Alderman Joan Garrity
Former Leicester City Councillor Joan Garrity became only the second member of Leicester City Liberal Democrats to receive the title of Alderman being invested on October 13th.
Joan joined the Liberal Democrats in 1993 helped start the Liberal Democrats in the Saffron Ward before being elected to the Leicester South Executive serving as Secretary, Vice-Chair then eventually Chair. At various intervals Joan was elected to the Regional Executive, including time as Regional Conference Chair as well as the English Council.
Elected as a Liberal Democrat for the then East Knighton Ward in the Leicester City Council Elections in 1999, with co-Councillor, Professor Bob Pritchard and internally in the Council Group was elected as Group Secretary. The Boundary Commission merged East Knighton with West Knighton Ward in 2003 and was re-elected again in the new Knighton Ward.
Joan spent a number of years with the Planning Brief, on becoming a Councillor originally advised by the Liberal Democrat Group Chair to get herself "up to speed" as it was intended after 6 months she would be Liberal Democrat spokesperson. With help from Council Officers offering tuition and legal advice two years later Joan was invited to become an advisor in the East Midlands to individuals or groups giving planning advice. At the same time Joan was asked to be a member of the City Council's Conservation Advisory Panel; members of which were spent during her "Council" life. During this period Joan was also appointed the Council Group's Equal Opportunities Spokesperson.
Joan also during her time as a City Councillor represented the City Council as a Trustee of the Bradgate Park and Swithland Woods Trust, the last year serving as Vice-Chair.
In 2001 Joan joined the City of Leicester European Twinning Association (CLETA) serving on their Executive. With CLETA, Joan worked with German and French partners, for the last two years working to get agreements signed to twin with Bulgaria; wearing the Equal Opportunities hat, worked to help womens' groups in Bulgaria. Joan was approached by our Liberal Democrat Councillor equivalent in Haskovo (Bulgaria) and gave information and help to rescue kennels there.
Joan says it is "A real honour to be presented with my regalia by the Lord Mayor Stephen Corrall, on becoming an Alderman of the City of Leicester. The previous Liberal Democrat to receive this honour was Anne Bunce."
Notes:
Leicester City Council brought back the title of Alderman - originally that of an Anglo-Saxon official - to reflect the contribution people have made to life in Leicester.
The award to Mrs Garrity recognised her service on the City Council, the constituents of Knighton and the people of Leicester.
The city's Alderman are invited to civic ceremonies but do not have the right to take part in Council meetings, committees or to receive any allowances.