Tributes have been paid to Councillor Bob Lloyd’s life-long commitment to the people of Wednesbury, Tipton and Sandwell after he died suddenly over the weekend.

Councillor Lloyd was Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for inclusive economic growth and represented Wednesbury South ward.

He died on Saturday at his home in Princes End, Tipton. He was aged 58 and had two children and a grandchild.

Councillor Lloyd was known for his work in a voluntary capacity for local groups, especially in the health and housing areas, for more than three decades. Councillor Yvonne Davies, Leader of Sandwell Council, said:

“Bob was known as an exceptionally-committed environmental volunteer who worked tirelessly for his local communities in Tipton and Wednesbury. 

"He was the long-time chairman of the highly-successful Litter Watch team and was involved in many other local projects, especially involving housing and health issues. He had given more than 30 years of service to local people. 

"In the time he was cabinet member, Bob has been a driving force behind the inclusive growth priorities. He was at the forefront of all our ambitious plans, taking a particular interest and lead in spearheading support for our vital plans to improve our town centre high streets. 

“We will all miss Bob – as a true friend, a supportive council colleague and for his life-long work to improve the lives of the people in his local area.”

Councillor Lloyd was employed by the Boscobel Tenant Management Organisation and was previously a board member of the Murray Hall Community Trust at Tipton.

He had also been a non-executive member of the Sandwell and Dudley Primary Care Trust and the former Sandwell Primary Care Trust, and worked with the Tipton Action Group, Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations and the Sandwell Housing and Resettlement Project; as well as the Greets Green Partnership. Councillor Ian Jones, town lead for Tipton, said:

“I have known Bob for many, many years and always respected his desire to help people and to work as a volunteer for so many organisations. His work on Litter Watch has been phenomenal.

“He was a popular member of the council, incredibly supportive and I know he was enjoying his work as a cabinet member because he was working on so many interesting projects with council colleagues."