A LIBRARY was renamed in honour of a long-time council leader who died last year.

Palmers Green Library is now known as Jeff Rodin House, in tribute to the councillor who dedicated 24 years of his life to Enfield Council.

His widow, Marion, officiated the ceremony unveiling a plaque praising her husband's "great distinction" as an activist.

Marion said: “To me Jeff was a much loved, and now missed, husband, father and grandfather, but I know that to his colleagues and many other people in Enfield he is remembered for being a conviction politician who worked tirelessly to transform the lives of so many people. He loved Enfield.

"I am incredibly proud to be officially proud to be officially naming this building ‘Jeff Rodin House’ which is an enduring memorial to an irreplaceable man.”

Politicians, friends and family also attended to pay tribute to the grandfather.

Mr Rodin was the leader of Enfield Council between 1994 and 1999 and was a long serving ward councillor, representing Bowes Ward for 24 years between 1986 and 2010.

He was born in 1950 and spent his childhood in Hackney and then Harrow. He studied Politics and Sociology at the University of Birmingham between 1968 – 1971 and while there became involved in a variety of political activities such as the Anti Apartheid Movement, and opposition to the Vietnam War.

Councillor Doug Taylor said: “Jeff Rodin was a highly influential figure who was dedicated to improving the lives of local people and creating a better Enfield. He will be fondly remembered by officers and councilors who worked with him during his time in office, and by many people in the borough.”

Jeff became a trustee of Enfield Citizens’ Advice Bureau (ECAB) in 2008 and was elected as Chair of the Trustees in 2010.

As well as his involvement with ECAB, Jeff was a volunteer driver, Trustee and Treasurer of Enfield Community Transport, a local charity, and a volunteer driver for another local charity, BEVAD.

He also did charity work for the national charity “Tax Help for Older People” and Enfield Over 50s’ Forum

Elected a member of Enfield Council in 1986 Mr Rodin represented Bowes Ward and was Leader of the Labour group from 1989 to 1994, and then again from 2005 to 2010.

Committed to many worthwhile causes he was Chair of Enfield Citizens Advice Bureau and treasurer of Enfield Community Transport during retirement, and volunteered f or Tax Help for Older People and Enfield Over 50s Forum.