FORMER leader of South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) Ann Ducker has been made an Honorary Alderman.
Mrs Ducker MBE, who died in September, was first elected to SODC in 1983 and re-elected seven times.
In 1995 she became leader of the Conservative group on the council and became leader of the local authority in 2003.
John Cotton, who has replaced Mrs Ducker as council leader, proposed that she be made an Honorary Alderman posthumously, and the ceremony took place at the council meeting on Thursday morning.
Mrs Ducker’s daughters, Catherine Tustian and Sarah Ducker, attended the ceremony at the council offices in Crowmarsh, near Wallingford. Mr Cotton said: “The ceremony lasted about 10 minutes and Ann’s name has now been added to the board of aldermen.
“Catherine and Sarah came to pick up a special scroll and to see Ann’s name added to the board.
“I think it was quite a moving occasion for them.
“Ann is now the only person to be included on all three boards — for the chairmen, the leaders and the aldermen.”
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Mr Cotton added: “It was unusual but we thought it was right that she should be given the award posthumously.”
The honour of being made Alderman is usually given to councillors who have served for more than 20 years with the authority.
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