Former Wyre Forest councillor honoured by title
A former Wyre Forest district councillor, who served the community for more than 20 years, has been made an honorary alderman.
Stephen Williams was bestowed with the title at a special meeting of Wyre Forest District Council on Tuesday, October 22.
Councillor Williams was first elected to the authority in 1999 when he represented the Chaddesley ward. The ward name and boundaries changed to Chaddesley and Blakedown, and later to Wyre Forest Rural, but Councillor Williams continued to represent the area.
He stood down at the May 2019 elections.
He was chairman of the council for four times. He was elected to the post in 2005, 2008, 2014 and 2018. He also chaired the planning committee from 2004 to 2019, apart from when he was chairman of the council.
Current council chairman Councillor Shazu Miah presented him with a badge of office and a scroll at the meeting.
Mr Williams said: "I always enjoyed being part of Wyre Forest District Council and serving the community alongside my colleagues.
"I was lucky to be given the honour of being chairman four times, acting as its official representative at civic and ceremonial occasions and now I feel very honoured to receive this title too.
"I’m delighted my friends and family were here to enjoy this happy occasion.”
Councillor Miah added: "Stephen Williams has given outstanding service to the authority and the local community over many years. The fact that he was chairman four times during his time in office highlights how highly respected and admired he is by his fellow councillors.
"It was a great pleasure for me to perform the ceremony and to bestow the title of honorary alderman on Stephen Williams, an honour that is thoroughly deserved.”
