A FORMER council leader has been made an honorary alderman.

Keith Knaggs, who is registered deaf, stepped down from his post as leader of Ryedale District Council in December last year.

He has served on the council for more than 22 years, becoming leader of the council’s Conservative group in 1995 and leader of the council in 2007.

During that time he oversaw the construction of Malton Sports Hall, the new Brambling Fields junction with the A64, the council’s contribution to Pickering Flood Defences, improvements to recycling and worked to limit service cuts and make savings as central government funding decreased.

He received his accolade at Ryedale House in Malton today (Thursday, September 5), where he was presented with a scroll and plaque.

The proposal to make him an honorary alderman was moved by Councillor Caroline Goodrick and seconded by Councillor John Clark.

Receiving his award he said: "There are so many people who have helped me along my path as a councillor - the typists without whom I would have had stood down in 1999, those who have written or e-mailed me on many topics, especially about planning, the press who generally gave me a fair crack of the whip, and officers and staff past and present who have worked with me.

"I acknowledge I have been a demanding councillor, which is how it should be, but one who conveyed a clear direction of travel and a clear understanding of the roles of councillors and officers.

"I would also like to thank all the councillors who have shared with me in our endeavours for the common good over those 22 years.

"Last but by no means least I would like to thank my wife, Vivienne, for her support and encouragement.”