TRIBUTES have been paid to a “striking and formidable” former council chief executive who has died.

Robin Beechey was just 36 when he was appointed to run East Sussex County Council in 1973.

He remained in the post for more than 20 years until 1994 and played a key part in modernising the council as it went through major changes.

Adam Trimingham was working as a reporter at The Argus during the 1970s and 80s covering politics.

He said: “Robin was a very striking man. He had grey hair swept back like a lion and was not like your average local government officer – he was much more fierce.

“He appointed a strong team of council officers to be in charge of things like roads and education as the county council took over a lot of powers from the districts.

“Another thing he had to deal with early on was the child abuse scandal of Maria Colwell, who was killed by her stepfather in Brighton in 1973.

“There was a big inquiry and Robin had to defend the council.

“He was a formidable and efficient official who did not suffer fools gladly.”

After a local government review, in 1974 the district councils – or county boroughs as they were then known – of Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings were abolished and East Sussex County Council took over a lot of their duties.

At the same time it lost Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath to West Sussex.

Former councillor and leader of the Tory party Geoffrey Theobald said: “Robin was one of the youngest council chiefs in the country.

“He was a very intelligent man and had a degree in jurisprudence from Oxford.

“We were doing big things in those days under Robin.

“Places like Hastings had not had much investment and we wanted to level it up.

“I was chairman of the highways committee and my pride and joy was going up to the House of Commons with Robin to argue for the building of the Cuilfail Tunnel in Lewes.

“We also got rid of grammar schools and built a new swing bridge in Newhaven, the Bexhill bypass and the Uckfield bypass. It was a very productive council with some outstanding councillors.”

Mr Beechey was 83 and living in America with his wife – the couple moved there in the 1990s.

Becky Shaw, chief executive of East Sussex County Council, said: “Robin guided the council through a period of enormous change, including significant boundary changes and the transfer of powers.

“He was a strong and determined character, who always strived to deliver the best for the county council and for East Sussex as a whole.

“We were very sorry to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”