Waltham Forest Council is developing a new protocol for awarding the title of Honorary Alderperson to former councillors who have provided exceptional service to the borough.
The Audit and Governance Committee discussed the Honorary Alderperson Protocol - AG report at its meeting on 9 October 2025. The committee is recommending that the Full Council adopt the protocol, which would also apply to the titles of Honorary Alderman and Honorary Alderwoman. Waltham Forest has not previously awarded these titles.
The proposed protocol, detailed in Appendix 1 - Honorary Alderperson Protocol, outlines the criteria for awarding the title. To be eligible, a former councillor must have provided eminent, exceptional, and distinguished services to the council, above such expectations and duties that are expected of Councillors.
The documents do not provide specific examples of what qualifies as 'eminent, exceptional, and distinguished services'. They must also have served a total of 12 years on the council, although exceptions may be made in exceptional circumstances.
Nominations for Honorary Alderperson can be made by the Mayor, the Leader of the Council, or by five councillors. A resolution to confer the title must be passed by a two-thirds majority at a specially convened Council Meeting. If a nomination does not achieve the required two-thirds majority, it will not be successful.
While recipients of the title may attend and participate in civic ceremonies as determined by the council, they do not have the right to attend council or committee meetings as a councillor, nor do they receive councillor allowances or payments.
The Honorary Alderperson Protocol - AG report also suggests amending the council's constitution to reserve decisions on such awards to the Full Council. The report notes that the addition of the title Honorary Alderperson would be in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
