Former LGA children's chief Baroness Shireen Ritchie dies

Baroness Ritchie was chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board between 2009 and 2011.

She received a peerage in 2010 after the general election.

Sir Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington & Chelsea Council, where Baroness Ritchie was a councillor, said: "Shireen Ritchie was a much-loved colleague who will be greatly missed by all associated with the council.

“She worked tirelessly to champion the interests of families and children, both in the Royal Borough and nationally, and was a hugely respected figure in this field.

“My sympathies and those of the council as a whole are with Shireen's family at this sad time."

Shireen Ritchie was first elected as a councillor in Kensington & Chelsea in 1998, and became lead member for social services and health in 2003 before becoming lead member for children's services in 2005.

She was also a founding member of Women2Win, the Conservative campaign to get more female MPs into Westminster.

A statement released by Kensington and Chelsea council said: “Shireen Ritchie was dedicated to ensuring that excellent services were delivered for families in Kensington and Chelsea and in particular to those who were disadvantaged. And she certainly succeeded.

“As recently as 2010, inspectors noted that in Kensington and Chelsea the difference between the performance of potentially vulnerable children and others of the same age was consistently smaller than in similar areas and across the country.

“Shireen Ritchie was determined that glowing reports from inspectors would never result in complacency when it came to the education and welfare of children and always sought to ensure that officers looked for new ways to improve and to increase the chances and opportunities for the young.

"She recognised the importance of strong families at the heart of the community and worked ceaselessly to make sure that the services delivered by the council helped families to thrive.”