Ashby-based ex-councillor Rushton awarded honour for services to Leicestershire

By The View, Ashby

AN Ashby-based former leader of Leicestershire County Council has been honoured for his service.

Nick Rushton is now recognised as an Honorary Alderman and is one of three ex-councillors to receive the title.

Mr Rushton, Bill Boulter and Jeffrey Kaufman have a combined 64 years of experience.

Honorary Aldermen is a title given to highlight the exceptional service of people who have reached the end of their political careers at the county council and nominations are usually considered every four years.

Mr Rushton was first elected to the county council in 1989 and served until 1993 before being re-elected in the Valley division in the north west of the county in 2001 until 2025.

Across his 28 years as a county councillor, he was a cabinet member before becoming leader in 2012. 

As well as being leader for 12 years until 2025, he was chairman of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority.

Mr Boulter represented the Wigston South Division and was first elected in 2001. Across his 24 years he sat on various scrutiny committees, including scrutiny commission, and the environment and transport scrutiny committee. He was also a member of the employment and corporate governance committees.

He was also the chairman for the 2014-2015 county council year.

Mr Kaufman represented the Oadby electoral division and was first elected to the County Council in 1981. He served until 1985 before being re-elected in 2013, serving until 2021.

He was mainly a member of the children and families overview and scrutiny committee and the corporate governance committee. He was also vice chairman for the 2020 – 2021 county council year.

Cllr Paul Harrison, chairman of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Being a councillor is hard but rewarding work and to have such dedication to serve the people in their local communities for such a long time means they richly deserve this recognition.”