Tim Oliver, rest in peace. Labour leader for 12 years. Walsall has lost a great man. Image from the Walsall Advertiser.

I’ve just picked up from Social Media and the Pheseay Park Farm Labour Party blog thet Walsall Labour group Leader and Coucillor for Birchills-Leamore has sadly passed away following a period of illness. My condolences, and I’m sure those of readers, go out to the Oliver family, friends and party comrades.

There is an excellent and touching tribute on the Walsall Labour Party website here.

Tim had been leader of the Walsall Labour Party for 12 years, and had steered the party through some difficult times early on with calm professionalism and a good sense of political responsibility. He was a loyal citizen, public servant to his town and a honest, true and loyal party man.

I may not always have agreed with him, but I always respected his integrity. A good, kind and decent man.

Tim will be sadly missed on all sides of Walsall Council. Even his opponents have been notable in their tributes.

Walsall is the poorer for Tim’s passing. Again, my condolences and sympathies.

Sad to hear about Tim Oliver, a nice chap whenever I had dealings with him.

— Matt Lloyd (@mwl462) May 24, 2014

Very saddened to hear the death of a long time friend Cllr. Tim Oliver, leader of Labour in Walsall. Played cricket with & against him.

— Mohammed Arif (@FrmrCllrMArif) May 24, 2014

Cllr. Oliver passing away is a big loss for Walsall & the Labour party. Poltically opposite but shared passion making Walsall a better place

— Mohammed Arif (@FrmrCllrMArif) May 24, 2014

Walsall's Labour leader Tim Oliver has passed away. Yesterday his party was celebrating after gaining half the seats on the council

— Daniel Wainwright (@danwainwright) May 24, 2014

Just heard that Tim Oliver, our Labour leader in Walsall, has passed away. Awful news. RIP Tim 🙁

— Anja Illmann-Walker (@AnjaIllmann) May 24, 2014

Condolences to our colleagues @WalsallCouncil after the news that their Labour Leader Cllr Tim Oliver has passed away.

— Wolves Council (@WolvesCouncil) May 24, 2014

@wainwright_star. RIP Tim Oliver. Condolences to family, friends and colleagues

— Town swift (@wellings351) May 24, 2014