COVENTRY City Council has paid tribute to Sherbourne councillor Seamus Walsh, who passed away over the weekend.
Coun Walsh has served Sherbourne as a Labour councillor since 2010 and was re-elected in May, the fourth time he had won the seat.
The council house will fly its flag at half-mast today as a tribute to Coun Walsh.
He came from a family of politicians, with his father James “Jimmy” Walsh and his brother Patrick being former Labour councillors.
His service included being on the Planning and Licensing and Regulatory Committees and he was a member of many Scrutiny Boards.
The 70-year-old has been chair of the ethics committee since 2016 and was a member of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority.
Council leader Coun George Duggins led the tributes to his colleague and friend, describing him as an “honourable and principled man.”
“He had battled illness for some time, but he did so with strength and humility and always had time for the constituents he served.
“My thoughts are with his family, including his beloved children and grandchildren, and friends at this terrible time.”
Leader of the council Conservative group Coun Gary Ridley represented Sherbourne alongside Coun Walsh between 2010 and 2012.
Coun Ridley added: “We had an excellent working relationship despite our political differences, and it was obvious he cared about the community.
“On a personal level I always enjoyed speaking to him, so this news is very sad all round – especially coming so soon after the passing of another of our colleagues.”
