Tributes paid after Argyll and Bute councillor dies
Tributes have been paid to Argyll and Bute councillor Ellen Morton, who died last weekend.
Councillor Morton, who represented the Helensburgh and Lomond South ward, died on Saturday October 3, aged 76.
Announcing her death, Councillor Morton’s family said on Monday that she had passed away after ‘an illness borne privately at home’.
During her 21 years as a councillor, Councillor Morton served as depute leader of the council, as spokesperson for education and sat on a number of council committees, including social work and criminal justice and licensing.
A particular interest for her was economic development and infrastructure and her most recent senior political role with the council was policy lead and later depute policy lead for roads, infrastructure services and special projects.
She shared her expertise in this field outwith Argyll and Bute, serving as the first chairperson of the Northern Roads Collaboration, which was established in 2018 to bring a number of Scottish councils together to explore innovation and potential for shared services and expertise.
Councillor Morton also represented Argyll and Bute on a number of external organisations ranging from the Board of Scottish Legal Aid to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board.
Councillor Morton – who was first elected to Argyll and Bute Council in 1999 – was joined on the council in 2012 by her daughter Aileen, one of four children who survive her.
Ellen is also survived by her husband Gordon and four grandchildren.
Aileen became leader of the council five years later, a post from which she stood down last month.
Councillor Robin Currie, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: ‘It is with huge sadness that we learned of the death of Councillor Morton.
‘Ellen worked tirelessly to benefit Argyll and Bute. She brought energy and passion to the debating chamber, was never afraid to speak her mind and focused unwaveringly on doing the best possible for our local communities. We will miss her.
‘We send our heartfelt wishes to Ellen’s family and, most especially, to our colleague Councillor Aileen Morton at this very sad time.’
Chief executive Pippa Milne added: ‘Ellen was a councillor longer than many of us have worked for the council so it’s difficult to imagine the council without her.
‘Ellen never lost sight of the fact that things don’t just happen, that progress depends on the hard work and commitment of our employees. She worked closely with employees in services across the council.
‘We will remember with gratitude Ellen’s drive for success.
‘Our thoughts and warmest wishes are with Councillor Aileen Morton and wider family.’