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Agenda item

Admission of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen

To consider the Admission of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen in the following terms;

 

That this Council do hereby admit to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen of the Borough, the following former Councillors, in deserved recognition of eminent and valued public service as elected Councillors of the London Borough of Croydon:

 

Sara Bashford, Carole Bonner, Mike Fisher, Timothy Godfrey, Dudley Mead, Margaret Mead, Mike Selva, Wayne Trakas-Lawlor, Mark Watson, John Wentworth and Chris Wright.

 

and that the Common Seal be affixed to a copy of this Resolution.

Minutes:

The recommendations from the Mayoralty and Honorary Freedom Selection Sub-Committee for admission to the Distinguished Roll of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen were put forward to Members of the Council.

 

Councillors Newman and Pollard respectively moved and seconded the recommendations. The Council agreed to the nominations contained in the report for the admission to the Distinguished Roll of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen.

 

Madam Mayor invited Councillors Newman and Tim Pollard to make a short speech in support of those former Councillors who were nominated.

 

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Newman paid tribute to former Councillor colleagues from both the Labour and Conservative Parties:

·         Carole Bonner was an unsung hero for the support she offered to many through her community work, dedication and support for the then Fieldway Ward;

·         John Wentworth gave many dedicated years of public service to the Council. He served as the Labour Group Chair and led many policy discussions especially related to his passion - the good education of all of Croydon’s young people;

·         Wayne Trakas-Lawlor brought positivity and inspiration into his role as Mayor. He had transformed the lives of many he met for the better;

·         Mike Selva served the Council with a quiet distinction and dignity which few managed. He also took his role as a local ward councillor very seriously helping hundreds of local people resolve their issues;

·         Timothy Godfrey’s contribution as Cabinet Member for Culture had been significant especially in ensuring the future of Fairfield Halls, which would deliver an iconic cultural centre for residents; and

·         Mark Watson’s contribution to bashment music was highlighted along with his support for the go-digital campaign and the regeneration of Surrey Street. His greatest achievement was bringing the Pride Festival to Croydon.

 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Tim Pollard paid tribute to the over 200 years of combined service to the people of Croydon represented by those being admitted to the Honorary Roll: 129 years from the former Conservative Councillors and 72 years from Labour:

·         Sara Bashford had to step down before the last election due to taking on a job that was political restricted but her track record of service made her a very worthy nominee as a former Member of Cabinet and a Deputy Leader of the Conservatives. Personal thanks was given for her support;

·         Mike Fisher was a Leader of the Council from 2006 to 2014 taking enormous pride in the work of his administration which included bringing Westfield to Croydon;

·         Dudley Mead had a thirty-eight year career which saw him Chair many committees, in addition to having been Mayor, a Leader of the Opposition, Council Deputy Leader and a respected Cabinet Member for Housing;

·         Margaret Mead served for a twenty-eight years, was Mayor and for many years led on Adult Social Care and health integration as Cabinet Member. Her policy knowledge was encyclopaedic; and

·         Chris Wright served for twenty-eight years, was a champion of Old Coulsdon and was a font of knowledge on planning issues. He held a variety of senior positions in his career and his depth of knowledge and experience was what made him so respected.

 

Madam Mayor thanked Councillors Newman and Pollard for their remarks.  The recommendation to admit the eleven former Councillors to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen was put to the vote and carried.

 

Admission to the Distinguished Roll of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen was granted to Sara Bashford, Carole Bonner, Mike Fisher, Timothy Godfrey, Dudley Mead, Margaret Mead, Mike Selva, Wayne Trakas-Lawlor, Mark Watson, John Wentworth and Chris Wright. Each was presented and received their citation and a gift from Madam Mayor and the Deputy Mayor.