TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular councillor who has died suddenly after being taken ill at a community event in her division.

Cllr Val Tarbitt, 81, the Conservative member for Longtown, died suddenly on Friday January 28.

She was elected to the county council in 2010, her division including the parishes of Arthuret, Bewcastle, Rockcliffe, Nicholforest, Stapleton, Westlinton and Kirkandrews-on-Esk.

A dedicated public servant with a background in higher education, Cllr Tarbitt held the Shadow portfolio for Children’s Services, was Chair of the Scrutiny Advisory Board – Children and Young People; and was a member of Scrutiny Management Board, LEP Scrutiny Board, Staffing Committee and Carlisle Local Committee.

Her outside appointments included Carlisle Armed Forces Champion, Carlisle Youth Zone, Gillford Centre Pupil Referral Unit, Children and Young People’s Working Group, and Longtown Community Centre.

Paying tribute, Conservative Group Leader Cllr Hilary Carrick said: “I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Cllr Val Tarbitt last weekend.

“Val has been an excellent local councillor, campaigning tirelessly for the communities she represented.

“As chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Advisory Board, Val cared passionately that every young person should be given the best possible start in life and the opportunity to live their best lives.

“She was also the County Council’s Armed Forces Champion for Carlisle, proactively engaging with local veterans on a regular basis to try and provide whatever support they needed.

“We will miss Val very much and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”