He died unexpectedly on 22 August.
At the full meeting of Kent County Council (KCC), colleagues said they had been left shocked and deeply saddened by the news, remembering a dedicated public servant, a community champion and someone who always made sure you had a lift home, whatever your political colours.
After a distinguished 35-year career in the fire service, he committed his time and energies to representing his community at town, parish, borough and county levels.
He was in his third term at KCC as an independent councillor, representing his division for 11 years, and also brought his knowledge and experience to the work of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority.
Warm tributes came from across the Council Chamber and the political divide.
The Green Party’s Cllr Mark Hood said: “His lifelong commitment to public safety and service was clear in everything he did. His legacy of service and kindness will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
The Liberal Democrats’ Ian Chittenden, speaking for himself and colleague Mike Sole, said: “It was clear he cared passionately for Swanscombe and Greenhithe and those who lived there. Peter was friendly face, a gentleman and a true community champion who will be missed by those he represented.”
Labour’s Cllr Kelly Grehan said: “Peter was a very kind and thoughtful man. My overwhelming memory is that he would always make sure everybody had a lift home, he didn’t care what party you were or what arguments you had had that day, he wanted to make sure that you would get home safely.
“It’s a shame he won’t be here for when we finally fix Galley Hill Road (closed in Swanscombe after a landslide) as I don’t think I saw him at all in the last year where he didn’t mention Galley Hill. We were lucky to know him.”
Leader of KCC Roger Gough said: “He was fair-minded and realistic. No where was this seen more clearly than with the issue already mentioned, at Galley Hill. He tirelessly and rightly pressed us and government for action but he never in that process scored cheap points. He was an absolutely relentless champion of his community. He was someone who brought something very special to this council and this chamber.”
The Conservatives’ Jeremy Kite, from neighbouring Dartford, said: “Peter wasn’t interested in the major parties nor being tribal in that way. He said it could get awkward and that he would get criticised by one side and lambasted by the other but that he always remembered he was a local representative of people who care as little about the parties as he did. He was right of course and slept easy at night.
“He won’t be looking down on our tributes today, he’ll be looking down on the visit by the Minister of the Future of Roads to Galley Hill.”
Cllr Harman served on the Corporate Parenting Panel, the Regulation Committee, the Planning Applications Committee and the Health Reform and Public Health Cabinet Committee.
The meeting heard about Mr Harman’s dedication to his wife Jo, two daughters and two granddaughters and about his love of travel and the fact he had visited more than 150 countries.
Further personal tributes were made at the meeting to Peter Morgan, who has also passed away. The retired teacher and former mayor of Swale served as Chairman of the council in 1996. A formal motion of condolence was agreed by Council and a minute’s silence was observed for both Peter Harman and Peter Morgan.
