Barking and Dagenham Council is mourning the loss of a councillor.
Cllr Olawale Martins, who represented Heath Ward for Labour and was deputy chair of the council's pensions committee, died on Sunday.
First elected to the council in 2018, Cllr Martins served on a number of council committees and was re-elected in May 2022.
Breaking the news, council leader Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that our colleague and friend Councillor Olawale Martins passed away on Sunday evening.
“I know that all councillors will be sending their best wishes to Councillor Martins' wife and all his loved ones at this difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts.”
The borough flag is now flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for Cllr Martins' public service on behalf of Heath Ward and the borough at large.
Details of his funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
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