Key Points
- Hounslow Council has announced the death of former councillor Colin Ellar, who was 75.
- Ellar served as a Labour councillor for Feltham Central, Hanworth Park and Hounslow Heath across three separate periods.
- He held some of the borough’s most senior roles, including deputy leader, leader and mayor of Hounslow.
- He died in Italy on Friday 17 July 2026, surrounded by his family, including his wife Yvonne and son Jason Ellar.
- A tribute will be paid at borough council on 21 July 2026, and a black ribbon has been placed on the council flag.
Hounslow (West London News) July 22, 2026 – Hounslow Council has announced the death of former councillor Colin Ellar, a long-serving Labour politician who served as leader, deputy leader and mayor of the borough, and tributes are due to be paid at the council meeting this evening.
What did Hounslow Council say about Colin Ellar?
Hounslow Council said Ellar “served residents for almost two decades” and described his contribution to the borough as significant across public service, civic life and local government. The council confirmed that he died in Italy on Friday 17 July 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 75 years old.
Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, the Leader of Hounslow Council, said the authority learned of Ellar’s passing “with great sadness” and paid tribute to his
“commitment to public service, strong sense of community and passion for local government.”
Rajawat also said Ellar would be remembered for his intellect, wit and broad interests, including politics, languages, music, football and Italy.
Which roles did Colin Ellar hold on Hounslow Council?
Ellar served as a Labour councillor for Feltham Central from 1998 to 2002, Hanworth Park from 2002 to 2006, and Hounslow Heath from 2010 to 2018.
During that period he served as deputy leader from 2002 to 2004, leader from 2004 to 2006, and deputy leader again from 2012 to 2014. He was also mayor of Hounslow in 2010/11.
The council said he sat on a wide range of committees and boards, including the Central Hounslow Area Committee, West Area Committee, Audit Committee, Affordable Housing Committee, Standards Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, Complaints Committee, Community Safety Partnership Board and the Confidential Cases Sub-Committee. He also chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and served on the Local Strategic Partnership Board, Hounslow Together.
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What was known about his life beyond politics?
Hounslow Council said Ellar was born in Paddington and raised in County Durham. It said he had a strong passion for Italy and the Italian language, and after retiring from public life in 2018 he spent much of his time in Italy.
The council also noted that he had worked as an English teacher and translator and had spent several years living in Amsterdam during the 1990s.
Before entering politics, Ellar had a musical career, playing bass guitar with Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band in the 1960s and later with the jazz progressive group Armada in the 1970s. The council’s statement also described him as a devoted football supporter.
How are the council and family marking the death?
Hounslow Council said the tribute to Ellar will be paid at borough council on the evening of 21 July 2026. It also said a black ribbon has been placed on the council flag in his memory. The council statement named his wife Yvonne and son Jason Ellar among those with him at the time of his death.
What is the background to this development?
Colin Ellar was part of a long tradition of local political service in Hounslow and held office across multiple council administrations over two decades.
His career combined electoral representation, executive leadership and committee work, which made him a familiar figure in the borough’s civic life. The current announcement follows the council’s formal tribute and public acknowledgement of his death.
What could this mean for local residents?
For Hounslow residents, the immediate impact is largely civic and commemorative, with the council publicly recognising the loss of a former senior figure. For people who served with him or worked in local politics, the tribute may prompt reflection on his years in office and his influence on borough decision-making.
The council’s public remembrance may also resonate with residents who remember his time as a ward councillor, mayor or council leader.
