It was moved by the Right Worshipful, the Lord Mayor Councillor June Hitchens and seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Chohan Abid and then decided unanimously –

That this Council hereby records its view that the powers entrusted to it by law of recognising persons who have rendered eminent service to the Council as a former member, would be fittingly exercised by admitting to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the City, Andrew Fender and Nilofar Siddiqi, who both rendered meritorious service to the City as a Councillor for over 32 and 33 years respectively. 

Andrew Fender was first elected as a Councillor for the Old Moat Ward of the City in 1986.  

During his membership of the Council he has served on numerous committees, including serving as Chair of the Planning Committee from 1988 to 1990, Chair of Environmental Planning from 1996 to 1999 and Chair of Development Control and Traffic Regulation Committee from 1999 to 2000. In addition, he also served on the Education and Finance Committee, the Passenger Transport Authority and Mersey Valley Joint Committee. Andrew was also the Council’s representative on Transport for Greater Manchester Committee for many years.

Nilofar Siddiqi was first elected as a Councillor for the Harpurhey Ward of the City in 1982 and then for Gorton North Ward in May 2006.  During her membership of the Council she has served on numerous committees of the Council, including Highways, Leisure Services, Recreation, Cultural, Equal Opportunities, Neighbourhoods Services, Policy and Resources, Housing, Art Galleries and Health Scrutiny.

Mr Fender’s and Mrs Siddiqi’s intellect, ability, integrity, affability and enthusiasm for public service have earned them both the highest regard and respect of everyone who knows them, and in the opinion of the members of this Council, Andrew Fender and Nilofar Siddiqi are distinguished former colleagues for whom it is fitting to admit to the Roll of Honorary Aldermen.

The Council accordingly resolves that pursuant to the powers contained in Section 249 of the Local Government Act, 1972, Andrew Fender and Nilofar Siddiqi are hereby admitted to be Honorary Aldermen of the City.

Honorary Alderman Fender and Honorary Alderman Siddiqi were then received by the Lord Mayor and were presented with a gift. Both then addressed the Council by way of thanks.  The Lord Mayor then installed them on the Aldermanic Bench.