Angus Ross has been created an Honorary Alderman of Wokingham Borough for his long service as a councillor.
The former Conservative councillor, who represented Wokingham Without ward for more than three decades before stepping down in 2022, was given the honour at a Council meeting on 24th July in recognition of his tireless work for the local community.
Alderman Ross served as Chairman of the District Council, before becoming the first Mayor when Wokingham became a Borough.
He was a member of the Council’s Executive leadership, where he drove the protection of the Borough’s environment and the introduction of the first leisure strategy, and was a distinguished member of a number of committees, most notably the Planning Committee.
For 22 years, Alderman Ross represented Wokingham on the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, where he secured new fire stations and fire engines across the Borough.
As a former pilot and staff officer in the RAF, he was vocal in ensuring the Council’s support for serving and former members of the military and their families, becoming the Borough’s Armed Forces Champion.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Leader of the Conservative Group, who proposed making Angus Ross an Alderman, said:
“During his time as a councillor, Angus demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to the Borough and its residents. His contribution has been exemplary, demonstrated through his work as an Executive Member; his service on committees and outside bodies; his membership of the Fire Authority; his role as Armed Forces Champion; and his time as Chairman and Mayor, where he acted as a superb ambassador for the Borough both to local residents and to the rest of the country.
“For his remarkable life of public service, I was proud to propose that Angus be appointed to the rank of Honorary Alderman, the highest honour that the Borough Council can bestow on a former councillor.”
Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, also a former Mayor of Wokingham Borough, added:
“I’ve known Angus longer, I think, than any other councillor past or present since I was already a councillor when Angus was elected 32 years ago, and was his fellow ward councillor for all that time. As my fellow ward councillor he was exemplary. I’ve seen his commitment and how hard he worked in all areas, how much of a team worker he was with successive Wokingham Without councillors, and how very well respected he was by the residents, whom he always did his very best to engage with and help.
“Speaking in favour of Angus becoming an Alderman is one of the pleasantest jobs I have done on the Council. As his fellow councillor I have missed Angus and his wisdom, but I am delighted he has agreed to accept this award for all his hard work and commitment to Wokingham Borough.”
