Tributes paid as deputy leader of Dudley Council dies, aged 73

The Halesowen South councillor and former policeman died following a short illness.

Flags at the council house and town hall in Dudley were flying at half-mast on Monday as a mark of respect for Councillor Vickers, who served the borough as a councillor for 16 years.

Councillor Vickers had served as deputy leader of the authority since 2017, having previously held cabinet positions for education and lifelong learning, and health and wellbeing.

Councillor 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."

Dudley Mayor Anne Millward 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."

A committed Christian and retired police officer, Councillor Vickers had served in the ward of Halesowen South and was a well-known member of the community.

Councillor Vickers also fought to keep the green belt from being developed around Halesowen and often posted on social media about enjoying walking around the countryside.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris praised Councillor Vickers commitment to Halesowen.

He said: "I was saddened to hear this morning that Councillor David Vickers had passed away. I’ve known him for nearly 14 years, and ever since I was first selected as a Parliamentary candidate in Halesowen and Rowley Regis he was a great and loyal support to me.

"He worked tirelessly for Halesowen South and for the Dudley borough as a whole, a deeply committed public servant following his career on the Police Service.

"During his ill health over the last year he still continued to work as hard as he could to support the community he loved representing. We worked together on projects such as supporting the Leasowes Walled Garden and protecting Halesowen’s Green Belt land."

Northfield Conservative MP Gary Sambrook said: "Really sad to learn of the death of David Vickers. He was one of the first people I met when I started working in Halesowen as a campaign manager.

"He would be the person I’d call to help sort out a problem, to find out some local information and to ask for advice when I joined."

He added: "He was a dedicated campaigner for the greenbelt, a proper Halesowen man and committed councillor. He understood civic life well, local politics and how to help communities. He will be very sadly missed."