TRIBUTES have been paid to a former council cabinet member who became the last mayor of Blaenau Gwent.
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council on Wednesday, September 16, presiding member Cllr Chris Smith (Labour – Beaufort) announced that former councillor Barrie Sutton had passed away.
Cllr Smith went on to read out a tribute to Mr Sutton from council leader Cllr Steve Thomas (Labour – Tredegar) who was absent from the meeting.
Cllr Thomas said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and fellow councillor Barrie Sutton.
“I had the privilege of serving with Barrie on Blaenau Gwent council for 18 years and during that time we went through some difficult periods together, particularly the austerity years.
“Barrie worked closely with me when the council had some of the toughest decisions we ever had to make.
“Barrie was an absolute gentleman, he was thoughtful, dependable and totally committed to the people of Brynmawr and to Blaenau Gwent as a whole.
“In 2017, Barrie became Blaenau Gwent’s last mayor and carried out the role with great dignity, warmth and pride.
“He had an extremely successful year and represented the borough in the way those of us who knew him would have expected.”
Cllr Thomas continued: “Barrie was a Labour Party stalwart with many years of loyal service.
“His commitment to public service and the Labour movement was unwavering, and I will remember Barrie as a good friend and someone it was a privilege to serve alongside.
Cllr Thomas added that he would be “greatly missed.”
Cllr Smith said: “I totally concur with Steve’s thoughts there.”
Leader of the opposition Independent group Cllr Wayne Hodgins (Brynmawr) said: “I served with Barrie initially on the (Brynmawr) town council.
“Regardless of the differences of opinion, he was always very courteous to me.
“He was very knowledgeable and there to give a guiding hand and advice.
“I had a lot of respect for Barrie; he was a great councillor.”
Councillors also paid their respects to Cllr Malcolm Day’s wife Gill, and former council worker Peter Nicholls, who have also passed away.
