It is with great sadness to announce the death of Cllr Alison Todd (formally Griffiths), after bravely battling cancer.

Alison, 47, was a dedicated County and Borough Councillor for several years. She was a staunch advocate for the residents of Sunbury & Ashford Common and her death will come as a bitter blow to her community.

Tributes have poured in from colleagues across both councils and the local community, describing Alison’s kindness, passion and dedication to local residents.

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Alison was a public servant in the truest sense. She was committed to her local community and making people’s lives better. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and was never shy in speaking up and demonstrating her real passion for what she believed in. We are devastated to lose her, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”

Cllr John Boughtflower, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: “Alison was a loyal friend of Spelthorne Borough Council and served on the Spelthorne Joint Committee. She always wanted to make things better for our residents and continued to work as a dedicated county councillor for her residents until her untimely death. She will be very sadly missed, and my thoughts are with her friends and family at this devastating time.”

Alison joined Surrey County Council in 2017. During her time as a councillor, she served as Deputy Cabinet Member for Health between May 2019 and May 2021; prior to that she was the Deputy Cabinet Member for All-Age learning from May 2018 to April 2019.

She was also a Spelthorne Borough Councillor in the Sunbury Common ward between 2015 and 2019.

Alison left behind four children, five grandchildren and devoted husband.

As a mark of respect, the flag outside both Council Offices was lowered to half-mast on Thursday 22 September.