Issue - meetings

Report CSD22023

At a special meeting on 18^th October 2021, the Council had considered a motion proposing the award of Freedom of the Borough to Emma Raducanu, a resident of the borough, following her remarkable achievement in winning the US Open Tennis Championship.  The issue had been referred to this  Committee to consider a suitable celebration of Ms Raducanu’s achievements. At its meeting on 30^th November 2021 the Committee agreed that it would be useful to have some criteria for making future awards, in the same manner as for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen. A proposed Scheme of Appointment for Honorary Freemen was submitted (Appendix B), along with an updated Scheme of Appointment for Honorary Aldermen (Appendix A).

A Member commented that consideration should be given to having a Free-Woman of the Borough title, and to removing paragraph 3.1 (viii) of the proposed Scheme. It was confirmed that any privileges granted to Honorary Freemen would be entirely at the discretion of the Council.

Members supported the proposals with the following amendments - 

·  In 3.1 (iv) of both schemes the word “review” should read “receive.”

·  In 1.1 of the Honorary Freeman Scheme, the words “Normally such service will have been wholly or largely unpaid” were unnecessary and should be deleted. 

RESOLVED that, subject to the amendments outlined above, 

(1) The Scheme of Enrolment for Honorary Aldermen be approved as updated (Appendix A.)

(2) The Scheme of Enrolment for Honorary Freemen (Appendix B to the report) be approved.