Former Councillor Pope presented with prestigious Honorary Alderman status
- Edward ‘Eddie’ Pope presented with Honorary Alderman status at Special Council Meeting
- Former Councillor Pope served as a Conservative Member for 20 years on West Lancashire Borough Council
- Honorary Alderman is the highest recognition of Eminent service that can be given to former councillors
Former West Lancashire Borough Councillor Edward ‘Eddie’ Pope was officially presented with Honorary Alderman status at a Special Council Meeting yesterday (14 October).
He was presented with an Honorary Alderman Scroll and a Council Shield.
Being made an Honorary Alderman is the highest recognition of eminent service that can be given to former councillors.
On receiving the award, Mr Pope said: "My primary aim as a councillor has always been, first and foremost, to help residents with their needs, be it planning, refuse collection, flooding, housing, highways or whatever came up.
"I get on with most people, whatever their political persuasion and am a firm believer in meeting face to face to sort things out.
"At Committee level, I have tried to play to my key strengths of finance and planning, and to use these to the best of my ability to achieve positive outcomes.
"I have enjoyed my time as a councillor and hope I’ve done the role justice over the years. I could not have done it without the support of all my residents from Newburgh, Lathom, Hoscar, Burscough, Rufford, Holmeswood and Mere Brow; my fellow councillors, officers and finally, my family.
“Thank you to everyone."
Mr Pope, who has lived in West Lancashire most of his life having been raised on the family farm in Aughton, served as a councillor for 20 years, from 2006 to 2026.
He served Newburgh until 2023, then Burscough Bridge and Rufford up to the last local elections.
During his time as a councillor, Mr Pope served as Chair of the Planning Committee and Audit & Governance Committee.
On top of his local council commitments, Mr Pope served as a Lancashire County Councillor from 2017 to 2025. During this time, he chaired the Lancashire County Pension fund for eight years and was a Member of the Health Scrutiny Committee.
He was a Designated Mental Health Champion, working with various groups across Lancashire.
Outside of his Councillor commitments, Mr Pope has undertaken a lifelong career in the NHS in a variety of roles including as an accountant, Director of Finance, Non-executive Director, Vice Chair of North West Ambulance Service and, latterly, Governor Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
Alongside work and his councillor role, Mr Pope has enjoyed involvement in sport as a football player and referee, playing his first match in the Ormskirk Sunday League in 1967, refereeing his last match in 2014. He is also an avid Evertonian.
Councillor David Whittington, Leader of the Council, said: "For almost three decades, Eddie epitomised what is needed to be a great local councillor.
"His passion, drive and loyalty to the community he served is a testament to his compassionate character.
"Additionally, he was a staunch supporter of protecting the Borough's Green Belt, influential in expanding leisure services throughout the Borough, particularly Burscough Leisure Centre and football pitches.
"Directly supporting his constituents was also a key motivator for Eddie and he played a crucial role in the introduction of speeding restrictions on local roads.
"Eddie's tireless work to help improve mental health services in West Lancashire and beyond was instrumental in bringing in change and vital funding, especially during 2020 and the covid pandemic. This included supporting and promoting the development of Hope Street in Ormskirk.
"I would like to thank Eddie for his dedication and commitment to local politics for almost 30 years. It has been a pleasure to serve alongside him for a portion of that time."
