Tributes to long-serving Wolverhampton councillor, 89
Tributes have been paid to a long-serving Wolverhampton councillor, who has died aged 89
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Councillor Jim Carpenter, who served as both leader of Wolverhampton's Conservative group and also as deputy leader of the authority, held the record of being the longest-serving member of the council.
He was first elected in July 1970 as councillor for Graiseley ward, before moving to neighbouring ward between 1972 and 1982.
From 1982 to 1986 he represented Fallings Park ward, before becoming councillor for Penn.
Formally Benjamin Kenneth Carpenter, he was always known as Jim, which he explained as being the result of an agreement between his parents when he was born.
In 1973 he ruffled the feathers of traditionalists when he called for a civic reception to be held in honour of the glam rock group Slade.
