Proposing Dermot Roaf as Honorary Alderman of Oxfordshire County Council

Speech by Cllr Zoe Patrick delivered to Council on Tue 8th Sep 2009

Alderman Dermot Roaf

I have great pleasure in proposing that Dermot Roaf CBE be an Honorary Alderman of this Council.

Dermot was a councillor here for 28 years, serving in that time as both Deputy Leader of the Council and also as Group Leader for the Liberal Democrat group twice. I think he served on virtually every committee during his time here, but certainly in later years, he was recognised for his expertise in both audit and pensions. I am sure his expertise here could be largely due to him being a lecturer in mathematics at Exeter College! He was also our representative on the Standards Board. He served on the LGA Human Resources Panel and again his huge knowledge in this area was very much appreciated by us all. Indeed, if there was any matter that we needed an insight into the history or a view into the past of what happened in this council, one only had to ask Dermot - remembering that it be would a long history lesson - "don't ask" I used to tell myself, if I was in a hurry! However, this only goes to show how well he will fitted into this role.

I have known Dermot for all the years I have served on the council and during that time became Deputy Leader of the Opposition whilst he was Leader. I do remember that it was quite difficult for him at that time because he had gone from taking a position in the Cabinet in the then joint administration, to one of being in Opposition - I recall his frustration and in particular at the title 'Leader of the Opposition'. I can hear him now saying "Well what does that mean?" Well exactly - what does it mean? In my fourth year of the role I can easily understand why he wished to hand on the reins!

However, Dermot does clearly understand that there is life outside politics and we can all sympathise with his desire to spend much more time with his grandchildren. Dermot has the enviable position of having his children strategically placed around the globe so that he can enjoy 'holidays' at the same time as family visits - but perhaps even more enviable is the fact that he can come home to Oxford with his wife Caroline and enjoy their own time together too. I hope that during his time in Oxford, he will be able to come in and spare us some of his own company - in the Members' Lounge or popping in to see us. I am sure he will also be happy to take up his officiating role when requested to do so - and he will perform that very competently. And he will still have plenty of time for bellringing - a pastime which he thoroughly enjoys.

Congratulations to Dermot for being one of the first of Oxfordshire's Honorary Aldermen - we look forward to welcoming you back to the fold!