The Staffordshire County Council convened for a special meeting to bestow honours upon Sir Ian Dudson and sixteen former councillors. Sir Ian Dudson was granted the title of Honorary Freeman, and each of the sixteen former councillors were granted the title of Honorary Alderman, all in recognition of their distinguished service to Staffordshire.

Honorary Alderman Appointments

The council approved the appointment of sixteen former members as Honorary Aldermen, recognising their service to the council and the people of Staffordshire.

The former councillors who were appointed as Honorary Aldermen are:

• Charlotte Atkins, who represented the Leake South Staffordshire Morelands County Electoral Division from 1987 to 2025.
• Philip Atkins, who represented the Eutoxeter Rural East Staffordshire County Electoral Division from 2013 to 2025.
• Michael William Davies, who represented the Womban South Staffordshire County Electoral Division from 2013 to 2025.
• Mark Davies, who represented the Cheadle and Checkley Staffordshire Morelands County Electoral Division from 2013 to 2025.
• Janet Eagland, who represented the Lichfield Rural North Lichfield County Electoral Division from 2005 to 2025.
• John Stuart Francis, who represented the Stafford Trent Valley Stafford County Electoral Division from 2009 to 2025.
• Jill Heath, who represented the Lichfield Rural Staffordshire.
• Ian Michael Perry, who represented the Stone Rural Stafford County Electoral Division from 1997 to 2025.
• Kathleen Perry, who represented the Cheslyn Hay, Essington and Great Womban South Staffordshire County Electoral Division from 2005 to 2025.
• David S. Smith, who represented the Lichfield Rural South Lichfield County Electoral Division from 2013 to 2025.
• Stephen Sweeney, who represented the Newcastle and Lime County Electoral Division from 2009 to 2025.
• Alan White, who represented the Lichfield Rural East Lichfield County Electoral Division from 2009 to 2025.
• David John Williams, who represented the Penkridge South Staffordshire County Electoral Division from 2013 to 2025.
• Mark Winnington, who represented the Nosell and Doxy Stafford County Electoral Division from 2005 to 2025.
• Michael Worthington, who represented the Churnit Valley Staffordshire Morelands County Electoral Division from 2011 to 2025.

Councillor Ian Cooper, Leader of the Council, expressed his support for the appointments, stating that the recipients had served Staffordshire to the best of their ability. Councillor Philip White, Leader of the Opposition, echoed this sentiment, noting the extensive collective service of the former councillors.

Honorary Freeman Appointment

The council resolved to confer the title of Honorary Freeman of the County of Staffordshire on Sir Ian Dudson, in recognition of his service as Lord Lieutenant between 2012 and 2025.

Councillor Cooper thanked Sir Ian for his service to the people of Staffordshire. Councillor White acknowledged Sir Ian's exceptional service to the county, both in business and in voluntary roles, including his time as pro-Chancellor of Keele University.

Sir Ian thanked the council for the honour, acknowledging the support he received during his tenure as Lord Lieutenant.