Popular councillor had a passion for Oldham

TRIBUTES: Councillor Dilys Fletcher

TRIBUTES have been paid to Councillor Dilys Fletcher who died on Friday.

The mother-of-five and grandmother-of-six, believed to be in her late seventies, was awarded the MBE in 1996 for her outstanding services to deprived communities and social housing.

Councillor Fletcher, of Kirkfell Walk, Oldham, represented Chadderton South for Labour from 2004 to 2006 and Alexandra from 2008.

Her career spanned local mill work to Audit Commission tenants’ inspector from 1998-2006. She had served as chairman of the Higginshaw Village Estate management board for almost a decade from 1992, helping to spearhead improvements to hundreds of homes.

As a councillor she sat on many committees and outside bodies, many relating to her passions — education, local history, the working poor, social housing and fighting ageism among them.

Oldham council leader Jim McMahon said: “This is terribly sad news and has come as a shock to everyone who was fortunate enough to have known Dilys.

“She was a wonderful lady who was extremely active in her local community, passionate about Oldham and its history, and a great public servant.

“First and foremost she was a devoted mother and grandmother — so our thoughts and hearts are with all her family at this terribly difficult time.”

Members of the public, friends and colleagues will be able to pay their own personal tributes in books of condolence. Details will be confirmed later this week — and funeral arrangements at a later date.