'We all miss Darren but his legacy will live on': Tributes paid to former leader at Sandwell Council meeting

Those the words that echoed around the Sandwell Council chamber as members paid tribute to popular former leader Darren Cooper at the first full council meeting since his sudden death.

An emotional session was dedicated almost entirely to Councillor Cooper, with several councillors honouring their former leader, who was dubbed 'Mr Sandwell'.

His deputy and friend Councillor Steve Eling, who is now acting leader, delivered a rousing speech in which he pledged to continue the work that was done under his leadership.

Tributes have poured in for the married father-of-three, who had been leader of the Labour-controlled authority since 2009 and a councillor for 25 years, following his sudden death last month at the age of just 52. A civic memorial event will be held in his honour at West Bromwich Town Hall on Friday, April 22. He was a passionate Baggies fan and a familiar face at the Hawthorns. He had been touted as a future MP as well as a possibility for the role of the West Midlands' first metro mayor.

And Councillor Eling told members: "The loss of Darren at the age of just 52 is a tragedy for his wife and family. It is a terrible loss of a friend and colleague to myself and people around the council chamber.

"It is a massive loss and it is a challenge for somebody else to pick up and do what Darren has done over the years. As leader of the council he has taken us through the most difficult time in history, other than wartime, for local government. The cuts from 2010 are the most severe that have been imposed on local government and to carry the council through that as leader is an incredible task.

"We all miss Darren but his legacy will live on. The team he put together in Sandwell is still here and we will continue to deliver the project and take it forward as if he was still here."

Mayor Barbara Price wiped away tears as members spoke fondly of Councillor Cooper, recounting tales from over the years spent as a councillor.

Councillor Price, who led the meeting at Sandwell Council House in Oldbury, said the council as a whole was still in shock.

"It's been a devastating blow to everybody," she said. "It just hurts at the moment."

Councillor Paul Sandars said the authority now has an 'enormous hole' to fill following the loss of the popular leader.

He said: "He was the salt of the earth, a Black Country lad made good. People have said he almost certainly would have been an MP and maybe higher than an MP. He was one of us. He was a friend."

Others spoke of his warm personality and famous sense of humour.

Councillor Peter Hughes said: "I shall never forget that cheeky grin and the winks he used to give me. I was 10 years his elder but he was a mentor to me."

Councillor Maria Crompton said: "The mark of a man is the number of people you touch and Darren touched a large number of people. He was my friend, I love him and miss him."