seat in May 1986 by 10 votes. Re-elected to Eastbourne Borough Council in May 1988, for the Ratton Ward with over 1,000 majority. Re-elected in 1992, 1996 and in May 2000 with a majority of 1186.
Has been Leader of both Borough Council and of the County Council and has chaired many committees.
Other Bodies
Served on Sussex Police Authority from 1982 and retired as Vice-Chairman in May 1999 on reaching the statutory age limit of 70.
At Regional and National level has served on bodies such as the Local Government Association, Association of County Councils, and South East Employers Organisation and the National Employers Organisation.
An LEA Governor of The CavendishSchool and RattonSchool, from September 1985 to date, and a member of the University of Sussex Court.
Leisure Interests
Enjoys listening to classical music and has keen interest in computing and amateur photography. Likes watching cricket, and enjoys gardening in small doses.
This page is an archived biography of a previous Mayor of Eastbourne. To find out more about Eastbourne's current Mayor please browse our web pages or contact the Mayor's Office.
