A MINUTE’S silence has been held to mark the passing of a popular former Labour councillor.

Moira Dunn, who represented the Aireborough ward on Leeds City Council between 1990 and 2002, died peacefully in hospital at the end of June. She was in her nineties.

Her death was announced “with great sadness” by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Al Garthwaite, at a full council meeting on Wednesday, July 12. Councillors paid their respects with silence shortly afterwards.

During her time in the role, Mrs Dunn was credited with helping to bring about the refurbishment of Yeadon Town Hall in the 1990s.

In an interview with the Wharfedale Observer in December 2001, speaking of her decision not to stand for re-election in May 2002, Mrs Dunn, then aged 71, said she’d been “extremely” proud to be a councillor for the area.

She said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Aireborough on Leeds City Council for the past 12 years. I have been able to help a lot of people in that time, and I have been able to contribute to the life and well-being of the community.

"There are, of course, many things I would have liked to have done, but which have not proved possible so far. I shall continue to work to achieve them until next May.

"To everyone who has supported me, regardless of their political affiliations, may I wish you well and long life and happiness in the future."

Coun Dunn had a number of responsibilities as a Leeds City Councillor. She sat on the Development Control (West) Panel, which determined planning applications for the Aireborough, Otley and Wharfedale, Horsforth, and other council wards.

She also sat on a number of Leeds City Council's working groups.

But Coun Dunn said she felt her greatest achievement as a councillor had been in her own ward - in particular bringing about the refurbishment of Yeadon Town Hall.

She said: "It's with extreme pride that I go in there, look around it, and say `you did it girl'. For 12 years, I feel representing the people of Aireborough has been an absolute enjoyment."