North Lincolnshire councillor dies after falling ill at budget meeting

Steve Swift was described as "a fountain of knowledge" by North Lincolnshire Council

A North Lincolnshire councillor has died after falling ill during a budget meeting.

The meeting on 22 February was abandoned and adjourned when Councillor Steve Swift was taken ill mid-speech.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics and was later taken to Castle Hill Hospital, in Hull, for specialist treatment.

The budget passed the following week, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a statement, North Lincolnshire Council said the councillor had "lost his courageous battle".

"Councillor Swift collapsed whilst speaking on behalf of his residents at the full council meeting on the 22 February," it said.

"He received immediate emergency first aid and then first-class treatment from the paramedics who were quickly on scene. He was taken to Castle Hill Hospital where, despite receiving a superb level of care and support, he sadly passed away."

Mr Swift had been a North Lincolnshire councillor since 1996 before serving in the same role at the former Humberside County Council.

He was also a former mayor of Bottesford Town Council.

The authority paid tribute to "a fountain of knowledge" whose "memory was legendary".

"Steve's motivation was always local government and serving people at a local level," it said.

"For many years he served the people of Bottesford and Brumby with a passion that was unsurpassed.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him on both a personal and professional basis."