It's a great pity that former High Street Ward councillor Fran Wilson was not in the council chamber last Wednesday to hear all the wonderful things said about her.

Her old colleagues rushed to sing her praises in support of a motion by Cllr Fay Gooch (Ind) that Mrs Wilson should be made Maidstone Borough Council's first ever Honorary Alderman.

The post is entirely ceremonial but can be awarded to anyone who has given "eminent service" to the council.

Mrs Wilson served as a Lib Dem councillor for 22 years, was leader of the Lib Dem group from 2007 to 2018; and leader of the council twice: firstly in 2007/8 and again from 2015 to 2018.

During that time she had also served on every council committee and had been chairman of most.

Cllr Gooch described her as "a consummate politician and a great strategic thinker."

Cllr Denise Joy (lib Dem), who worked with Mrs Wilson in High Street Ward, said she had possessed an enormous depth of knowledge about council affairs.

Cllr John Perry (Con) said: "I can't think of any body better suited to be our first alderman."

Cllr David Burton (Con) noted that the role of Alderman required its holder to be apolitical in public.

He joked: "As she has been such a formidable political opponent, I shall be only too happy to support her appointment."

The council voted unanimously in support of her appointment.

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