Tributes paid to Honorary Alderman and former Mayor of Sandwell Sadie Smith

Tributes have been paid to Honorary Alderman and former Mayor of Sandwell Sadie Smith who has sadly passed away at the age of 89.

Sandwell Council’s thoughts are with Alderman Smith’s family and friends.

Sadie Smith was a councillor from 1982 to 2012 and served the Great Barr with Yew Tree ward. She also led Sandwell’s opposition Liberal Democrat party for a number of years.

In 2006/2007, she was the Mayor of Sandwell and raised more than £7,500 for her charities, which were Guide Dogs and the National Osteoporosis Society (now the Royal Osteoporosis Society).

She served on numerous committees during her terms of office which included the Cabinet Advisory Teams for the Leader, Strategic Resources, Adult Social Care, Children and Families, Culture and Leisure, Joint Housing and Resources, as well as West Bromwich Town Committee, Scrutiny Management Board and Finance Scrutiny Panel, plus several other panels and committees.

Following her service as a councillor, Sadie was made an Honorary Alderman of Sandwell in 2013.

The current Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Steve Melia, paid tribute. He said: “On behalf of everyone at Sandwell Council, I would like to send our condolences to Alderman Smith’s family and friends.

“I knew Sadie for many years, and I am very sad to hear of her passing. As a councillor she gave dedicated service to the people of Sandwell for 30 years, both to residents in Great Barr and Yew Tree as a ward member and to people right across Sandwell in her various roles on the council.

“I will be inviting fellow councillors to pay tribute to her at the next full council meeting on 24 February, when we will also hold a minute’s silence in the Council Chamber.”

Alderman Smith’s funeral will be held at Sandwell Valley Crematorium, Newton Road, West Bromwich B71 3SX at 11.30am on Monday 9 February. The service will be livestreamed at the following link.

Link for Alderman Sadie Smith’s funeral