Tributes have been paid to a much respected Cheshire East councillor who sadly passed away.

Cllr Les Gilbert, who represented Dane Valley, had been a Conservative member of Cheshire East since the authority was created in 2009 and was re-elected in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

Chief executive Dr Lorraine O'Donnell said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of Cllr Les Gilbert's death, on Tuesday, April 18.

"My deepest sympathies, and the condolences of the whole council, go out to his partner, Glynis Nicholls, and their grieving family.

"Les was passionate about serving the community and had represented Dane Valley ward with great dedication for more than 14 years. He served notably as a cabinet member for communities under a previous Conservative administration.

"He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and the whole community."

Cllr Gilbert sat on several council committees over the years.

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These included licensing; appeals, where he had been vice chair; southern planning, where he had also been vice chair; environment and prosperity overview; scrutiny, which he had also chaired; and public rights of way.

He also served on the board of Tatton Park and was a member of the Brighter Future Members' Forum.

The flag at half-mast at Macclesfield Town Hall, Market Place.

Cllr Gilbert was also a member of Cranage Parish Council.

Conservative group leader Janet Clowes told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It was with both shock and deep sadness that we heard of Cllr Gilbert's sudden passing. He was a dedicated and long-serving public servant and a deeply admired and respected colleague. He understood the needs of his constituency and had a built a successful working partnership with his ward colleague, Cllr Andrew Kolker.

"Although Cllr Gilbert had decided to retire from local government, he continued to bring forward important policy initiatives including the reduction of air pollution around schools. His experience, dedication and dry humour will be very much missed.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his partner, Glynis, and his family at this sad time."

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