Five former Stafford councillors to become Honorary Aldermen

The honour will be bestowed on Joyce Farnham, Frank Finlay, Brian Price, Geoff Rowlands and Ken Williamson “in recognition of their eminent services” to Stafford Borough Council across the past four decades, before they stood down at May’s elections.

Mrs Farnham, Mr Finlay and Mr Price all represented the borough as Mayor for a year during their lengthy terms of office. And Mr Finlay and Mr Williamson were cabinet members at the time they stood down.

On Tuesday, at a special full council meeting, their former colleagues and successors agreed unanimously to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on the five former members. Badges and illuminated addresses will be produced for each and they will be presented by the Mayor at a ceremony at a later date.

The honour means they will have the right to be addressed as Alderman or Alderwoman and attend civic ceremonies in that capacity. They will have no additional rights to attend or participate in council meetings however and cannot be paid an allowance.

On Tuesday council leader Patrick Farrington proposed the five be named Honorary Alderman and the motion was seconded by opposition leader Councillor Aidan Godfrey.

Councillor Farrington said: “This is one of those pleasurable occasions where we look back on the immense service that former councillors have given – not just to the council but to the public at large. If you look at the five former councillors we are talking about, add up the years of service and look at the experience how sad it was to lose them at the last election.”

'Caring and compassionate'

Councillor Godfrey said: “I would like to echo the statement the leader of the council has made. They are all very deserving of the honour and for many years have served this council extremely well.”

Stone councillor Jill Hood paid tribute to the work of Mrs Farnham, who was first elected onto the borough authority in 1987 and was borough Mayor during 2005-2006, as well as chairing the public appeals and employee appeals committees.

Councillor Hood said: “I cannot let this go without speaking about Mrs Farnham. As a town councillor and borough councillor I served with her for many years.

“She had a wicked sense of humour and was a genuinely caring and compassionate person when it came to her residents. It is an absolute pleasure to come here tonight and I will be voting for Mrs Farnham to become an Alderman – I’m sure my colleagues here all share my sentiments.”

Councillor Chris Baron said: “We have had fun together – Joyce Farnham was Mayor of Stone the same year I was Mayor and I was Brian Price’s Deputy Mayor. The other three I always found extremely helpful and friendly if I needed any advice, so I welcome this.”

Mr Price, who was also first elected onto the borough council in 1987, was Borough Mayor during 2007-2008. He chaired the Rationalisation of Schools and Development Control subcommittees and Leisure Scrutiny Committee, as well as being vice chairman of the Housing Services Committee.

Mr Finlay, who was first elected in 1995, served as Borough Mayor during 2004-2005 and chaired the resources scrutiny and leisure scrutiny committees, before becoming cabinet member for environment and health in 2011. Mr Rowlands served for 20 years on the authority, starting in 1999.

Mr Williamson, who was first elected in 2003, chaired the Resources Committee and Development Control Committee before becoming cabinet member for resources in 2009.