The Civic Recognition Panel met on Tuesday 2 July 2024 to consider a nomination for recognition of a sitting Member of the Council's long service. The Panel resolved to recommend to the Council that a vote of thanks and recognition be made to the Member, that a certificate be presented at a reception, and that the title of Honorary Alderman be conferred upon them once they are no longer a Member of the Council.

Nomination for Recognition of Service to the London Borough of Bexley

The Panel considered a nomination from the Leader of the Labour Group for a sitting Member of the Council who has provided long service to the London Borough of Bexley. The report detailed the legal framework for conferring honorary titles, specifically the Freedom of the Borough and the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman, as outlined in the Local Government Act 1972.

Under Section 249(5) of the Act, the Council can admit Honorary Freemen or Freewomen who are persons of distinction and have rendered eminent services to that place or area. This honour is considered the highest award a local authority can bestow and requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Council. Bexley Council's local protocol for this award, agreed in December 2008, specifies that candidates should be current or former residents with an established connection to the Borough, who have made exceptional contributions or whose achievements bring recognition to Bexley. Historically, this honour has been awarded three times: to Sir Edward Heath in 1971, the 17th Depot Training Regiment Royal Artillery in 1979, and 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Support Squadron (Sharpshooters) in 2010.

Section 249(1) of the Act allows for the conferment of the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman on individuals who have rendered eminent service to the Council as past Members of the Council. Crucially, the Act explicitly prohibits conferring this title on sitting Councillors. This honour also requires a special meeting of the Council and a two-thirds majority vote. Bexley's local protocol, agreed in December 2011, states that former Members must have completed a minimum of three full terms of service.

Given that the nominated Member is currently sitting on the Council, the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman could not be conferred at this time. The Panel discussed the options for recognition and agreed to recommend the following to the Council:

• A vote of thanks and recognition for the Member at the July meeting of the Council.
• The presentation of a certificate to acknowledge their service at a small reception later in the year.
• That the title of Honorary Alderman be conferred on the Member at the point at which they are no longer a Member of the Council, subject to a vote of the Council to agree this and obtain the required two-thirds support.

The Panel also agreed that options for a badge or similar to be presented to the former Member when the title of Honorary Alderman is conferred should be explored. The report noted that the cost of a scroll is between £100 and £150, and a certificate of thanks would be minimal cost. Any reception or ceremony would need to be considered within the Mayor's Office budget of £6,000 per annum for catering and refreshments.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Sue Gower MBE (Chairman), Councillors Nick O'Hare and James Hunt (Substitute). Apologies were received from Councillors Andy Dourmoush and Mabel Ogundayo. Jane Foord-Divers was also in attendance. The meeting was held in the Mayor's Parlour at the Civic Offices.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 March 2024 were agreed as a correct record. There were no declarations of interest or items of late business. The press and public were excluded from the meeting during the consideration of Agenda Item 6 due to the disclosure of exempt information relating to an individual.