Dennis Tranah – a tribute
Council mourns the passing of its first Chief Executive
The Council was very sad to learn of the recent passing of Dennis Tranah, Eastleigh Borough Council’s first Chief Executive.
Dennis, who would have turned 100 in June, started work as Deputy Town Clerk for Eastleigh Urban District Council in 1954 and was Town Clerk from 1966 until the re-organisation of local government in 1974, when he became the first Chief Executive of the newly formed Eastleigh Borough Council.
As Chief Executive Dennis encouraged the diversification of industry and initiatives to bring new companies to the area. He also helped to implement major improvements to the Airport and Eastleigh Town Centre. He retired in 1985.
The authority's current Chief Executive, James Strachan, paid tribute to his predecessor. He said: "Dennis had a distinguished career in local government and was a great servant to the people of Eastleigh; he was awarded Freedom of the Borough in 1986 in recognition of his years of service. He will be fondly remembered and his family can be proud of his legacy.”