A COUNCILLOR, a doctor and a former Warrington Hospital boss have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

Cllr Ian Marks, Dr Tracey Cooper and Norman Banner have all been made members of the Order of the British Empire, it has been announced.

First moving to Lymm in 1971 with wife Pam, Cllr Marks has been a member of Lymm Parish Council since 1979.

The Liberal Democrat councillor was elected to Warrington Borough Council in 1983, and was council leader from 2006 to 2011.

A governor at Statham Community Primary School, he was given his MBE for services to the community having helped to found Lymm Festival 20 years ago and served the Warrington Housing Association as a board member for three decades.

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Marks, of Whitbarrow Road in Lymm, said: “It’s a great honour to be given this award and I was very shocked when I received the letter.”

Mr Banner, from Lymm, was awarded his MBE for public and charitable services.

A former chairman of North Cheshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Warrington Hospital NHS Trust, he was also chairman of St Rocco’s Hospice for seven years before leaving the post in October.

Warrington Guardian:

Meanwhile, Dr Cooper was given her MBE for services to midwifery.

Dr Cooper joined Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as head of midwifery in January 2017.

Having worked in this area for 25 years, the Care Quality Commission special advisor sits on the British Journal of Midwifery’s editorial board and has also assisted midwives in Bulgaria.

The 53-year-old was awarded a fellowship by the Royal College of Midwives in June.

Warrington Guardian:

Dr Cooper said: “I have always tried to ensure all women have the best childbirth experience possible, which has been my motivation for developing services and supporting midwives to give high quality care in all settings.

“I am thrilled and honoured that my contribution to supporting my profession and the maternity services has been recognised in this way.”