Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic & Civic Support.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that in accordance with Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor be requested to convene an Extraordinary meeting of the Council, on the rising of the Ordinary meeting of the Council on 20 July 2021, to consider granting the position of Honorary Alderman of the City to Mrs Olwen Foggin, Mrs Rachel Lyons and Mrs Lesley Robson.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the proposal to offer the position of Honorary Alderman of the City to Mesdames Foggin, Lyons and Robson, in recognition of their outstanding service to the Council and that each nominee had held the position of Lord Mayor whilst serving on the Council.

Members noted that the term of office for Mrs Foggin and Mrs Lyons, amounted to 13 and 17 years respectively, which met the criteria for the length of service, and both had held the position of Lord Mayor of the City. 

Particular reference was made to Mrs Robson, who had a combined length of service amounting to 11 years and 8 months, which was under the minimum period required for consideration for the position of Honorary Alderman. The Council was asked to make an exception, under the extenuating circumstances where Mrs Robson's term of office was affected by the Government's decision in 2010, to revoke the decision on the Council’s unitary status, which cancelled elections held in May of that year. Mrs Robson was not elected until 9th September 2010 but had held the positions of both Deputy Lord Mayor, and Lord Mayor of the City, during her term of office.

Members noted that a similar exception had previously been made when the Council approved a similar application for Honorary Alderman for Mrs Margaret Baldwin.

RECOMMENDED that in accordance with Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor be requested to convene an Extraordinary meeting of the Council, on the rising of the Ordinary meeting of the Council on 20 July 2021, to consider granting the position of Honorary Alderman of the City to Mrs Olwen Foggin, Mrs Rachel Lyons and Mrs Lesley Robson.