THREE Dudley Council stalwarts with a combined public service spanning more than 120 years are set to be given the coveted freedom of the borough and alderman honours.

Councillor David Sparks and former councillors David Caunt and Pat Martin are in line for the top civic titles.

An extraordinary meeting of the council has been called to discuss proposals to hand Cllr Sparks and David Caunt the freedom of the borough, while Pat Martin is set to be made an honorary alderman.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, said: “Some people go above and beyond in their public service, dedicating their lives to helping others and improving their communities.

“Here we have three councillors who have more than a century of service to local government, and we should celebrate that.

“I am pleased we have an opportunity to look at bestowing these coveted titles on three of our longest serving councillors.”

Cllr Sparks is currently the longest serving member of the council, still serving as cabinet member for finance and former leader of the council, most recently from 2012 to 2014.

The Quarry Bank councillor was first elected to the West Midlands County Council in 1977, and later Dudley Council where he has held several key positions, including chairing the economic development, leisure and development and economic vitality committees.

Cllr Sparks received the OBE in the Queen’s honours list in 2003 and in 2014 he was elected chairman of the Local Government Association.

David Caunt retired from the council in May 2015, after roles as mayor of the borough in 1983/4 and leader of the council from 2004 to 2009.

He first was elected to the County Borough of Dudley in 1970, where he served continuously as a councillor for the Sedgley ward until his retirement and he was also chairman of a number of committees including social services, finance, education and policy.

Mr Caunt received the MBE from the Queen for services to local government in 2010.

Pat Martin served on North Bedfordshire Council from 1974 to 1983 before she was elected to the Amblecote ward of Dudley Council in 2000 where she served until 2015 when she retired.

Mrs Martin is a former mayor of the borough and also served as cabinet member for personnel, legal and property.

The council will be asked to approve the titles at the extraordinary meeting on July 13 and, if approved, a formal presentation will be arranged for later in the year.