Ivan, 86, served as a Blackpool councillor for 59 years and most recently was ward councillor for Claremont ward.

He was first elected to Blackpool county borough in 1966-1969, and then again from 1971-72. In 1973 he was elected for Blackpool Borough Council which was, until 1998, a district council within Lancashire.

He has been continually a councillor from 1973 to 2026, making 59 years representing the people of Blackpool and 53 of them consecutive. At the time of Ivan’s death he was the longest serving councillor in the country.

Ivan served as council leader from 1991 to 2000. In that time, he led the council’s transition to become a unitary authority, ensuring that decisions around children and families, adult services, highways and later public health were made in Blackpool.

He led on the building of the town’s first ever publicly run leisure centre at Blackpool Sports Centre. Now, Blackpool Council runs three leisure centres, as well as a sports village, supporting more than 7,000 local people with access to affordable exercise, sport and health related benefits.

Ivan also led on the roll out of valuable Sure Start children’s centres across the town, which still support thousands of families in their new role as Family Hubs.

For 20 years, Ivan served alongside his wife Sylvia. Cllr Sylvia Taylor represented Claremont ward and was also Mayor of Blackpool in 2012-13. She died in 2021, aged 82.

Ivan served as a cabinet member across multiple roles, including health, children and young people, and most recently for strategy and performance. He served as Mayor of Blackpool in 2002-2003.

“Working with Ivan was an education in what public service should be.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool has lost one of its greatest champions.

“Councillor Ivan Taylor devoted his life to the town he loved, serving the people of Blackpool with unwavering commitment for longer than any other councillor in the United Kingdom. His record of public service is extraordinary, but those of us who knew Ivan will remember far more than the years he served.

“I had the privilege of serving alongside Ivan as a ward councillor for Claremont. Working with him was an education in what public service should be. He was so proud to represent Claremont and never took for granted the honour of representing our residents. He loved meeting residents, hearing their stories and doing everything he could to help.

“I was incredibly fortunate to call him not just a colleague but a friend. He was generous with his time, wise in his advice and unwavering in his principles. His support, kindness and humour meant a great deal to me, and I know so many others feel exactly the same. The loss I feel is not only for an outstanding public servant, but for someone I treasured personally.

“Politics was never about status or recognition for Ivan; he never forgot that politics was about improving lives, standing up for those without a voice, and ensuring everyone was treated with dignity and fairness.

“Ivan was a proud socialist whose values never wavered. He believed passionately in equality, opportunity and social justice, and those beliefs guided every decision he made. When he was Leader of the Council, he helped secure Blackpool's future by leading the move to become a unitary authority, giving our town the power to make the right decisions for itself. He also fought tirelessly to keep our council housing, buses and trams in public ownership because he believed they belonged to the people of Blackpool and locally owned transport is foundational to a fair and connected community.

“Ivan's passing leaves an enormous void. Blackpool has lost a giant of local government, and we have lost a dear friend, a mentor, and someone who was deeply loved and respected. His dedication, compassion and love for our town will never be forgotten.

“Rest in peace, Ivan. Thank you for everything you gave to Blackpool and its people. We will miss you more than words can say.”