Council pays tribute to former housing boss Slater

TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired North West local government officer who died last week in a climbing accident in the Himalayas.

Alan Slater, who retired last year from Cheshire West and Chester Council where he had been head of Strategic Housing and Spatial Planning.

The highly experienced and keen mountaineer was killed on Friday in a landslide after climbing Shetidhar. He was 67.

Mr Slater, from Walton, Liverpool, was  on a month-long expedition to the mountain range.
He spent the majority of his career at Liverpool City Council before joining Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2009.

He had climbed mountains across the world, including Kilimanjaro which he conquered in a fundraising effort last year with Cllr Alan McKie and their friend Ian Hamilton-Burke.

The trio – who nicknamed themselves ‘Three Old Men on a Mountain’ – achieved their aim to raise enough money to pay for an apprentice for Weaver Vale Housing Trust’s Independent Living Team.

Council chief executive Steve Robinson said: “Alan was greatly liked and admired by friends and colleagues. His death has come as a tremendous shock.

“He was a leader who was admired for his energy, passion and an enthusiasm that was infectious. He was loved by so many and he will be greatly missed.”

Council leader Mike Jones said: “Alan played a key role within Cheshire West and Chester Council from its inception, making a tremendous contribution by helping to bring together three separate housing departments.

“He was a very popular figure in the Council. Many staff will recall his incredible fundraising effort in conquering Mount Kilimanjaro.

“Our thoughts are with Alan’s wife and family at this very sad time.”

Two Indian climbers were also killed in the accident. Mr Salter was married with one son. He leaves four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.