The former leader of Test Valley Borough Council has been made an Honorary Alderman following a decision at full council.
Ian Carr MBE was the borough council’s leader for almost 20 years and was twice the mayor, with the end of his most recent term coinciding with his retirement from local government earlier this year.
At a special meeting of full council in Crosfield Hall last week, Mr Carr was conferred the title of Honourable Alderman.
Mr Carr said, “I am really honoured to have been appointed as an Honorary Alderman and I will be forever grateful. I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving as leader and twice as the mayor of the borough and I am happy to help whenever my assistance may be needed!
“While I was leader, my aim was to serve the community to the absolute best of my ability and it will be no different in this new position.”
Current leader of the council, councillor Phil North, said, “Ian has always worked for the benefit of the borough and its residents during his time in local government. I’m certain this will be no different and it was brilliant being able to confirm his appointment with my fellow councillors.”
Mr Carr was first elected as a borough councillor in 1987 and spent his first term as mayor in 1995/96. He served as leader from May 1999 until his retirement from the role in May 2017, making him the longest serving councillor in his role.
He became mayor once again in May 2018 before being appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in June in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, before retiring as a councillor earlier this year at the borough elections.
Some of the highlights during his time as leader include the acquisition of Fishlake Meadows as an area for the public to enjoy as well as the purchase of The Lights Theatre in Andover. He also fought to secure the £2.6m from the Enterprise M3 LEP and other funding for the construction of Andover College’s Future Skills and Technology Centre.