Midsomer Norton Town Council Civic Honours Policy
Background
In 2011 Midsomer Norton Town Council established a Civic Awards Event Day to be held in mid-June each year (marking Mid-summer Day – the Feast of St John the Baptist) to celebrate and publicly acknowledge the work done by individuals and groups in the community, taking over the Midsomer Awards from the Midsomer Norton Society.
In 2013, Council agreed to consider establishing a policy for Civic Honours in addition to Civic Awards. This policy sets out the process to be adopted by the Council to consider and bestow Civic Honours.
The Legal Framework
Section 249 (5) of the Local Government, as amended by Section 29 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development & Construction Act 2009, allows the Council of a relevant authority (including a Town Council) to admit to be Honorary Freemen or Honorary Freewomen of the place or area for which it is the authority:
- Persons of distinction and
- Persons who have, in the opinion of the authority, rendered eminent service to that place or area.
A resolution must be passed:
- At a meeting of the relevant authority which is specially convened for the purpose and where notice of the object of the meeting has been given and;
- By not less than two-thirds of the members of the relevant authority who vote on it.
A relevant authority may spend such reasonable sum as it thinks fit for the purpose of presenting an address or a casket containing an address to the person or organisation on whom the authority has conferred the honorary freedom.
Criteria
Freemen or Freewomen awards will be considered as recognition for one or more of the following:
i)For exceptional public service to the benefit of the town/community of Midsomer Norton over a number of years.
ii)For outstanding achievement and/or for bringing honour on Midsomer Norton through that achievement.
Freedom may only be awarded to the living – not posthumously. There is no requirement to live in Midsomer Norton itself to qualify but in all cases the service or achievement being recognised must clearly relate to Midsomer Norton.
The Process for Nomination
The Town Council will publicise the Midsomer Awards every year and invite nominations from the community. Nominations for these awards will be considered at a regular Town Council meeting at which time the Council may also review whether there are individuals within the community who should be considered for this exceptional Civic Honour.
If any individuals are considered to meet the criteria set out above the Town Council will arrange a special meeting specifically convened to consider the awards of Freeman or Freewoman.
Entitlements of Freemen or Freewomen
An address bestowing an award will be produced and presented to Freemen and Freewomen together with a suitable sash which may only be worn on Civic occasions to which Freemen and Freewomen may be invited.
The Town Council may also, on occasion, call on all Freemen and Freewomen, as a group, to provide a specific perspective on key issues affecting the town providing always that any subsequent decisions are taken by elected Members of the Council in a lawfully called meeting.
The power to rescind any ‘Freedom’ remains with the Council and would be voted on in the same way in which it was granted.
Adopted 5thDecember 2016
Minute Reference 129
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