Kenneth Hounsome

KENNETH (Ken) Hounsome spent a lifetime in local government and became one of the most respected people in his profession nationwide. At one point when he was in his 30s, he was the youngest county council treasurer in the country.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Nov 2012, 06:00 BST

He spent 17 years as county treasurer for North Riding County Council, and its successor authority, North Yorkshire County Council, before he retired in 1987.

Mr Hounsome, who was 87, trained and served as a navigator- bomber aimer during the Second World War.

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He went on to spend his early career in Godalming working for the local authority in its finance department, and promotion
saw him in a key position
 with Hertfordshire County Council before he moved to Kesteven County Council 
where he had the distinction of being the youngest county treasurer in the country at the age of 37.

His skills and professionalism earned him the position of President of the Society of
County Treasurers in the mid-1970s.

Mr Hounsome, who lived in Northallerton, held many positions in retirement, including chairman of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, and was also a Scout leader, school governor, and served on the board of Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital.

He was a former captain of Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club and prominent member of the Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club.

Pre-deceased by his wife Joan, Mr Hounsome is survived by two sons Ian and Keir.

Related topics:Hertfordshire County CouncilNorth Yorkshire County CouncilNorthallerton