The Mayor invited each of the Political Group Leaders to speak

Councillor Oonagh Moulton -

I am delighted to move this motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on our former councillor Margaret Brierly in recognition of her 20 years of loyal and distinguished for Raynes Park ward.   Margaret has been truly dedicated to the community in which she was born and has served and is recognised for her work not just in her ward, but across the borough.  She has been involved with many voluntary organisations over the years and has a particular interest in health issues and supporting parents.  She has also supported, and been a member of, Merton and Morden Guild for many years.  Margaret has served in senior roles, in our shadow cabinet, and has also held cabinet positions in the conservative administration 2006-2010.  Her service to the borough was honoured in 2004 when she was elected as the Mayor of Merton, the first conservative mayor to do so for some 14 years.  She reprised this role, albeit as deputy, in 2010-2011 when I was mayor.  In addition to her work on the council, Margaret has served as a school governor at Raynes Park High School and Hollymount Primary School.  In addition, she is the vice president of the Wimbledon District Benevolent Society, and committee member of the New Friends of Raynes Park Society.  I think it is hard to find anyone who has worked harder for her community and she is respected by all parties across this chamber for her energy, her integrity and her courage.  We will all miss her and particularly those on the council.  She will have more time to devote to her family and especially to her nine grand-children.   I move that this council should confer the title, Honorary Alderman to Margaret Brierly, and note that she is a worthy recipient of this honour and she should join the role of honour of other distinguished aldermen of this borough.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis –

It gives me great pleasure to second the motion of Honorary Alderman for Margaret Brierly.  The leader of the opposition has faithfully and succinctly placed Margaret as a caring councillor, passionate about health issues, cabinet member for adult social services and was on the Health and Wellbeing Board.  She was mayor of this borough 2004/2005.  What many people don’t know was that she had a Boris Johnson moment herself, which she escaped.  Most of her duties wouldn’t fit into a 9 – 5 day, and she would often leave home early and get home late after attending civic events at other London boroughs.  Councillor Brierly was fortunate enough not to have joined the other London mayors at the occasion of a visit to the London Eye, when it broke down, leaving mayors suspended in the air, on a cold winter’s night for two and a half hours in complete darkness.  Where was Councillor Brierly?  She was safely in Merton, chairing a council meeting.  For that alone, she deserves this honour!

Councillors Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Peter Southgate and David Williams addressed the meeting expressing their support for the motion.

The Mayor then called for a vote on the Motion and reminded the Council that under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, it requires more than a two thirds majority of Members passing the motion for the Honorary Alderman to be bestowed.

The vote was carried, unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That Former Councillor Margaret Brierly is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of her loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.

The Mayor presented former Councillor Margaret Brierly with a certificate affixed with the common seal of the Council conferring upon her the title of Honorary Alderman.