TRIBUTES have flooded in for a passionate councillor who died unexpectedly less than a week after he was re-elected to represent Cradley and Wollescote.

Richard Body, who was in his late 50s, died suddenly on Tuesday, May 9 leaving behind his wife, two children and grandchildren.

Dudley Labour leader, Cllr Qadar Zada said the news has sent ‘shock waves across the political spectrum’.

Richard’s friend and fellow councillor have described their sadness following his death after he served as a councillor for almost 20 years.

Cllr Zada said: “Richard was a unique character who brought a different perspective to the Labour Group.

“He was ingrained within his community with the work he did with the Friends group, his battle against greenbelt development and more recently, the campaign to save Cradley Library.

Halesowen News: Richard Body, Cllr Tim Crumpton and Cllr Qadar Zada during this year's campaign trail.Richard Body, Cllr Tim Crumpton and Cllr Qadar Zada during this year's campaign trail. (Image: Dudley Labour.)

“He shared publicly his journey to fitness and despite having two mechanical knees he walked the length and breadth of the ward to secure an extraordinary victory.

“I spent many hours with him on the run up to the election and I saw the love that the community had for him.

“Me and my colleagues will miss him dearly.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, children and grandchildren.”

Richard’s fellow ward councillor Tim Crumpton said he wasn’t ‘just a colleague, he was a dear friend and almost one of the family’.

Halesowen News: Richard Body ran 100 miles in 2019 to help raise funds for the Cradley Clock.Richard Body ran 100 miles in 2019 to help raise funds for the Cradley Clock. (Image: Richard Body.)

“He was intensely passionate about the area he represented, which he was born in and lived in all his life and he was incredibly proud of that,” said Cllr Crumpton.

“I and others will really miss him.”

Richard was re-elected to serve Cradley and Wollescote once again on May 4 polling 1,061 votes.

Sue Greenaway, the mayor of Dudley, said: “I was very saddened to hear of Councillor Body’s sudden passing, which has come as a great shock to everyone on the council.

“Richard served nearly 20 years as a councillor and was voted back in by the people of Cradley and Wollescote at the election last week.

“He was liked and respected on both sides of the council chamber, and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Halesowen News: Richard took part in many fundraising activities.Richard took part in many fundraising activities. (Image: Richard Body.)

Richard was first elected in 2004 and was the chairman of the Dudley Taxis committee from 2012 to 2018.

Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association said during Richard’s years as committee chairman he gave drivers a platform to speak and be heard.

Imran Shafiq, chairman of DPHTA, said: "It's a very sad and shocking loss, he was instrumental in restoring driver’s faith and he built bridges supporting the drivers.

“Many of our members live in his ward, by far he was the best local councillor who was always there for his residents."

Richard, acting as the chairman of the Friends of Homer Hill Park group was in the process of fundraising to build the first track for cycles, scooters and skateboards in Stourbridge or Halesowen.

As part of the fundraising efforts, on August 26 Richard was set to cycle 121 miles from Aberystwyth back to Cradley and Wollescote.