Content

13.1

The Chief Operating Officer submitted a report
detailing a proposal to run a short and focussed campaign seeking
public nominations for Sheffield
Legends.
 
Sheffield Legends recognises people from
Sheffield, or those who have a deep association with the city, who
have achieved national or international acclaim. The Legends are
celebrated with their names on a plaque on the paved area outside
of the Town Hall. We now have an opportunity to relaunch
them.
 
All of the nominations received would be
considered in line with the process agreed by Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee on 5 December 2022 which set out a
refreshed approach to civic awards across three types of award
given to celebrate achievement: the Lord Mayor Award, the Freedom
of the City and Sheffield Legends. In particular, an independent
Awards Panel will consider the nominations and will make
recommendations. This report outlines the proposed approach and
activity to relaunch the Sheffield
Legends.

 

 

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) endorses the
proposed approach to a relaunch of the Sheffield Legends, including
timescales and planned activity;
 
(b) agrees the
criteria for the Sheffield Legends, as set out in the report;
and
 
(c) requests the
Chief Operating Officer to progress the activity outlined in the
report, including a campaign to seek public nominations and
installation of Sheffield Legends Plaques in the city
centre.

 

 

13.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

13.3.1

As part of a
package of Sheffield’s Civic Honours and Awards, the
Sheffield Legends have real potential to help us achieve our
ambitions as a city:
 
-  to recognise and celebrate the contribution of
individuals and diversity of communities in
Sheffield
 
- to support all
three strands of the Council Plan, they look to celebrate the
achievements of individuals and groups that contribute in many
different ways to a vibrant and thriving city

 

 

13.3.2

The Sheffield Legends present an opportunity to promote the city
and celebrate outstanding individual achievement and to utilise the
revitalised public realm in the area of Pinstone Street and
Fargate.

 

 

13.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

13.4.1

Number of Legends plaques and timing/scale of ceremonies: Whilst
we might normally award up to one legends plaque annually, to
ensure that the award remains special and because of financial
constraints, we believe there is an opportunity this year to run a
distinct and focused nominations process and which could mean that
we award and install a greater number of Sheffield Legends in
2025/6

 

 

13.4.2

Nominations: We have a choice as to whether we run a campaign
for public Legends nominations at all, or we do it separately or as
part of the wider nominations process which includes the Lord Mayor
Awards. 500 nominations were received in 2024 for the Lord Mayor
Awards and there is the potential risk that the messaging around
the Sheffield legends and the distinct criteria for them might be
lost in the wider enthusiasm that accompanied the nominations for
the Lord Mayor Awards. Carefully prepared communications activity
for the nominations would help to increase awareness of how to
nominate and the different types of civic
honours.