Recently the whole of Cumbria was shocked to learn of the sudden death of Ian Stewart, the deputy leader of Cumbria County Council and a local SLDC councillor. I had the privilege of working with Ian over several years. He was a wonderful colleague, a terrific public servant, and an excellent councillor. He helped to initiate many important projects.

Ian, pictured below, felt strongly about community involvement and we would sometimes discuss how the council could best use our resources to encourage communities to work in partnership with local government to benefit the residents and visitors.

He was also passionate about helping the vulnerable and one of our most recent interactions concerned his desire to make sure that the district implemented a care leavers council tax exemption.

This allows young people who have recently left care to be free of council taxes for a while to help them find their feet.

This measure was passed last week in our cabinet and I am only sorry Ian was not able to see the completion of project he so ardently advocated.

Another project I know he strongly supported is the building of disabled changing facilities in the district. Surprisingly there are few of these facilities available.

As I have mentioned in a previous article we have allocated £50,000 to help toward the cost of providing quality changing facilities for people who cannot access the standard facilities. Community groups will make applications for some of this money to enable feasibility studies and build new facilities. Interested groups should contact communitygrants@southlakeland.gov.uk). I know Ian would have been a wonderful partner and colleague in ensuring we achieved the very best results for our money and I will miss his counsel as we move through this process.

Ian’s knowledge of council procedure and process was encyclopaedic. If a colleague wanted to find a way to achieve something for the community, Ian’s insight was often invaluable.

While all of us who knew him will mourn Ian’s untimely passing, and feel deep sympathy for his family, we can also celebrate what he achieved for the community. He leaves behind a legacy of achievement that will last for a long time.