Two former Blackburn with Darwen councillors are mourned (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Two former Blackburn with Darwen councillors are mourned

12:50pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News

TWO former Blackburn with Darwen politicians will be remembered on Monday when the full council meets to set its final budget.

In the last week Jim Blackburn, who represented Shadsworth for 31 years until 2008, and Joe Smith, Tory councillor for Ewood from 2008 to 2012, have passed away.

Mr Blackburn, who was 86, leaves his wife Lydia, five children, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He worked at Mullard’s for 39 years.

Mr Smith had been a stalwart of the borough Conservative association for many years before his spell on the council.

Tory group leader Mike Lee said: “Joe Smith was an excellent councillor and a key figure in the borough’s Conservative association for many years. He will be greatly missed.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Labour leader Kate Hollern said: “Jim will be greatly missed. “He was a very dedicated, hard-working councillor for many years.”

Both men will be remembered at the borough’s Finance Council in Monday before it sets the council tax and agrees the authority’s budget for 2013/2014.

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