The Mayor asked for a proposer and a seconder for the Motion of bestowing the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor Samantha George

Councillor Oonagh Moulton –

I am delighted to move this motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman for former councillor Samantha George in recognition of her 16 years of loyal and distinguished service as councillor in Village ward and for this borough.  Sam has been a pillar of the community and has been recognised for her work, not just in her ward, but across the community.  She has served with distinction in senior roles in a former shadow cabinet in education and then as finance spokesman.   She was deputy leader of this council during the last conservative administration 2006-10, during which period she was also the cabinet member for finance and corporate resources and then for change management.  She has also held the shadow portfolio for culture, leisure and health.  Her service to this borough has been exceptional.   She has served on many panels and committees for the borough, including the South London Waste Partnership Board where she has been a long standing member and including former chair of the council’s pensions advisory committee.  Sam trained as a chartered accountant and has been working for over 20 years for many major UK accountancy firms.  She has also recently been promoted to the position of outsourcing services and she has now got increased international responsibility.  It’s hard to find anyone who has worked harder in the roles than she has, and she has been respected from across all parties for her exceptional financial work and knowledge.  In addition to her service on the council, Sam has been a school governor for three schools, most recently at Ricards Lodge, and has been trustee of a number of trusts.  I move that this council should confer the title of Honorary Alderman to Sam George and it should note that she is a worthy recipient of this honour and she should join the role of honour of other distinguished aldermen of our borough.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis –

It gives me great pleasure to second the motion to confer the title of Honorary Aldermen on former Councillor Samantha George.  I notice that we are joined tonight by Sir John Wheeler, the deputy lieutenant for this borough, and we sometimes have conversations at events and I do recall Sir John Wheeler informing me that in addition to representing the residents of the borough, Councillors do go out with the borough and are seen as ambassadors and representatives of the borough as well.  This is where I want to congratulate former councillor Sam George as I do know that over the years she has represented this borough at City University, the Local Government Association, and London Councils, where we sat together on the audit committee and I do know she was and has been highly regarded for her professionalism and her financial acumen and knowledge and it was also good to know that not only was Councillor George doing a good job representing her ward, but in sterling work  in central London in particular at these august bodies.  So, it gives me great pleasure to second the motion for this honour to be conferred on former Councillor Sam George. 

Councillors Peter Southgate, David Williams and David Simpson 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.

The substantive resolution was agreed.

RESOLVED:

That former Councillor Samantha George 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 Samantha George with a certificate affixed with the common seal of the Council conferring upon her the title of Honorary Alderman.