Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Civic Sub-Committee to the Constitution Committee in relation to the following:

?         Honorary Aldermen and Freemen

?         Freedom of the Borough – 1^st Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Cheshire)

?         Flag Flying Policy

The Committee considered a report setting out the recommendations of the Civic Sub-Committee at its meeting on 3^rd August 2010 in relation to the following:

?       Honorary Aldermen and Freemen

?       Freedom of the Borough – 1^st Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Cheshire)

?       Flag Flying Policy

Honorary Aldermen and Freemen

The Civic Sub-Committee had previously considered a report on matters relating to the Honorary Aldermen and Freemen of Cheshire East Council who had been admitted from the demised authorities.

Cheshire East Council now needed to consider its own arrangements. A draft Scheme had been drafted for Members’ consideration as attached as Appendix 5 to the report to the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee had resolved that the draft scheme be recommended to the Constitution Committee subject to the following:

1.      for the purposes of the scheme, the term ‘eminent service’ shall mean a minimum of 12 years’ service, whether consecutive or otherwise;

2.      the rights and privileges previously afforded to County Honorary Aldermen as set out in Appendix 4 shall be conferred on newly-appointed Honorary Aldermen in Cheshire East and incorporated into the scheme accordingly, subject to the following amendments:

a.      parking passes shall be provided for Westfields and Macclesfield Town Hall

b.      a life pass to Tatton Park and its facilities shall be granted to an Honorary Alderman and one guest

3.      the rights and privileges conferred on Honorary Aldermen under this Scheme shall also apply to newly-appointed Honorary Freemen; and

4.      where the title of Honorary Freeman has been conferred on a body or organisation, an appropriate representative of that body shall be invited to attend any relevant functions.

The Constitution Committee considered the Sub-Committee’s recommendations.

Members agreed that for the purpose of calculating 12 years’ service, Members who had served on both the County and a District Council within Cheshire East, or on the shadow authority, should have the number of years’ service on each body taken into account separately.

Members also had regard in particular to the arrangements for providing Honorary Aldermen and Freemen with access to parking facilities and to key civic functions such as the County Show and the RHS Show. Members felt that any arrangements should apply indiscriminately to all Cheshire East Aldermen and Freemen irrespective of the rights and privileges bestowed on them by individual legacy authorities. Members also recognised the need to consider carefully the potential resource implications of any such privileges.

During consideration of this matter, Members also felt that the arrangements for serving councillors should also be clarified, particularly with regard to attendance at civic functions.

It was clear from the discussion that more information was required in certain areas and that some aspects of the scheme would need to be deferred for further consideration.

RESOLVED

That the draft scheme relating to the appointment, rights and privileges of Honorary Aldermen and Freemen as set out at Appendix 5 to the report to the Civic Sub-Committee be recommended to Council for adoption and incorporation into the Constitution subject to the following:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19