The Ceremonial Council of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Friday 19 May 2023 to award the Freedom of the Borough to two individuals. The council resolved to grant this honour to Ms Luljeta Nuzi and Mr Terry Miller MBE.

Award of Honorary Freedom of the Borough

The council considered nominations for the prestigious Freedom of the Borough award. This honour is the highest recognition a council can bestow upon an individual for outstanding achievements.

The Ceremonial Council resolved to award the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to Ms Luljeta Nuzi. Ms Nuzi is the co-founder of the charity Shpresa, which works to promote the participation and contribution of Albanian-speaking refugees and migrants in the United Kingdom. Councillor Saima Ashraf moved the nomination, which was seconded by Councillor Cameron Geddes.

The council also resolved to award the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to Mr Terry Miller MBE. Mr Miller is associated with the Independent Living Agency, a local charity that supports disabled people, carers, and other vulnerable residents. The agency celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021. Councillor Dominic Twomey moved the nomination, and Councillor Darren Rodwell seconded it.

The meeting also included the election of the new Mayor, Councillor Donna Lumsden, and the appointment of her mayoresses and consort. The retiring Mayor, Councillor Faruk Choudhury, and the retiring Young Mayor, Zubin Burley, were thanked for their service. The new Young Mayor, Regina Pamba, was also introduced.