COUNCIL officials are to see what can be done to try and get more deserving people from Wellington recognised by King Charles III in the annual New Year’s Honours and Birthday Honours Lists.

Cllr John Thorne, speaking at Wellington Town Council’s policy and finance committee on October 12, said he was disappointed that not more people from the area were being officially recognised for their efforts locally.

“I always notice people from across the county being named on the lists of those receiving awards, but Wellington rarely gets mentioned,” he said.

“I can think of three people now off the top of my head who I think deserve an award …. and “no” – that doesn’t include me!

“I would like to see us as a council put some genuine thought into doing something. I would suggest us setting up a working group to look at getting local people recognised in the King’s honours – I do feel the people of Wellington are missing out.

“So much good work goes on in the town and yet nobody is being recognised for their efforts. If they were in Taunton, Bridgwater or Yeovil they would be.”

Councillors said during the meeting that the last person they could remember from Wellington receiving a national recognition in the Monarch’s twice-yearly awards was community champion Madge Covey who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2020.

And although councillors agreed that more people from Wellington should be recognised, they had reservations about how much involvement the council could have in making nominations.

Cllr Andy Govier said: “There are lots of deserving people in Wellington who should have been nominated down the years.

“But I have a nasty feeling that this could backfire on us and we could be put into an awkward position – damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

The Mayor, Cllr Mark Lithgow, added: “If we put the town council stamp on nominations it might come back to bite us.”

Councillors were concerned that they might get criticised for nominating certain people rather than others.

It was said during the meeting that individuals can nominate people to win the award, while a town council nomination would not have any added advantage.

Cllr Mike McGuffie said: “If we as a council could be used to facilitate individuals nominating individuals then I’d be in favour of it.”

Councillors agreed to ask the council’s chief executive Dave Farrow to go away and look to see what could be a good way forward.

To nominate someone for the King’s Honours List people can find out more information by going online to www.nominate-uk-honour.service.gov.uk .

People get honours for achievement like making a difference to their community or field of work, enhancing Britain’s reputation, long-term voluntary service, innovation and entrepreneurship, changing things with an emphasis on achievement, improving life for people less able to help themselves and displaying moral courage.