Seven Former Wandsworth Councillors to be Honoured as Honorary Aldermen
Seven former councillors are set to be honoured with the title of Honorary Alderman for their long service to Wandsworth Borough Council.
The General Purposes Committee has recommended that the council approve the conferment of this prestigious title on Jeremy Ambache, Kim Caddy, Peter Carpenter, Jonathan Cook, Nick Cuff, John Locker, and Steffi Sutters. All seven individuals served as councillors for ten or more years, meeting the council's criterion for 'eminent services'. This ten-year tenure is presented as the established benchmark for significant contributions to the Council.
The decision to bestow the title of Honorary Alderman is made under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972. This title allows individuals to attend and participate in civic ceremonies but does not grant them the right to attend council or committee meetings or receive any allowances. While recipients may attend and take part in such civic ceremonies as the Council may from time to time decide, no informal roles or specific civic duties beyond this are mentioned.
The report presented to the committee, available in the Public reports pack 13th Oct 2026, outlined the legal framework for conferring the title and proposed arrangements for a special council meeting on 21 October 2026 to consider the nominations.
Following council approval, an award ceremony and a small reception will be held at a later date, with each recipient receiving a framed certificate. The costs associated with these arrangements, including certificates and the engraving of names in the Council Chamber panelling, are expected to be met from within existing approved departmental budgets, as confirmed by the Executive Director of Finance. A specific cost figure has not been provided.
This honour is typically conferred following the conclusion of an administration, as a way to recognise the dedicated service of former members.