A POPULAR and long-serving Bournemouth councillor is set to be honoured at a special meeting next week.

Cllr Ron Whittaker, who is stepping down in May after 44 years' service, has been put forward to be admitted as an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Bournemouth.

His Independent group colleague, Cllr Anne Rey, will move a motion for his admission at a special full council meeting to be held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday April 21.

The motion suggests the council admit Cllr Whittaker "as the highest mark of esteem and honour that the council can bestow in recognition of the eminent services rendered by him to the council as a councillor since 1971 and particularly as Mayor during his tenure of this important and honourable office from May 1993 to May 1994."

The motion goes on: "By conferring this honour upon Cllr Whittaker, the council desire to acknowledge the indebtedness of the borough to him for the untiring and notable manner in which he has always discharged the arduous duties and responsibilities of the various offices he has so ably occupied."

Cllr Whittaker, who has had a particular interest in housing and planning issues, was elected to the then Moordown North Ward in 1971 and has held the seat, now called Throop and Muscliff, ever since.

He also served on Dorset County Council from from 1973 until the reorganisation of local government in 1997.

Cllr Whittaker was originally elected as a Labour councillor and the motion is expected to be supported by Labour councillor Ben Grower.

Speaking about his decision to leave the council, Cllr Whittaker told the Daily Echo: "It's going to be a big wrench because I love the ward and I love the people but I will be 71 at the time of the election and I need to take it a bit easier.

"If you're going to be a good councillor the workload is onerous. I can spend eight to 10 hours a day chasing up council issues."