Issue - meetings

To consider proposals for a homecoming parade and Freedom of the Borough award for The 1^st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire).

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion which had been submitted by the Mayor and referred to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 27^th May 2010:

“That Council approve, in principle, a homecoming parade for the 1^st Battalion Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) and that the Chief Executive be authorised to make the necessary arrangements, in conjunction with the officer commanding the Rear Operations Group, for the Freedom of the Borough to be awarded and the Homecoming Parade, in November 2010.”

The 1^st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) had recently deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan for a six month active service tour. At the conclusion of the Tour, the Regiment were planning a series of homecoming parades and had asked the Council, through the Mayor, for permission to undertake at least one parade in Cheshire East. The Mayor, Councillor Baxendale, had been in contact with the officer commanding the Rear Operations Group and the Regimental Secretary from the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment and they had indicated that the Regiment would be delighted to accept the offer of Freedom of the Borough.

A special meeting of the Council, immediately prior to a scheduled meeting, would be required to pass the necessary formal resolution. 

RESOLVED

That the Officers work up detailed proposals for the proposed homecoming parade and Freedom of the Borough award for The 1^st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) and report back to the Committee.