Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance.

It was moved by Councillor P Walker, and duly seconded by Councillor K E Morris, that former district councillors G J Hood and P A Watkins be conferred the title of Honorary Alderman in recognition of the eminent services they had rendered to the Council as past members.

On being put to the vote it was CARRIED by two-thirds of the members who voted and it was

RESOLVED:  (a)     That the title of Honorary Alderman be conferred on Mr G J Hood in recognition of the eminent services that he had rendered as a past member of the Council.

                        (b)     That the title of Honorary Alderman be conferred on Mr P A Watkins in recognition of the eminent services that he had rendered as a past member of the Council.

To consider the report of the Director of Governance (to follow) in respect of the nominations of the following former district councillors for the position of Honorary Alderman:

Paul Watkins  

Nominated by: Councillor P Walker   Seconded by: Councillor K E Morris

Jim Hood

Nominated by: Councillor P Walker   Seconded by: Councillor K E Morris

The Democratic Services Manager advised that two nominations for Honorary Alderman had been received.

In accordance with the Scheme of Enrolment for Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen adopted by Council, former members who had rendered 20 years’ service or more and had provided ‘eminent services’ to the Council could be considered for conferment of the title of ‘Honorary Alderman or Alderwoman)’ if nominated by two serving members of the Council.

The Committee was advised that Councillor P Walker, seconded by Councillor K E Morris, had proposed Mr P Watkins and Mr G J Hood for the award of the title of Honorary Alderman.

Mr Watkins had served as a member of Dover District Council for Lower Walmer Ward (1983 – 1995) and St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe Ward (1999 – 2017). In total he was a district councillor for 30 years of non-continuous service. He was Chairman of the Council three times (1989 – 1992) and Leader of the Council under the Executive Model (2003 – 2017).

Mr Hood served as a member of Dover District Council for Town and Pier Ward from 1976 – 2015. In total he was a district councillor for 39 years of continuous service and still remains the Council’s longest serving member. He was the Cabinet Member for Transport, Opportunity and Access from 2000-02, Cabinet Member for Opportunity from 2002-03 and a member of the Shadow Cabinet from 2003-4 and 2007 – 2011.

The consensus of opinion amongst members was that the two nominees were worthy for the conferment of the title of Honorary Alderman due to the eminent services that they had provided to the Council.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to Council that the Mr G J Hood and Mr P A Watkins be conferred the status of Honorary Alderman.