Subject:

Honorary Freedom of the City

Date of Meeting:

15 July 2021

Report of:

Chief Executive

Contact Officer:

Name:

Mark Wall

Tel:

01273 291006

 

Email:

mark.wall@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward(s) affected:

All

 

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

 

 

1.         PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT:

           

1.1         This report asks Council to confer the honour and title of (a) Honorary Freeman of the City of Brighton and Hove on Sir Peter Field (KCVO) and (b) Honorary Freepersons of the City of Brighton and Hove on all those who helped during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

 

2.         RECOMMENDATIONS

 

2.1         That the Council admits Mr Peter Field to be an Honorary Freeman of the City of Brighton and Hove.

 

2.2         That the Council admits all those who helped during the Covid-19 Pandemic to be an Honorary Freepersons of the City of Brighton and Hove and that the award is received by the Mayor on their behalf.

 

2.3         That the Council agrees to adopt a recognition scheme as set out in paragraph 3.4 of the report and

 

2.4         That the Chief Executive be granted delegated authority to take all steps necessary to implement the scheme.

 

3.         CONTEXT / BACKGROUND INFORMATION

           

3.1         Mr. Field has served as HM Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex for thirteen years, having been appointed in August 2008. He has also served as a Magistrate for over 20 years and chaired the highly successful Brighton and Hove Business Community Partnership. Having lived in Brighton and served the city throughout his career it is proposed that he be duly recognised by the city for his distinguished service.

 

3.2         Peter has been instrumental in supporting a number of business and community initiatives and served as a member of Better Brighton & Hove. He has already received a knighthood from the Queen (Knight Commander of the Victoria Order.) This was a personal award from the Queen and is the highest of such an award and the award of the freedom of the city would be a fitting tribute to recognise all that he has done for Brighton & Hove.

 

3.3          A number of individuals from the public, business and voluntary sector have contributed to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and shown inspirational, selfless devolution in supporting the City during what has been one of the most challenging periods in its history. It is impossible to list the names of all those who contributed to the effort. A representative sample will therefore be invited to join the meeting virtually.

 

3.4         In addition to conferring the freedom of the city, it is proposed that the Council launches a year-long Covid Recognition Scheme.  Members of the public will be encouraged to nominate other people or organisations they think helped during the pandemic.  Arrangements will be made to receive nominations thought the Council’s website. A selection of nominations will be then highlighted by the Mayor at the start of every Full Council over the next year, with promotion of efforts undertaken by the council’s Communications Team. Chosen nominees will be invited to attend (physically or virtually dependent on the future of hybrid council meetings) the Full Council meeting to hear their nominations and be recognised and thanked by the council.This nomination scheme would also be open to council staff to nominate people within the council who helped during the pandemic.

 

4.            ANALYSIS & CONSIDERATION OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

 

4.1      The Group Leaders felt that there were no other suitable alternatives to the conferring of the freedom of the city.

 

5.            COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION

 

5.1      All the Group Leaders have been consulted about the proposed admission of Mr. Peter Field and all those who helped during the Covid-19 pandemic to the Freedom of the City and were in agreement.

 

6.            CONCLUSION

 

6.1         The conferral of the honour of being made a Freeman/Freepersons of the city is for the council to determine.

 

7.         FINANCIAL & OTHER IMPLICATIONS:

 

            Financial Implications:

           

7.1      There are no direct financial implications.  Any costs arising from the award of these titles are expected to be met from within existing resources.

 

            Finance Officer Consulted: Peter Francis                        Date: 02/07/21

 

            Legal Implications:

           

7.2         Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 empowers the Council to admit to be honorary freemen of the City persons of distinction or persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered imminent services to the City. The award of the title of Honorary Freeman has to be done by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting at a meeting of the council specially convened for the purpose.

 

            Lawyer Consulted: Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis             Date: 2/07/21

 

Sustainability Implications

 

7.3         There are no sustainability implications arising from the report.

 

Crime & Disorder Implications:

 

7.4         There are no crime or disorder implications associated with the report.

           

            Public Health Implications:

 

7.5         There are no public health implications associated with the report.

           

            Corporate / Citywide Implications:

 

7.6         Freedom of the City is a civic honour that can be granted by the Council on deserving recipients and is used sparingly to maintain the significance of the award. It has no associated implications with the award that would impact on the authority or citywide.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Appendices:

None

 

Background Documents

None