TRIBUTES have been paid to stalwart Kinver councillor Brian Edwards - leader of South Staffordshire Council - who has passed away after a short illness.

Cllr Edwards, who was also a Kinver parish councillor and a former Staffordshire county councillor, died on Friday August 13 at the age of 81.

Colleagues in local and national government have today (Monday) been paying tribute to the busy councillor and businessman - describing him as "a great public servant" who will be "much-missed".

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson, the government's Education Secretary, said he was "so sorry to hear the news about Brian’s passing" - adding: "He was an incredible public servant and worked tirelessly for Staffordshire over so many decades. He was passionate about the area and utterly dedicated to the local community.

"He will be very much missed by us all and my thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very sad time.”

Councillor Roger Lees, deputy leader of South Staffordshire Council, said: “Brian was incredibly proud of South Staffordshire Council and all that we achieved together over the years. He was an exemplary leader and will be missed by all. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife Barbara and all his family during this desperately sad time.”

Chief executive, Dave Heywood, added: “Brian was an inspirational leader. He was fair, honest and generous with his time, always there to give advice, support and guidance. He was a true gentleman and we will all miss him dearly.”

Cllr Edwards became a member of the South Staffordshire Council in May 1983 and served as chairman between 1993 and 1994, before becoming leader in 2005.

His leadership was recognised at a national level in 2013 when he was awarded the Local Government Information Unit Councillor Achievement Award and he subsequently accepted awards on behalf of South Staffordshire Council for the i54 South Staffordshire Business Enterprise Park.

Last year, he received further national awards recognising the council’s ongoing transformation programme.

His proudest moment, however, came when he was awarded an MBE for services to the community in 2015.

As well as being leader of South Staffordshire Council and a member of Kinver Parish Council, Cllr Edwards was a Staffordshire County Council member, representing Kinver, from 1989 to 2017.

Alan White, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: "We’re all devastated with the incredibly sad news of the death of Cllr Edwards on Friday.

“Brian achieved many great things for the people of South Staffordshire and the county and was a great public servant. He'll be sadly missed by his colleagues and friends. His work was recognised in 2015 when he was awarded an MBE for his work to local government and communities, a fitting honour for everything he did.

"Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Brian’s family at this sad time.”

Councillor Victoria Wilson said Cllr Edwards had been her mentor when she became a county councillor for Kinver in 2017 and she added: "He showed me the ropes and never stopped supporting me. It's a tragic loss for me, for Kinver and the community. He'll be sorely missed."

As well as his council work - Cllr Edwards was also involved with many charitable organisations including being an active member of the Rotary Club, the Royal British Legion and a Fiduciary of Oldswinford Hospital School.

Funeral details will be announced on South Staffordshire Council’s website sstaffs.gov.uk.