In accordance with the resolution of Council at its meeting 30 July 2019, the Council is asked to confer the title of Honorary Alderman, under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, upon former Councillors:

Ron Allen

Philip Awford

Kay Berry

Derek Davies

Janet Day

Sue Hillier-Richardson

Pearl Stokes

David Waters

Certificates will be presented to the Honorary Aldermen.

Following the close of the meeting, the Mayor will host a reception in honour of the newly appointed Honorary Aldermen.    

52.1           The Mayor thanked those present for attending the meeting to witness the conferring of the Office of Honorary Alderman on eight former Councillors. She expressed what an honour and privilege it was to have the opportunity to bestow such a title upon those that had done so much for the Borough during their time in Office. The Mayor indicated that, unfortunately, one of those being honoured, Janet Day, had been unable to attend the meeting that evening but confirmed that her certificate and gifts would be delivered to her after the meeting.  

52.2           Councillor Bird expressed his great pleasure in being able to formally propose the eight former Councillors for this honour. He explained that, every four years, the Council had the opportunity to commemorate past Councillors in this way and he felt the achievements of each and every person on the list had been incredible and he thanked them all for their service. They had all served the Office of Councillor with integrity and had each shown a unique ability to represent their own Wards and the Council in the best possible way. With that in mind he proposed that, in recognition of their public service to their community and the Borough, the under-mentioned persons have conferred upon them the title of Honorary Alderman:

Ron Allen

Philip Awford

Kay Berry

Derek Davies

Janet Day

Sue Hillier-Richardson

Pearl Stokes

David Waters

52.3           The Motion was seconded by Councillor Stanley who indicated that it was with great pleasure that he seconded the honouring of the eight past Members with the Office of Honorary Alderman.

52.4           Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was carried and each new Honorary Alderman in attendance was presented with their certificate and gifts to mark the occasion.

52.5           Councillor Mason expressed what a pleasure it was for him to speak in support of Ron Allen. He advised that he had got to know Ron in 1999 when he had first become a Councillor and Ron had already been a Borough Councillor for four years. Ron was known to be a great debater who was very fair and had an extensive vocabulary. He had always given 100% to the Ward and the people he worked for within it whilst being kind, considerate and fair. Ron had held the Office of Mayor, had been a Lead Member and had chaired various Committees and Panels during his time on the Council and he had served all with dignity and fairness. On receiving his certificate, Honorary Alderman Ron Allen thanked the Council for conferring the title of Honorary Alderman upon him and for the kind words that Councillor Mason had spoken. He indicated that it truly was an honour to have been chosen and his time at the Council had truly been a happy journey during which he had made many friends. He particularly thanked the Officers that had supported him over the years for their efficient and kind service.

52.6           Councillor Williams expressed his pleasure to speak in support of Philip Awford. He indicated that Philip had been elected to the Borough Council in 2003 and had been Mayor in 2007 during which time Tewkesbury had experienced its worst flood event in many years. As Mayor, Philip (and others) had raised approximately £750,000 for flood victims which was astonishing. Councillor Williams indicated that Philip was very much liked and respected by all and was a great friend. On receiving his certificate, Honorary Alderman Philip Awford expressed what an honour it was to have been chosen for the award of Honorary Alderman. He indicated that, whilst he missed his friends at the Council, he was still managing to keep himself busy with his other duties.

52.7           Councillor Smith expressed his pleasure in being able to speak in support of Kay Berry. He advised that he had known Kay for a number of years and had first met her through her partner who had also been a Councillor. Kay was remembered by all with great affection and still worked tirelessly for the community even though she was no longer a Borough Councillor. Councillor Smith felt that Kay was very well liked and respected and he could think of few people more deserving of the title of Honorary Alderman. On receiving her certificate, Honorary Alderman Kay Berry thanked the Council for the honour. She explained that it was nice to be able to attend the meeting to say thank you; she had had some wonderful times on the Council and it was good to be able to look back and reflect on the positive things that had happened. Obviously there had also been some sad times but the great support she had received from Councillor colleagues and Officers alike had helped her through those for which she would always be grateful.

