Honorary Alderman titles bestowed on former councillors

Article date: 24 April 2023

Patricia Jackson, Anthony Johnson, Allan Jones and Joseph Pearson all had the honour bestowed on them at a council meeting on Wednesday 19 April.

All four have long served the borough as councillors, dedicating their time to helping the communities they served.

Patricia Jackson served on Bold Parish Council from 1995 and represented Sutton and Bold ward from 1996 to 2000 when she served as Mayor of St Helens Borough in 1999/2000. Born in Clock Face, living in Eccleston for three years before moving to Moss Bank, Patricia was re-elected to the Sutton ward where she served from 2014 to 2022, stepping down to spend more time with her family.

Anthony Johnson served as a councillor from 1995 to 1999 for Grange Park where he became deputy chair of education before stepping down to focus on his job involved in the delivery of new facilities and Whiston and St Helens Hospitals. He rejoined the council in 2011 as a councillor for Bold and served as a Cabinet Member for HR and IT before covering all Corporate Services. He stepped down due to health issues in 2019 but was re-elected for a further year in 2021/2022 in Sutton.

Allan Jones was born in Carr Mill and went on to serve as a councillor for Rainford from 2011 to 2022 and also as a Rainford Parish Councillor, including one year as chairman.

Finally Joseph Pearson served as a councillor for Billinge and Seneley Green from 2007 to 2022. Among the important roles he held during that time include being a Cabinet Member for children's services. He was also the Mayor of St Helens Borough for 2017/18.

Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "Aldermen Jackson, Johnson, Jones and Pearson dedicated significant years to the service our borough. It takes courage to put yourself forward for election at any level, and it takes a lot of hard work to make a positive impact if you're successful. They have each done that, and this recognition of their efforts is fully deserved. Our council and the Borough thanks each of them for their service."