The conferring of the title Honorary Alderman is the highest award that can be made to a former Councillor in recognition of exceptional service to the Council.
Becoming an Honorary Alderman
The position of Honorary Alderman is non-political. Solihull Council can award this honour to a Councillor on his or her retirement from the Council.
Honorary Aldermen are proposed and seconded by serving Members of the Council. There must be support for the nomination by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting at a special Council meeting.
To be eligible for nomination, a person must have rendered at least 15 years’ eminent or notable service as a Member of the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. They must have made a significant contribution to the Council and the people it represents.
Privileges of an Alderman
- to attend as an observer at meetings of the Council or any other meetings to which the press and public are admitted and to have a seat reserved for this purpose
- to receive invitations to all civic events to which Members of the Council are invited
- to walk in civic processions in a position immediately senior to serving Councillors
- to wear the Badge of Office of Honorary Alderman on civic occasions
- on death, to have the Borough flag flown at the Solihull Council House at half-mast
- to enjoy such other privileges as the Council may confer upon them from time to time
- to enjoy the courtesy title of “Honorary Alderman” and to be addressed as such
Honorary Aldermen of the Borough of Solihull
Jim Ryan
Jim Ryan served on the Council for 44 years, representing the Bickenhill Ward from 1980 to 2024. During this time he served on various committees and boards including chairing the Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board, and was chairman of the Planning Committee for several years. He was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2024 in recognition of his service to the Council.
Ken Meeson
Ken Meeson served on the Council for 40 years from 1980 to 2024. During this time he held various positions including Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member, Scrutiny Board Chairman and represented the Council on external bodies such as West Midlands Employers and the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust. He held the office of Mayor for three separate terms, most recently from 2021 to 22 and 2022 to 23.
Stuart George Davis
Stuart Davis first served on the Council for 4 years from 1979 representing the Shirley West Ward and then for a further 23 years representing the Knowle Ward from 1999 to 2022. During this time he served on various Committees and boards, and was chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committees. He held the office of Mayor from 2017 – 2018, 2019- 20 and 2020-21. He was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2022 in recognition of his service to the Council.
Gary Michael Allport ACIS
Gary Allport served on the Council from 2004 to 2016 representing the Shirley South Ward. During this time he served on various Committees and boards, and held the office of Mayor from 2007-2008. He was made an Honorary Alderman in December 2021.
Florence Violet Nash
Flo Nash served on the Council from 2012 to 2021 representing the Kingshurst and Fordbridge Ward. During this time she served on various Committees and boards, and held the office of Mayor from 2018-2019. She was made an Honorary Alderman in December 2021.
Ted Richards OBE
Ted Richards OBE was elected as a Councillor to serve the Castle Bromwich Ward in 1984 and served 37 years before retiring from the Council in 2021. During this time he held various senior roles including chairing several different Committees, serving as a Cabinet Member and being elected Leader of the Council. He represented the Council on the Birmingham Airport Board for many years and was awarded the honour of OBE in recognition of his service. Ted Richards was made an Honorary Alderman in December 2021.
Mrs Glenis Ann Slater
Glenis Slater was elected as a Councillor to serve the Elmdon Ward from 2008 until retiring from the Council in 2021. She held the office of Mayor in 2015-16. She was Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group from 2018-21 and served as a member of the Planning Committee for 9 years. She was made an Honorary Alderman in December 2021.
Kathleen Yvonne Wild
Kate Wild began her career as a Councillor in 1994 and served as a representative of the St Alphege Ward for 27 years before retiring from the Council in 2021. During this time she had various roles including chairing several different Committees and Boards and being a Member of the Cabinet. Kate Wild held the office of Mayor in 2002-03 and again in 2014-15. She was made an Honorary Alderman in December 2021.
David Stewart Bell
David Bell served on the Council from 2000 to 2019 representing the Meriden Ward. During this time he had various roles including being a member of the Cabinet from 2004 - 2008, holding the office of Mayor from 2008 - 2009 and chairing the Planning Committee. He was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2019.
John Anthony Windmill
John Windmill began his career as a Councillor in 1962 and served as a representative of Olton on Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and its predecessors for a total of 46 years. During this time he had various roles, including chairing the Planning Committee and the Public Works Committee and being the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group. He was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2018.
Irene Chamberlain
Irene Chamberlain served on the Council from 1996-2016 representing the Lyndon Ward. She held the office of Mayor in 2011-2012 and was Deputy Mayor in 2012 - 13. Irene Chamberlain was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2016.
Norman Davies
(22.05.1942 - 28.11.2021)
Norman Davies served on the Council from 1996-2015 representing the Olton Ward. He held the office of Mayor in 2009-2010. He was Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group from 2005 - 2009 and served as Cabinet member for Education from 2010 -11. Norman Davies was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2015.
Alan Nash
Alan Nash served on the Council from 2000 - 2015 representing the Kingshurst & Fordbridge Ward. He held the office of Mayor in 2003 - 2004, and was Leader of the Labour Group from 2014 - 2015. Alan Nash was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2015.
Mrs Sheila Mary Pittaway
Mrs Sheila Pittaway served on the Council from 1994-2014 representing the Silhill Ward. She held the office of Mayor in 2004-2005. Mrs Pittaway was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2014.
Alan William Martin
Alan Martin served on the Council from 1996-2014 representing the Bickenhill Ward. He held the office of Mayor from 2005-2006. Alan Martin was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2014.
Donald Cornock
Don Cornock served on the Council between 1983-2014 representing the Smith’s Wood Ward. He was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2014.
Ian Doxford Hedley
Ian Hedley served on the Council from 2004 to 2014, representing the Shirley East Ward. He was Leader of the Council from 2010 to 2011, and was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2014.
Dr Peter Lea
(2.12.1938 - 9.11.2016)
Dr Peter Lea served on the Council from 1987 to 2012, representing the Meriden Ward. He was made an Honorary Alderman in May 2012.
Alf Hill
Alf Hill served on the Council from 1973 to 2012, representing the Chelmsley Wood Ward. As the longest serving member, Alf Hill was designated Father of the Council. He was made an Honorary Alderman in May 2012.
Mick Corser
Mick Corser served on the Council from 1984 to 2011, representing the Chelmsley Wood Ward. He was Leader of the Council from 1996 to 1998 and was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2011.
John Graham Reeve
(18.2.1938 – 24.4.2015)
John Reeve served on the Council from 1989 to 2011, representing the Shirley East Ward. He held the office of Mayor in 2006 to 2007 and was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2011.
Graham Andrew Craig
Graham Craig served on the Council from 1989 to 2011 representing the Smith’s Wood Ward. He was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2011.
Brian Chapple
Brian Chapple served on the Council from 1972 to 1976 and from 1982 - 2002 representing the Lyndon Ward. He held the office of Mayor in 1992 - 1993 and was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2010.
Mrs Beryl Jeanne Bennett-Kellie
(14.3.1931 - 1.2.2024)
Mrs Beryl Bennett-Kellie served on the Council from 1990 to 2004 representing the Castle Bromwich Ward. She held the office of Mayor in 2001 - 2002 and was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2010.
Arthur Harper
(28.12.1936 - 15.3.2018)
Arthur Harper served on the Council from 1986 to 2002 representing the Fordbridge Ward. He held the office of Mayor in 1999 to 2000 and was made an Honorary Alderman in October 2010.