Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Constitution Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendation from Constitution Committee relating to 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 considered by the Civic Sub-Committee and the Constitution Committee and it had been resolved that the draft scheme be recommended to Council for approval, subject to several changes:-

RESOLVED

That the draft scheme relating to the appointment, rights and privileges of Honorary Aldermen and Freemen as appended to the report to the Constitution Committee be approved and adopted and incorporated into the Constitution, 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. Where a Member has served on more than one former authority of Cheshire East, whether concurrently or otherwise, including the shadow authority, the service with each authority shall be taken into account separately for the purpose of determining eminent service.

2.      Honorary Aldermen of Cheshire East Council shall enjoy such privileges as may properly be conferred by the Council from time to time and in particular shall be entitled:

(1) to attend civic receptions and other civic functions or ceremonies to which all Members of the Council are invited and to be provided with a car parking pass, and where the spouses and partners of Members are able to attend so shall the spouses and partners of Aldermen;

(2) to attend meetings of the Full Council and be provided with a car parking pass and be allocated a seat in the reserved part of the Council Chamber, and receive Council papers, including Part 1 reports, by email or post as desired;

(3) to be notified on a regular basis of significant civic matters by the Democratic Services Manager, including the deaths of Members, former Members and Honorary Aldermen/Freemen;

(4) to be provided with a pass on request when visiting Council premises;

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

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;

5.      a further report be submitted to the next meeting of the Constitution Committee, dealing with the rights and privileges of Honorary Aldermen/Freemen and serving Councillors in relation to attendance at civic functions, including the County Show and RHS Show, and access to Tatton Park, the report to include any resource implications and the rationale for any charges involved.