Issue - meetings

Council at its meeting on 4 November had resolved to grant a freedom of the District.  Members considered a report which sought to update Members on this matter, having received communication from the proposed recipient.

The report outlined the recipient’s current position, together with a proposed way forward in light of this information.

Debate ensued and a Member raised another Freedom he was aware of in another Authority area, which had been accepted and questioned whether the Policy had changed.

Another Member was of the view that if the Freedom was not acceptable it should be withdrawn, not the Policy be amended.  This view was not shared across the Chamber.

The original proposer of the Freedom, indicated to the Chamber that Council was acting on the advice of the recipient, which Council must acknowledge.  He considered it a reasonable compromise and considered honouring the organisation in some way was more important than the way in which the honour was titled.

Some Members sought indication as to whether the recipient’s mind could be changed, offering alternatives ways in which they considered the Freedom may be exercised. 

After much debate, the Leader undertook to discuss the points raised with the appropriate ceremonial office whilst investigating the adoption process.  The decision under consideration  would not prevent a Freedom being honoured in the event that a working solution could be found. 

On that basis it was RESOLVED that:

(a)         the awarding of an adoption to the organisation named with the report be approved in principle;

(b)         delegated authority be granted to the Governance and Audit Committee to introduce a process by which “adoptions” can be granted going forward as part of the Civic Honours Policy; and

(c)         subject to (b) above being completed, the recipient be invited to Annual Council in May to receive their “adoption”.