A FORMER Hampshire County Councillor has been given the title of Honorary Alderman in recognition of her services.

At a special meeting yesterday the county council approved the appointment of Phrynette Dickens who was first elected to the council in 2001 as the Member for Winchester Westgate. She retired in 2013.

The title of honorary alderman recognises the eminent and lengthy service of former members.

Cllr Dickens served as a Mmember of the health overview and scrutiny committee and was opposition spokesman from its inception in 2003. She also served on regulatory committee A and the social services committee.

From 2001, she represented the County Council on the Winchester Road Safety Council for almost ten years during which she served as its Chairman on two occasions. She joined the National and Statutory Joint Committees in 2005 and 2009 for Bus Lane Adjudication Service and Parking and Traffic Regulation Outside London for which she served as a concurrent Member representing the County Council.

To commemorate her work within Hampshire, the outgoing Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber presented a framed scroll to the new Honorary Alderman.

At the same meeting today, the Council also resolved to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on former County Councillor Felicity Hindson, who will be presented with her title at a future meeting.

Roy Perry has been confirmed as the new leader replacing Ken Thornber who is the chairman of the council this year.