A trio of councillors were praised for their dedication to the community after completing 25 years of service.

Conservative councillors Jean Lammiman and Chris Mote and Labour councillor Phillip O’Dell received ceremonial vellum scrolls to acknowledge their time at Harrow Council at the Civic Centre on Thursday (January 16).

Several councillors – from both the Conservative and the Labour Party – were quick to champion their achievements as they thanked them for their hard work over the years.

Cllr O’Dell, who represents Wealdstone ward and is responsible for housing at Harrow Council, was first elected in Marlborough in 1990.

He was described as “the perfect councillor” by fellow Labour councillor Kiran Ramchandani, who praised his “commitment to residents, the council, the borough and the party”.

Cllr Mote was first elected in 1982 and has represented Rayners Lane ward and Pinner West ward in addition to his current position as a Pinner South councillor.

He acted as council leader between 2006 and 2008 and was Deputy Mayor of Harrow for 2009/10, representing the mayoral office at 57 events.

Cllr Jeff Anderson described him as a “gentleman who is always polite and respectful” and said he is an “example of how one should behave, not just as a councillor but as a person”.

Cllr Lammiman has worked as a councillor continuously since she was elected in 1994, currently represents Hatch End.

In 2007/08 she served as the borough’s mayor and raised more than £50,000 across the year for the Teenager Cancer Trust.

Cllr Anjana Patel described her as a “star”, referenced her work for children with mental health issues in the borough as well as her daily work as a councillor.

All three long-serving members were praised for their “willingness to help others”, including younger or more inexperienced councillors.

The current leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Graham Henson, said: “Some might say it’s just a piece of paper, but it’s what it really symbolises.

“This is not a highly-paid role and you have to put a lot of time in and make a lot of key decisions.

“You have continued to make a contribution to the people of Harrow, and you all have the heart to never give up hope and still believe you can help change the future.”

The celebrated councillors thanked everyone for their speeches and said they were “humbled” by the response.

They spoke of a “desire to serve” and explained that a “passion” for the role, as well as the “great people who make up Harrow”, are what makes them carry on.