Council votes to abolish Honorary Alderman scheme
Following a debate at Full Council (3 June), Cotswold District Council voted to abolish its Honorary Alderman Scheme - a scheme in place since the 1980s to recognise former councillors for their service.
Members of the council voted to:
- make no further appointments under its Honorary Alderman scheme and therefore asks Officers to remove this scheme from its Constitution;
- allow existing holders of this honorific to continue to use it if they so wish, but not provide any special recognition or treatment for them that is not offered to other former members of the Council.
The proposition was approved - 18 For, 15 Against and 1 Abstention.
Deputy Leader of the Council, Mike Evemy, said: “Our administration believes that the Honorary Alderman scheme isn’t compatible with our modernisation agenda, was outdated and sent the wrong message to the public.
”Cotswold District Council was one of a shrinking number of Councils to award this status. We do not think that awarding a select group of former councillors a gong is a good use of our time, particularly as we begin to build a recovery for everyone from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Councillors stand for election to serve their communities and improve their local area, not for personal reward. For those whose contribution is exceptional, the national honours system allows councillors to be recognised.”
View the minutes from Full Council (3 June) on our website.