The Full Council of Lancashire County Council convened for a special meeting on Thursday, 16 July 2026, to formally recognise the distinguished service of nine former councillors by conferring upon them the status of Honorary Alderman. The meeting unanimously approved the recommendations, acknowledging the cumulative 176 years of service these individuals have dedicated to the county.

Appointment of Honorary Aldermen

The primary business of the meeting was the conferral of Honorary Alderman status upon nine former councillors: Mr Terence Aldridge, Mr Peter Britcliffe, Mr Francesco De Molfetta, Mr John Fillis, Mr Steve Holgate, Ms Andrea Dawn Kay, Mrs Jennifer Mein, Mr John Shedwick, and Mr Matthew Tomlinson. This honour is bestowed upon former councillors who have rendered eminent service to the council, with a general guideline of having served at least four terms.

Each nominee was put forward by a fellow councillor who spoke at length about their contributions and dedication to public service.

• Mr Terence Aldridge was nominated by County Councillor Mark Clifford. Mr Aldridge served for 20 years, representing Scalmersdale Central from 2005 to 2025. His service included roles as Vice Chairman and Chairman of Lancashire County Council. He was also noted as a passionate champion for older people and served on numerous committees and outside bodies, including the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority. Mr Aldridge, in his response, thanked the people of West Lancashire and the Labour Group for their support, reflecting on his time serving across Lancashire.

• Mr Peter Britcliffe was nominated by County Councillor Tim Ashton. Mr Britcliffe served Lancashire County Council for 20 years, representing Oswaldtwistle. He also served as Chairman of the County Council and had a remarkable 40-year tenure on Hindburn Council, including 12 years as its leader. His influence on local government in East Lancashire was highlighted, with a 2024 report describing him as a significant figure . Humorous anecdotes about a Christmas turkey incident and a car getting stuck on a dirt track were shared, illustrating his character. Mr Britcliffe expressed his gratitude and shared a humorous anecdote about teaching Andrew Snowden how to barrack in Parliament .

• Mr Francesco De Molfetta was nominated by County Councillor Mark Clifford. Mr De Molfetta served Preston East for 20 years, from 2005 to 2025. His contributions included work on the Commons and Towns Green Subcommittee, the Regulatory Committee, and the Pension Fund Committee. He also served on the Lancashire Leaders Group and notably chaired the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority for several years, focusing on public and firefighter safety. Mr De Molfetta thanked his proposer and his constituents, acknowledging the support of his wife.

• Mr John Fillis was nominated by County Councillor Kim Snape. Mr Fillis served two periods on the council, from 1993 to 2001 and again from 2013 to 2025, accumulating 20 years of service. His roles included Chief Whip for the Labour group, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport (overseeing the Heisham Bypass completion), and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. His quiet, sensitive and considerate approach was noted, as was his life-saving intervention in performing CPR on a collapsed former councillor. Mr Fillis also had a distinguished 45-year career in nursing. He spoke passionately about his service, including leading a delegation to China and delivering a speech in Chinese.

• Mr Steve Holgate was nominated by County Councillor Mark Clifford. Mr Holgate served for a total of 16 years, from 1997 to 2001 and 2013 to 2025, representing Chorley Central. He was a tireless champion for disabled people and chaired the Health Scrutiny Committee. His passion for environmental issues was highlighted by the memorable incident of bringing a bucket of sewage into a council chamber. Mr Holgate thanked his colleagues and shared reflections on his time in public office, including meeting Nancy Pelosi and his work on the Preston New Road fracking site.

• Ms Andrea Dawn Kay was nominated by County Councillor Alf Clemson. Ms Kay served from 2009 to 2025 and was instrumental in establishing facilities for young people, notably campaigning for a skate park. She was described as having drive and determination and not taking prisoners. Her extensive committee work included chairing the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee and the Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee. She also engaged in numerous charity events, raising money for children's causes. Ms Kay expressed her gratitude and reflected on her journey into politics, emphasizing her commitment to giving children a voice.

• Mrs Jennifer Mein was nominated by County Councillor Samara Barnes. Mrs Mein served for 20 years, from 2005 to 2025. Her significant roles included Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. She was also a lead figure on Preston City Council. Her commitment to fairness and standing up for ordinary people was praised. Mrs Mein spoke emotionally about the support she received from her husband and family, and from other women in politics, including setting up the Lancashire Women's Network.

• Mr John Shedwick was nominated by County Councillor Alf Clemson. Mr Shedwick served for 24 years, entering politics after a varied career that included being a theatre manager for the Grand Theatre in Blackpool and the Preston Guild. His tenure as Chairman of the Council in 2012, a busy year for the county, was noted. He served on numerous committees, including chairing the Best Value Committee, and was vice-chairman of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority for seven years. Mr Shedwick thanked his proposer and acknowledged the collective service of all recipients, highlighting the amazing 170 years of combined service.

• Mr Matthew Tomlinson was nominated by County Councillor Kim Snape. Mr Tomlinson served from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2025. His roles included chairing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Panel and serving as Cabinet Member for the Environment and Sustainable Development, and later for Children, Young People and Schools. He was also the leader of the Labour Group and is currently the leader of South Ribble Borough Council. He spoke about the influence of strong women in his political career and thanked his wife, Norma, for her long-standing support.

The motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman upon these nine individuals was proposed by County Councillor Stephen Atkinson, Leader of the County Council, and seconded by County Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, Leader of the Opposition. The motion was carried unanimously. The meeting concluded with congratulations to the new Honorary Aldermen and a reminder of the ordinary full council meeting scheduled for later that afternoon.