Former Councillor and Mayor David Borrow Installed as 42nd Honorary Alderman of the City of Preston

In recognition of his long-standing service and commitment to the city as a past Councillor and Mayor, the title of Honorary Alderman of the City has been bestowed upon David Borrow at an extraordinary Council meeting earlier today.

At a special ceremony in the city's historic Council Chamber chaired by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Phil Crowe, David was invited to sign the Honorary Alderman Roll and was presented with a commemorative scroll. David is the 42nd Honorary Alderman of the City.

The Office of Alderman can be found within the ancient Charters of the Borough, as early as the Guild of 1397 where records show that the Guild was held before the Mayor, three stewards, 10 Aldermen and the Clerk.

Traditionally Aldermen were appointed to the position as they had many years of experience serving as Councillors and they held the respect of the rest of the Council. The official role of Alderman was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972 in 1974. Today, in recognition of the position Aldermen used to play in Council and civic life, the Local Government Act of 1972 enables councils to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on any person who, in the opinion of the Council, has rendered eminent services to the Council as a past member of the Council.

David announced his retirement from politics in May 2024. David Borrow joined the Labour Party in 1970, aged 18, and was elected as a councillor to the Preston Borough Council in 1987. David was the Council Leader for Preston between 1992 and 1994, and again from 1995 until his election to Westminster. He stood down from the Council in 1998 and he served as a Member of Parliament for South Ribble during the Blair/Brown years from 1997 to 2010.

David has served as a member of Preston City Council for a total of 24 years and was appointed the 692nd Mayor of Preston in 2019. Due to the Covid pandemic, David was one of only three Mayors in the past 100 years to serve more than a single year in the role.

Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive at Preston City Council said:

"It is most fitting that David Borrow is honoured in this way. We recognise and thank David for his long-standing contribution and dedication to public service to the people of Preston and the wider city region with the title of Honorary Alderman of the City."