Newham Council is holding an extraordinary meeting where they will consider nominations for Honorary Alderperson and Honorary Freedom of the Borough Awards. The council will also address standard meeting procedures such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Honorary Alderperson and Honorary Freedom of the Borough Awards

The council will consider nominations for the Honorary Freedom of the Borough and Honorary Alderperson awards. According to the Supplementary Agenda Pack 1, members will be asked to consider and approve nominations for the Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Newham.

A report in the supplementary agenda pack recommends that the late Councillor Neil Wilson be awarded the status of Honorary Alderperson of the London Borough of Newham in 2025, and that Leonard Pringle be awarded Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Newham in 2025.

The report states that the awards of Honorary Alderperson and Honorary Freedom of the Borough are the highest honours the London Borough of Newham can bestow, and that they are an important opportunity for the council to recognise and celebrate the outstanding service and contributions of former councillors and other persons of distinction.

Honorary Alderperson Award

The report explains that Section 249(1) of the Local Government Act of 1972 empowers the council to confer the title of honorary aldermen on people who have rendered eminent services to the council as past members, but who are not then councillors of the council.

In Newham, the Alderperson Award is made to former councillors who have made an exceptional contribution to the borough and the council through their achievements whilst in office.

The report notes that Councillor Neil Wilson began his career as a teacher, followed by a period working in careers advice and guidance. It says that he served as a school governor for almost 40 years, and as a councillor from 1994, representing Hudson Ward and then Plaistow South Ward from 2002 until his death. The report also notes that Councillor Wilson's final cabinet role was lead member for Health and Adults Social Care, which he fulfilled alongside his position as the Council's Mental Health Champion and Vice-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Honorary Freedom of the Borough

The report explains that Under Section 249(5) of the 1972 Local Government Act the council may also admit to be honorary freemen or honorary freewomen of the place or area for which it is the authority persons of distinction, and persons who have, in the opinion of the authority, rendered eminent services to that place or area.

The Honorary Freedom of the Borough itself carries no privilege and is purely an honour reflecting the eminence of the person on whom it is conferred or a recognition of significant and valuable services rendered to the borough by that person.

The report notes that Leonard Pringle is a resident of Forest Gate, who has demonstrated over 30 years of commitment to the borough's ecological health and the maintenance of biodiversity and access to green spaces within the local area. It says that Mr Pringle co-founded the Newham Conservation Volunteers charity in 1994, alongside Les Rice, and has been involved in countless projects across the borough, including planting over 550 trees, supporting food-growing spaces, improving air quality, bridge construction in local parks, and setting up the Dorset Road Community Garden.

Declarations of Interest

At the start of the meeting, councillors will be invited to declare any interests they may have in relation to any matter being considered, as outlined in the Members' Declarations of Interest guidance. This includes Disclosable Pecuniary Interests¹ and Non-Pecuniary Interests.