Issue - meetings
Determining a Process for Submission of Nominations for the Freedom of the Borough
Meeting: 01/11/2017 - Freedom of the Borough (Item 3)
3 Determining a Process for Submission of Nominations for the Freedom of the Borough PDF 102 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Mr Mannion, Committee Services Manager, presented a report on the options for determining the process for submitting a nomination. He asked Panel Members for direction.
It was suggested a small article be placed in the East End Life paper and on the Council website to inform the community that the Freedom of the Borough Award has been reinstated.
The Panel requested the article clarifies that the Award is aimed individuals or groups who have made at exemplary contribution to the borough and is different to the Civic Awards.
The Panel agreed to a target of presenting the award to one man and one woman. The Panel also agreed that in order to retain the distinction of the award, the honour will be bestowed on individuals or groups once in a four year term.
It was clarified that this Panel will shortlist nominations and submit a selection of nominees to full Council to vote on at an extraordinary meeting. The nominees will require two-thirds of the Council vote in order to be awarded the honour.
In an effort to distinguish itself from the Civic Award, it was agreed that the process for nomination would consist of contacting the Speaker's Office directly. Panel Members agreed that the eligibility criteria should state that solely being a former Councillor is not sufficient to be put forward for nomination.
It was agreed that nominations would be open to any individual who had made a significant contribution to the borough, regardless of whether they reside in the borough.
It was confirmed the Democratic Services budget would be used to plan a small award ceremony at full Council.
RESOLVED
- The Communications Team are to place an article in the December edition of the East End Life Newspaper and Council website to promote the launch of the Freedom of the Borough Award.
- The article to note that nominations will be taken via the Speaker's Office.
- The eligibility criteria to state that solely being a former Councillor is not sufficient for nomination.
- The deadline for nominations will be mid-January 2018. Nominations will be discussed at the February meeting of this Panel.