Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 10, 2025

Purpose:

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.