FORMER long-serving members of Worcester City Council Liz Smith and Geoff Williams have been nominated as honorary aldermen of Worcester in recognition of their years of service to the authority.
The former Liberal Democrat stalwart and popular Labour figure have been put forward for the prestigious honour which will see their names added to roll of honorary aldermen displayed in the Guildhall.
If given the green light this evening, the pair will be entitled to attend civic ceremonial events and take part in processions, support the Mayor’s charities and act in an ambassadorial role to promote both Worcester and the City Council.
Liz Smith was first elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in the Claines ward in 1990 and was Mayor of Worcester in 1995/6. She retired from the city council in 2000, but was then elected for a second time in 2003.
During this second stint she chaired the audit committee from 2007 to 2013 and was also the city council’s representative on various outside bodies, including Worcester Community Housing, Worcester Twinning Association, Worcester Play Council and Worcester River Sports Association.
She retired for the second time in 2015 after completing a total of 22 years’ service as a city councillor.
Geoff Williams was first elected as a Labour councillor in in 1999, firstly to represent the former Holy Trinity Ward and then Gorse Hill. He was a city councillor until retiring in May 2018.
He spent several years as chairman of the scrutiny committee and was also chairman of the planning committee. He is a former cabinet member and also served as deputy leader of the council.
City council chiefs will debate the proposals from 7pm this evening, with more than two-thirds of the 35 members required to approve the honour.
