To approve the policy statements relating to the criteria upon which the council would seek to award Honorary Freemen/Freewomen titles.

The cabinet member for economy and corporate services introduced the report. Following the instalment of Sasha Kindred CBE as the first honorary freeman of Herefordshire the purpose of the report was to approve the procedures and criteria to be used for future nominations.

The leader of the It’s Our County! group commented that the approach suggested was very welcome and common sense. He suggested that clear criteria should be used although he recognised that it was difficult to put into words the principle behind the award.

The leader of the council responded that the criteria had been discussed but that it was hard to decide where to draw the line. The director of economy, communities and corporate stated that the criteria set out the in appendix to the report required outstanding commitment and eminent service to the county. Awards would only be made in very special circumstances.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats group urged members to be discreet in making nominations and supported the process of taking informal soundings before a formal nomination was made.

Resolved:

THAT:

(a)  The policy statement and procedure at appendices 1 for nominating honorary freemen/women is agreed and adopted;

(b)  Awards of honorary titles are limited to a maximum of 4 titles held within the county at any one time; and

(c)  The democratic services manager be delegated responsibility to oversee and administer the process of nominations.