Tributes paid to council’s deputy leader

Tributes have been paid to the deputy leader of Dudley Council, who has died following a short illness.

Cllr David Vickers died yesterday aged 73.

Flags at the council house and town hall in Dudley, as well as Dudley Castle, all flew at half-mast as a mark of respect for the man who served the borough as a councillor for 16 years.

The Halesowen-based councillor had served as deputy leader of the authority since 2017 having previously held cabinet positions for education and lifelong learning and health and wellbeing.

Cllr Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: “The news of David’s passing is extremely upsetting and something we are all still coming to terms with.

“David was one of the kindest and warmest people you could ever wish to meet and he will be missed by everyone. Our thoughts are with his partner Andrea and his daughter Giverny at this extremely difficult time.”

Cllr Anne Millward, Mayor of Dudley, said: “David was a tremendous servant to the council and to the borough and will be deeply missed by all.

“He is certainly one of those people and politicians hugely respected by both sides of the council chamber and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Cllr Qadar Zada, leader of the Dudley Labour group, said: “Our condolences go out to David’s family and colleagues on this sad day, we have suspended all political activities as we stand together to mourn the loss of David.

“David was a stalwart councillor who has been a prominent and much respected figure in the Dudley Chamber for as long as I can remember. He loved to serve the people of Dudley and will be dearly missed.”