Richard Branston conferred as Honorary Alderman of the City of Exeter
Published: 21 October 2024
Members of the Council have agreed to confer the title of Honorary Alderman to recently retired former councillor Richard Branston.
Honorary Alderman is a title given in recognition of the eminent services to Exeter City Council during the period former councillors were members of the Council.
Mr Branston, who was a ward councillor for more than 20 years, was proposed for the honour by Cllr Matt Vizard at an Extraordinary Council meeting at the historic Guildhall.
Cllr Vizard said: “I am delighted to propose that Council confers the title Honorary Aldermanship to my dear friend and former councillor Richard Branston.
“We can all agree, regardless of political allegiances, that Richard has been a fantastic servant to the public and to our city.
“His legacy in Newtown continues with the recent installation of extra lighting along the path in Belmont Park to provide safety and security, which was a long-held campaign. It was the last of very many successes on his part.
“Always putting others first and never grandstanding, Richard is a truly modest man. He is also a joy to be with - kind, decent and great company.
“I can think of no-one more deserving of the honour of Alderman than Richard Branston.”
Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “Richard has been a fantastic councillor for Newtown and St Leonard’s for 24 years. He’s always represented his constituents with dedication, and he’s been re-elected many times with huge majorities, which tells you something.
“I am so pleased that Council has agreed to confer Aldermanship to him – it is richly deserved.”
Under the Local Government Act 1972, the City Council may “confer the title of Honorary Aldermen on persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Council as past members of that Council.”
There have been 17 Honorary Alderman of Exeter City Council, starting with Richard van Oppen in 1981. The last was Yolonda Henson in 2023.
A ceremony will be held at Exeter historic Guildhall in due course.