The County Council of Leicestershire Council convened for an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 13 May 2026. The primary business scheduled for discussion was a proposed protocol for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen, alongside consideration of nominations for these honorary titles.

Protocol on the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen

A draft protocol for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen was presented for consideration. This protocol aims to provide greater clarity and reflect current governance expectations regarding the conferral of this civic honour. Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen are appointed to recognise past Members who have rendered eminent services to the Council and the local community. This title is purely civic and does not grant governance rights, voting rights, or financial entitlements.

The protocol outlines the purpose and scope of the honour, eligibility criteria, and indicative factors for assessing eminent service. These factors include length of service, holding significant leadership roles, outstanding contributions to projects or policy development, exemplary conduct, and recognition from peers or the community. The nomination process, which involves Group Leaders, and the decision-making process, requiring a two-thirds majority at a specially convened meeting of the Full Council, are also detailed. The protocol specifies that appointments are typically made every four years, following County Council elections, though flexibility exists.

The document also clarifies the rights, privileges, and limitations associated with the title, such as invitations to civic events and attendance at Full Council meetings as an observer. It states that recipients will not receive allowances and must not use their honorary title for political campaigning. Provisions for the withdrawal of the honour and arrangements for recipients who are subsequently re-elected to the council are also included. Furthermore, the protocol addresses potential scenarios related to local government reorganisation, outlining how existing titles would be handled by successor authorities. The Constitution Committee had previously considered the proposed revised protocol and recommended its approval by the County Council.

Nominations for Honorary Aldermen

The meeting was also scheduled to consider nominations for admission as Honorary Aldermen. The individuals nominated for this honour were Mr Bill Boulter, Mr Jeffrey Kaufman, and Mr Nicholas Rushton. The report pack indicated that these nominations would be considered in line with the proposed protocol.