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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COUNCIL
26 SEPTEMBER 2018
REPORT
OF THE DEMOCRACY COMMITTEE HELD ON
5 SEPTEMBER 2018
PROTOCOL ON THE
APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY ALDERMEN
Issue for Decision
At its meeting of 5 September 2018, the Democracy Committee considered a draft protocol for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen. The protocol had been considered by the Committee in March 2018, and following this requested a working group meeting to consider the criteria for appointing Honorary Aldermen in detail. The working group took place in August 2018, and a draft criteria was produced by the working group. The draft protocol, as amended by the working group was then considered by the Democracy Committee on 5 September 2018. The Committee amended the criteria for appointment – replacing a requirement for holding particular positions in the Council with a requirement for demonstrating exemplary service to the Borough – and increased the length of service on the Council from 12 to 16 years.
Recommendation Made
That the Protocol on the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen (Appendix 1) is adopted and included in the Council’s Constitution.
Reasons for Recommendation
Appointing Honorary Aldermen will allow the Council to recognise exemplary service to the Borough through awarding an honorary title to those ex-members who fit the criteria outlined in the protocol.
Alternatives Considered and Why Not Recommended
Council could decide not to agree the Protocol on the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen. However this would mean that the Council would not be able to appoint Honorary Aldermen to recognise their service to the Borough.
Council could further amend the protocol. However the protocol has already been considered by Democracy Committee twice, and also in great detail by a working group of the Committee. The current protocol has been thoroughly considered and reflects the will of the Democracy Committee.
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Protocol
on the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen