Decision details

The Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support presented the report regarding the Notice of Motion to offer the Freedom of the City to the three emergency services and set out the responses from the organisations concerned. Members were asked to consider whether the Freedom of the City should be offered to the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and the South West Ambulance Service Trust, in recognition of the service they give in going above and beyond the call of duty for the citizens of this great City 24/7, 365 days a year without thought for themselves.

Councillor Newby having given notice under Standing Order no.44 spoke on this item. He raised the following points:-

·         this proposal was to honour the work of the three emergency services in particular for their response to the Giraffe bombing and the fires at the Royal Clarence Hotel, Riverside and a local TV retailer;

·         to offer them the Freedom of the City was a way of thanking these emergency services for all that they do; and

·         it would be a massive boost to the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and the South West Ambulance Service Trust in these times of cut backs.

The Leader stated that the emergency services did a fantastic job in serving the city and keeping the public safe. The fire at the Royal Clarence Hotel was a big demonstration of this and they worked with the Council to ensure no loss of life and that people felt safe. The Council was eternally grateful for the work of all members of the emergency services and all that they did to keep residents and visitors safe. However, the Council had to decide whether offering the Freedom of the City to all emergency services, while excluding others also serving the public, was the appropriate thing to do. The Council should be lobbying the Government to end austerity which was putting the frontline services under strain and instead ensure maximum support for their work.

The Leader reiterated that the Emergency Services did a fantastic job in Exeter and the Council were indebted to them. This Council could not ignore the ongoing cuts to staff and services and would continue to campaign for financial compensation for all public sector workers. This was the best way for this Council to demonstrate its ongoing commitment and support to its partners and all those who worked so hard to keep the city safe.

The Leader proposed that to offer the Freedom of the City to the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and the South West Ambulance Service Trust was not the appropriate way forward.

This was seconded by Councillor Sutton.

Councillor Leadbetter proposed that the Freedom of the City be offered specifically to Exeter’s Police, Fire Authority and Ambulance Service. This was not seconded.

The majority of the Members, whilst fully recognising the valuable and difficult job that the emergency services in the city undertook, felt that the Leader’s proposal was the right way forward. There was discussion regarding the criteria against which nominations were considered and possible, and need for a review of the criteria. It was also felt that any proposal to offer Freedom of the City should recognise Exeter based elements of the emergency services.

The Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support clarified that the proposal did meet two of the four criteria.

RECOMMENDED to Council that to offer the Freedom of the City to the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and the South West Ambulance Service Trust was not the appropriate way forward.