JIM Parsons, a former Cotswold district councillor who died in September, has been awarded the title of Honorary Alderman.

The award for the former councillor representing the Grumbolds Ash and Avening ward was received by Cllr Parson's son, Keith Parsons.

Cllr Parsons was first elected in 1999 and served as a chairman of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Tetbury Sport and Leisure Centre Liaison Committee for a number of years.

Additionally, he held vice chair posts on the Overview and Scrutiny, Community Services Grants, Best Value and Review, and Audit committees.

He was a member of virtually every committee formed at CDC during his tenure, most notably the Planning Committee.

Aside from these roles, Jim also worked tirelessly for outside bodies, including the Stroud and Cirencester Post Office Advisory Committee, Stroud and Cirencester Telecommunications Advisory Committee, Gloucestershire Waste Local Plan Policy Panel, Social Services Consumer Group, Cotswold Canals Steering Group, Tetbury Rail Lands Development Project Board, Fosseway Housing Association, Gloucestershire Community Health Council, Cirencester Age Concern, Gloucestershire Healthy Living Partnership, and the Cirencester Citizens Advice Bureau Stakeholder Group.

In the past CDC has also awarded posthumous Honorary Alderman status to Cllr Ben Jeffrey and Cllr Barry Dare.

Deputy Leader of Cotswold District Council, Cllr Nick Parsons, commented: “Jim was an exceptionally well liked and highly regarded man who was always willing to lend assistance, calling on his natural ‘light touch’ and very wide experience across numerous portfolios over the years. He was a very active councillor and was always guided by wanting to do what was right for the people of the Cotswolds.

Leader of the Cotswold Lib Dem Group, Cllr Joe Harris, added: “Jim was able to cut through the political divide and he often offered very good advice to us all. I particularly enjoyed working with him on the County's Health and Care committee, as he shared my passion for improving ambulance services in the Cotswolds.”

His recently elected successor Cllr Richard Morgan was also full of praise: “When I was out canvassing in the Grumbolds Ash and Avening ward, the high point was talking to the local community about Jim’s achievements and discovering the affection felt by so many people. He served the town as a parish councillor for about 40 years and showed an unwavering commitment to its needs.”