Agenda item

To receive a report by Jacqui Andrews Service Manager, Democratic & Electoral Services.

The Committee considered a report on proposals to enable the Council to confer the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman in recognition of previous service by elected members, with the mechanism to be able to do this – and the criteria to be met - set out in detail, namely:-

·        former members of Dorset Council who had given a period of public service for a minimum of 16 years,

·        had served on either Dorset Council, or its predecessors - Dorset County Council or one of the six former District Councils now comprising the Dorset Council area, and

·        were considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the area in their role as elected member.

The process for bestowing to honour was detailed and explained by the Service Manager for Democratic and Electoral Services in that it was proposed to establish a panel of members who would consider nominations and make recommendations to a specially convened meeting of Full Council – to precede a scheduled meeting of Council. The Panel’s composition was explained and what proportion of the Full Council would be required to endorse that nomination.

Any person who was bestowed the title would receive a badge and a certificate in recognition of the honour, funded through the Chairman’s Fund.

The Committee discussed the arrangements and criteria as being proposed and, whilst they were pleased to see such recognition being proposed, asked how the 16 years’ service had been arrived at. Officers confirmed that this was seen to be an optimum length of service which would reflect a member’s commitment to public service and provide the opportunity for outstanding achievements to be recognised and evaluated.

Some members considered the 16 year qualifying period too long, and a member serving for less time could still make an outstanding contribution. They asked that a shorter period be considered.

The Director – Legal and Democratic recognised this and suggested that the criterion could be amended to include the word “ordinarily”, so that there was scope for any nominations that fell into that category having the opportunity to be considered too.

Discussion took place as to how “outstanding contribution” would be assessed and officers explained the role of the Nomination Panel.

One member asked what opportunity there would be for town and parish councillors to become Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman. Officers confirmed that by law, Dorset Council could only bestow this distinction on members who had served on Dorset Council or its predecessor councils. 

With the suggested amended wording by the Director – Legal and Democratic and, it being proposed by Cllr Bill Pipe and seconded by Cllr Robin Legg, it was  

Resolved

1)That Full Council be asked to agree to amend the Constitution to include the criteria and process for awarding the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman to former members of Dorset Council.

2) the wording of the second bullet point in paragraph 3.2 of the report as to the criteria to be met for any nominations for Honorary Aldermen/Alderwomen be amended to read “The nominee shall ordinarily have served a minimum of 16 years……”

Reason for Decisions

Inclusion of the process and criteria for conferring an honorary title on a former member within the Constitution will make the process more open and transparent.