52.8           Councillor East indicated how fitting it was that he was able to speak in support of Derek Davies. He had known Derek for a very long time and could confidently state that everything Derek did he did well. There had been some funny moments in years past and he felt that Derek richly deserved the award of Honorary Alderman. On receiving his certificate, Honorary Alderman Derek Davies offered his sincere thanks to the Council for the honour. He advised that he had been on the Council for 32 years and had been very grateful for the time he had been able to serve his community and the wider Borough. He had felt supported by Councillors and Officers alike, some of whom had been at the Council before he had started, and he thanked everyone for the honour bestowed upon him.

52.9           The Borough Mayor, Councillor Blackwell indicated her pleasure in supporting Janet Day in becoming an Honorary Alderman. Janet had been an exceptionally hardworking Councillor and had been on the Borough Council for 24 years having sat on a number of Committees and been Mayoress to Councillor Mason when he was Mayor. Councillor Blackwell advised that when she had first become a Councillor, Janet had been one of the first ladies to congratulate her and show her where everything was; she was such a kind and thoughtful friend and colleague. Honorary Alderman Janet Day was not present at the meeting to collect her certificate and gifts and the Mayor advised that Councillor Mason had kindly agreed to deliver them to her following the meeting.

52.10         Councillor Stanley expressed how delighted he was to be able to speak in support of Sue Hillier-Richardson on this occasion. He indicated that he had not met her personally so he had asked the Parish Councillors to share their experiences of Sue and it was clear that she had a reputation for being a fierce advocate for the local community and was highly regarded by the Parish Council and the community alike. On receiving her certificate, Honorary Alderman Sue Hillier-Richardson explained that without the enormous support from Officers her role would have been much harder. She had really enjoyed her time as a Councillor and had found it to be both interesting and rewarding and she expressed her thanks to all those who had nominated her for the honour of Honorary Alderman.

52.11         Councillor Jordan indicated that it was her pleasure to speak in support of Pearl Stokes. Pearl had been the person who had first suggested she should stand as a Councillor in the last Borough election. She had always seen Pearl to be one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated Councillors with endless determination. Despite having health issues herself, Pearl had always battled for the community and the Borough as a whole and was a genuinely lovely person to receive such an award.  On receiving her certificate, Honorary Alderman Pearl Stokes expressed what an absolute privilege it was to be honoured in this way. She had thoroughly enjoyed being a Borough Councillor and had always found the Officers and Members to be friendly and supportive which was lovely. She felt everyone worked well together and she really hoped that would continue into the future.

52.12         Councillor Bird expressed what a great pleasure it was to speak in support of David Waters. David had served three terms on the authority and had made a major contribution to it within that time. As Leader, Councillor Bird fully understood the commitment that was required. In his second term on the Council, David had also been Mayor and represented the Borough as the Civic figurehead before later also being the political figurehead as Leader of the Council all the while also being a Lead Member for two of the most demanding portfolios. Councillor Bird felt much of the good work being continued today was due to the groundwork put in by David when he had been in those roles and he offered his thanks for the hard work and dedication shown during his time as a Councillor. On receiving his certificate, Honorary Alderman David Waters thanked those present for the great honour. He indicated that he had ended up in politics due to his work with Alderman Knight School and he had thoroughly enjoyed his time being part of the Borough team. Officers and Members had worked together brilliantly and their commitment to problem-solving was excellent. He also expressed his thanks to his wife who had been a great support throughout his time in Office but particularly when he had also been Mayor. He indicated that he had enjoyed every minute of the 12 years he had been a Councillor.

52.13         At the conclusion of the presentations, the Mayor congratulated the new Honorary Aldermen and indicated that, following the close of the meeting, all were welcome to join her and her Consort for something to eat and drink in the reception area.