An Extraordinary Meeting of Council was held on Thursday 26 January 2017 at 6pm to formally appoint former councillors Margaret Forbes and David Tate as Honorary Aldermen of the City of Sunderland.
Late last year, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet backed a proposal to formally confer the title of Honorary Alderman of the City on former councillors Margaret Forbes and David Tate who had both served the city for more than 30 years.
Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Alan Emerson, said: “It was a great privilege for me to confer this honour on both David and Margaret. They each served both their respective communities and the city as a whole for many years and while doing so they earned the respect and recognition of fellow councillors from across the chamber. I wish them both great success in their new role and I am sure they will take great pride in their appointments and continue to be dedicated representatives of our city.”
David Tate, who was a councillor and community leader for the Hetton Ward for nearly 35 years until his retirement in 2014, said: “It is a great honour to receive this appointment. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career as a councillor and I look forward to further serve the city and its residents in my new role as Honorary Alderman.”
Margaret Forbes was first elected onto the council in 1983 to serve the St. Michael’s Ward and continued to represent the ward until her retirement in May 2016.
Mrs Forbes said: “I take great pride in receiving such wonderful recognition. During my time as a councillor it was very rare for me to agree with colleagues from across the chamber however in this case I’m in full agreement with David. I too would like to thank everyone who has supported me, challenged me and inspired me and I look forward to further serve the people of Sunderland.”