HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a dedicated Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor who has died.

Councillor Ann Shackleton passed away on Wednesday (November 16).

The 78-year-old had served as a Labour councillor in the Cradley Heath and Old Hill ward for 18 years, since being elected in 2004.

Locally she had been a member of the Friends of Haden Hill House and Park, Friends of Mary Macarthur Gardens and was actively involved in achieving the Asset of Community Value Status for the Haden Cross Pub to defeat proposals to build a supermarket and houses on the car park.

Sandwell Council Leader, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, said: “Ann has always been a special person willing to help the residents of Cradley Health and Old Hill.

"She treated the residents more like friends rather than her constituents and nothing was ever too much trouble. "She was a role model for women in politics and personally taught me a lot."

A teacher by profession, Ann was head teacher of Corbett Primary School, Smethwick before becoming a councillor in 2004.

She championed the work of the Cradley Heath’s women chainmakers and helped commission the statue of 1910 strike leader Mary Macarthur.

Former headteacher and Halesowen North Councillor Hilary Bills was a close friend.

She said: "Ann was a highly respected headteacher and when she went into politics.

"She had a few rough rides in the party but did everything with dignity and people trusted her.

"Her community knew she would listen and do her best for them."

She had been Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board since 2020, and had previously been the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care from 2016-2019, Chair of Rowley Regis Town Scrutiny Panel from 2012-2013 and Deputy Mayor in 2011-2012.

Councillor Shackleton had been suffering with cancer before she died. She is survived by her husband Mike, a son and daughter, and four grandchildren.