Report to follow.

A special meeting of the Council had been called in order to confer honorary titles under section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members noted that the titles of ‘Honorary Alderwomen’ or ‘Honorary Aldermen’ were conferred in recognition of eminent past services to the Council.

The role attracted no remuneration and involved no entitlement to take part in decision-making. Holders of these titles might attend and take part in such civic ceremonies as the Council decided.

To be eligible for the honorary title of Honorary Alderwoman or Honorary Alderman, the person nominated must be a former councillor of this Council and not be currently a member of the Council. In addition, the person nominated must in the opinion of the Council have rendered ‘eminent services to the council’.

‘Eminent services’ connoted making a positive difference or impact over and above the carrying out of mere normal council duties to a basic or acceptable standard i.e. being ‘distinguished’ for proper reasons and in the service to the Council.

The Council could  also recognise distinguished service to the Borough through admission to the honorary title of ‘Honorary Freewoman’ or ‘Honorary Freeman’ of the Borough.

The title was honorary only and was one of the highest honours that the Council could bestow.

To be eligible to be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman or Honorary Freeman, those nominated must be persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the place or area i.e. the Borough.

“Eminent services” need to relate to the Borough, not the Council, in the context of whether to admit as an Honorary Freewoman or Honorary Freeman.

It was through this means that organisations were awarded the Freedom of the Borough. Traditionally this honour was associated with the right of Freedom of Entry for military units with the right to march, with bayonets fixed, band playing and colours flying.

The Freedom of the Borough with the traditionally associated Freedom of Entry was achieved through the use of section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 to admit the organisation to the honorary title of ‘Freewoman or Freeman’ of the Borough

Cllr Aspinell MOVED and Cllr Lloyd SECONDED recommendations 2.1 and 2.2.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED that:

1.    In pursuance of section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of the Council being of the opinion that eminent services have been rendered to the Council by former Councillors Valerie Fletcher and Anne Long, the Council confers on each of them the title of Honorary Alderwoman.

2.     In pursuance of section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of the Council being of the opinion that eminent services have been rendered to the Council by former Councillors Derek Hardy, Keith Brown (of Ingatestone), David Minns, and Ken Wright, the Council confers on each of them the title of Honorary Alderman.

Cllr Mrs Davies MOVED and Cllr Aspinell SECONDED recommendation 2.3.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

In pursuance of section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of being persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough, the Council admits 124 Essex Transport Squadron for that body to hold the honorary title to exercise the Freedom of the Borough and the associated traditional right of Freedom of Entry with the right to march with bayonets fixed, band playing and colours flying.

Cllr Mrs Davies MOVED and Cllr Aspinell SECONDED recommendation  2.4.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

In pursuance of section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of being a person of distinction and a person who has, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough, the Council admits Jane Bennett to be an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough.

Cllr Aspinell MOVED and Cllr Lloyd SECONDED recommendation 2.5.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

In pursuance of section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of being a person of distinction and a person who has, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough, the Council admits John Wyndham to be Honorary Freeman of the Borough.

Reason for decision

The Council wishes to recognise those who merit the highest awards that the Council can bestow on a person or organisation.