Many congratulations to former Lib Dem Borough Councillor Ray Russell on becoming an Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Chesterfield.

At Chesterfield Town Hall on Monday 18th November, former Lib Dem Council Leader, Ray Russell, was made an Honorary Alderman in recognition of his eminent service which he has rendered to the council.

Ray served as a Brockwell Councillor for almost 3 decades including as Council Leader from 2003 -11, a period when many improvements were made across the Borough.

These included the new Coach Station , the new Leisure Centre at Staveley, bringing Derbyshire County Cricket back to Queens Park, introducing the free residents' parking passes for use in some Town Centre car Parks - and working closely with Chesterfield Football Club to get its new modem stadium built. Also in this period the Council decided to keep the Council's housing stock, despite massive pressure from the then government to sell them off.

Under his guidance the Council also tried to set a good example on environmental issues by putting pv and solar panels on its own buildings such as the Coach Station, Leisure Centres and Town Hall and asking private developments to do similarly. Barratt's Derby Road site became their first housing development in the country to have a built-in solar panel on some of the homes.

Honorary alderman status is the second-highest honour the council can bestow after the freedom of the borough.

At the ceremony, Ray was presented with a scroll and signed the roll of honorary aldermen. His name will also be added to the board displayed outside the council chamber in the Town Hall.