Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, updating Members on progress relating to a Freeman / Freewoman Scheme of the District of Maldon and seeking its progression.

The Council at its meeting on 25 July 2019 agreed to consider the establishment of a scheme for conferring of the honorary titles of Alderman, Alderwoman, Freeman and Freewoman of the District.  A Working Group was appointed to make recommendations on establishment of the scheme.  The Minutes of the Working Group were attached as Appendix 1 to the report.  The Working Group had produced a Terms of Reference, nomination form and guidance notes as to the route by which nominations were received and these were attached as Appendices 2 and 3 to the report.

The Leader of the Council thanked the Members of the Working Group for their work in developing this Scheme.  He proposed that the Working Group Membership be amended and be comprised of the following Members:

·                 Chairman of the Council;

·                 Leader of the Council;

·                 Leader of the Opposition;

·                 Councillors M W Helm, S P Nunn and Miss S White.

The Leader then proposed subject to the above amendment that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed.  This was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)              that the adoption of a Freeman / Freewoman Scheme for the District of Maldon encompassing the Alderman Scheme and including a revenue provision in the sum of £500 within 2020 / 21 estimates be approved;

(ii)            that subject to (i) above, the terms of reference for the Freeman and Freewoman Working Group (the Working Group) as set out within Appendix 2 to the report be agreed;

(iii)          that subject to (i) above, the change to the Membership of the Working Group as set out below be agreed:

·                 Chairman of the Council;

·                 Leader of the Council;

·                 Leader of the Opposition;

·                 Councillors M W Helm, S P Nunn and Miss S White.

(iv)           that subject to (i) above; the nomination form and guidance notes as recommended by the Working Group as set out within Appendix3 to the report be agreed;

(v)             that subject to (i) above; that the Working Group is given authority to meet and consider nominations as and when necessary and make recommendations to the Council for consideration;

(vi)           that subject to (i) above; that Council presents future recipients of the Award with a certificate as recommended by the Working Group and the use of the Council official Seal in this connection be agreed.