Published on:
02
October 2023
Clackmannanshire’s former Provost Derek Stewart has been awarded the Freedom of the County.
The ‘Freedom’ is the highest honour Clackmannanshire Council can bestow and the honour was granted to give public recognition to Derek Stewart’s extraordinary record of service.
The decision to confer the ‘Freedom of Clackmannanshire’ on Mr Stewart was unanimously made at the Council meeting in February 2023.
Derek Stewart was first elected to Clackmannan District Council in May 1988 and retired from public office in 2022. He is the only Councillor to have served as Provost on three occasions.
Mr Stewart said: “I was absolutely delighted to be presented with the Freedom of Clackmannanshire by Provost Balsillie.
“I would like to thank all my colleagues and friends at the Council, past and present, for their support, kindness and friendship over the years, especially Councillor Craig Holden for putting me forward to receive this honour.
“It was an absolute privilege to serve my community for over three decades as a councillor and three times as Provost, and this latest honour is just so wonderful to receive. I am so proud.”
The presentation was made by Provost Donald Balsillie, who said: “It gave me great pleasure to present Derek with the Freedom of Clackmannanshire, the highest honour the Council can bestow on an individual.
“Derek served his community well as a councillor for over 34 years and was a trusted colleague and friend to many on the Council - right across the political spectrum.
“Due to his long and distinguished service and his unique contribution both on the Council and in his community the Council unanimously agreed to bestow Derek with this honour.”
During Mr Stewart’s years of service he conferred the Freedom of Clackmannanshire to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and to Sir George Reid, the former MSP.
He represented the Council at the official opening of Clackmannanshire Bridge in 2008 and the re-opening of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line in the same year.
And in 2009 he hosted the official openings of the newly built Alloa Academy and Lornshill Academy.
Mr Stewart was also branch secretary for the GMB Union for about 25 years.