Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs S Davies, Harrison, Haywood, Linford, O’Sullivan and Osborne.

An apology for late attendance was received from Cllr Mballa.

Cllr Cleary will move:-

“That in pursuance of the statutory powers them enabling, the Council hereby admits John Ward to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the New Forest District, in recognition of 20 years eminent service to the Council and the District.

That the proper entry be made upon the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the District.”

Note – the Council’s Honorary Aldermen guidance note is enclosed for councillors’ reference.

Cllr Cleary reported to the Council that former Cllr John G Ward was first elected to the District Council in 2003, to the Milton Ward.  He was successfully returned on four occasions, serving a total of 20 years.  From 2011, John served alongside Cllr Cleary in the Fernhill ward and she spoke of him as a fantastic ward colleague for the following 12 years.

John was the Corporate Overview Panel Chairman for over a decade, leading on a number of hugely influential initiatives in the way the Council had developed and modernised.  From the early development of proposals to undertake an Electoral Review of the District Council – which culminated this year, to a number of changes to the Council’s governance arrangements, including the establishment of Overview and Scrutiny Panels aligned to key Council service areas.

John worked closely with South East Employers and was considered to be an outstanding representative of the Council to external organisations.

John also served on the Council’s Leisure Review and Industrial Relations Committees, and spent time as the Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee, and before it the Final Accounts Committee.

Cllr Cleary spoke of John being wonderful to work alongside, and wished him and his wife an enjoyable retirement.

Cllr Cleary concluded by moving the following motion:-

“That in pursuance of the statutory powers them enabling, the Council hereby admits John G Ward to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the New Forest District, in recognition of 20 years eminent service to the Council and the District.

That the proper entry be made upon the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the District.”

Cllr Ward seconded the motion and wished John all the very best for the future.

Other Members spoke in support of the motion, paying tribute to John’s financial astuteness, his commitment to residents and his ward work, and the significant contribution to the evolution of the Council to its current form.

RESOLVED:

That in pursuance of the statutory powers them enabling, the Council hereby admits John G Ward to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the New Forest District, in recognition of 20 years eminent service to the Council and the District.

That the proper entry be made upon the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the District.

Honorary Alderman John G Ward responded following the Council bestowing the above honour upon him.