Friday 10th March, 2023
The eligibility criteria for the title of Honorary Aldermen of the City of Colchester on former councillors is being reviewed.
The Governance and Audit Committee meeting at the Town Hall on 16th March is set to debate the proposed changes. It has been me with hostility by the current Alderman of Colchester.
The report recommends changing the eligibility criteria to reduce the years of service from 20 to 16 years and include former councillors who have held the office of Leader of the Council.
It has also been suggested to posthumously confer the title of Honorary Aldermen on former councillors who met the eligibility criteria but have passed away.
The proposal has faced opposition from the Honorary Aldermen who are protective of their own elite status. They argue that the existing period of 20 years service should not be reduced as it would diminish the honour.
They also claim that including the Leader of the Council would make the award of the honour political.
They suggest that there are more appropriate methods of commemorating deceased former councillors, such as road and building names.
Road to Nowhere, etc.
The proposal might come as a surprise to some, as there are not many councillors who last for 16 years these days.
Including the ex-Leaders of the Council could make the award of the honour political.
Ex-Tory Leader Paul Dundas probably wasn’t expecting the Alderman fur coat treatment after he lost his seat back in the May 2022 local elections.
The proposal has been discussed with the Group Leaders, who did not have any objections.
However, the Honorary Aldermen have overwhelmingly opposed the proposal, which they see as a threat to their exclusive status.
The Council claims that the proposal is aimed at recognising the services of former councillors.
The opposition from the Honorary Aldermen indicates that they see the proposal as an attempt to dilute their status.
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