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Special Meeting, Full Council - Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 8.00 pm

May 21, 2025 View on council website  Watch video of meeting or read trancript  Watch video of meeting or read trancript
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Summary

The Hammersmith and Fulham Council convened a special meeting to bestow the honour of Freedom of the Borough on the Coldstream Guards, recognising their distinguished military service. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, formally moved the report and recommendations, which were then agreed upon by the council. Several councillors spoke in support of the motion, highlighting the Coldstream Guards' historical significance, their contributions to the community, and the sacrifices made by their members and families.

Freedom of the Borough Conferred on the Coldstream Guards

The council voted to confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough on the Coldstream Guards, a regiment of the British Army, in recognition of their outstanding military service. This decision was made in accordance with Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows the council to admit persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the borough as honorary freemen.

Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, emphasised the importance of recognising the sacrifices made by the members of the Coldstream Guards and their families:

So I don't just thank every single member who's here today, but I recognise the sacrifice that people's, that every single soldier's family makes. And we pay tribute to the soldiers and their families for making that sacrifice in order to be that line of defence.

Councillor Jose Afonso, Opposition Leader, highlighted the Coldstream Guards' rich history, dating back to the English Civil War, and their reputation for loyalty and courage. He also noted the contributions of No. 17 Company, the recently established Reserve Company of the Coldstream Guards, to the local community, including their participation in Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day events.

Councillor Rhee spoke of the borough's deep historic ties to the military, mentioning the use of Wormwood Scrubs as a base for military technology in the early 20th century and the use of Fulham Palace as a hospital and shelter during the World Wars. He also highlighted the council's decision to provide a 25% council tax cut for military veterans as a token of thanks for their service.

Councillor Pascoe-Tulbert spoke of the importance of recognising the service of those who willingly take arms on our behalf, defending our interests, our security and ultimately our loved ones. He also shared personal anecdotes about his friends who had joined the army, including some who had served in the Coldstream Guards.

Councillor Daly declared a non-pecuniary interest as a co-opted member of the Scottish Stuart clan, noting that the Coldstream Guards were instrumental in returning the Stuart dynasty to the throne. She also expressed her awe of the sense of duty and patriotism that drives men and women to volunteer for armed service.

Councillor Walsh, Chair of Audit Committee, Deputy Whip, and Borough Representative for the Armed Forces Community, echoed the sentiments of his colleagues, emphasising the importance of security in achieving peace and the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military.

Major Vandley Kennedy accepted the scroll on behalf of the Coldstream Guards, expressing gratitude for the recognition and honour bestowed upon them. He noted that the regiment felt at home in Hammersmith and Fulham and praised the council's support for initiatives such as the Mayor's Coldstream Guards Award.

Financial Implications

The cost of a small reception for the friends and family of the recipients will be met from the existing Mayor’s budget. There are no additional financial implications of conferring the “Freedom of the Borough” of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham on the individuals.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Jose Afonso
Councillor Jose Afonso  Opposition Leader •  Conservative •  Parsons Green & Sandford
Profile image for Councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan
Councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan  Opposition Deputy Whip •  Conservative •  Palace & Hurlingham
Profile image for Councillor Paul Alexander
Councillor Paul Alexander  Labour •  Sands End
Profile image for CouncillorAdronie Alford
Councillor Adronie Alford  Conservative Spokesperson for Housing •  Conservative •  Munster
Profile image for Councillor Stala Antoniades
Councillor Stala Antoniades  Chair of Social Inclusion and Community Safety PAC and Lead Member for Land Development •  Labour •  Brook Green
Profile image for Councillor Jackie Borland
Councillor Jackie Borland  Conservative •  Palace & Hurlingham
Profile image for Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler
Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler  Conservative •  Fulham Town
Profile image for CouncillorDaryl Brown
Councillor Daryl Brown  Deputy Mayor •  Labour •  West Kensington
Profile image for CouncillorTrey Campbell-Simon
Councillor Trey Campbell-Simon  Lead Member for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Migrants •  Labour •  Walham Green
Profile image for Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier
Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier  Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Lead Member for European Co-operation and Digital Innovation •  Labour •  West Kensington
Profile image for CouncillorLiz Collins
Councillor Liz Collins  Lead Member for Energy Crisis Support •  Labour •  Ravenscourt
Profile image for Councillor Stephen Cowan
Councillor Stephen Cowan  Leader of the Council •  Labour •  Grove
Profile image for Councillor Jacolyn Daly
Councillor Jacolyn Daly  Chair of Housing and Homelessness PAC •  Labour •  Addison
Profile image for Councillor Wesley Harcourt
Councillor Wesley Harcourt  Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Ecology •  Labour •  College Park and Old Oak
Profile image for Councillor Rebecca Harvey
Councillor Rebecca Harvey  Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety •  Labour •  Wendell Park
Profile image for CouncillorSharon Holder
Councillor Sharon Holder  Mayor •  Labour •  Lillie
Profile image for Councillor Lisa Homan
Councillor Lisa Homan  Chair of the Policy and Oversight Board •  Labour •  Coningham
Profile image for Councillor Laura Janes
Councillor Laura Janes  Lead Member for Wellbeing and Early Access to Support •  Labour •  Avonmore
Profile image for Councillor Andrew Jones
Councillor Andrew Jones  Cabinet Member for The Economy •  Labour •  White City
Profile image for CouncillorAlex Karmel
Councillor Alex Karmel  Conservative •  Munster
Profile image for Councillor Bora Kwon
Councillor Bora Kwon  Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health •  Labour •  College Park and Old Oak
Profile image for Councillor Adam Peter Lang
Councillor Adam Peter Lang  Lead Member for Culture and Art •  Labour •  Brook Green
Profile image for CouncillorAmanda Lloyd-Harris
Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris  Conservative Spokesman for Health & Adult Social Care •  Conservative •  Palace & Hurlingham
Profile image for Councillor Ross Melton
Councillor Ross Melton  Chair of Pension Fund Committee and Lead Member for Energy and Decarbonisation •  Labour •  Addison
Profile image for Councillor Omid Miri
Councillor Omid Miri  Chair of Planning and Development Control Committee •  Labour •  Fulham Reach
Profile image for Councillor David Morton
Councillor David Morton  Independent •  Avonmore
Profile image for Councillor Callum Nimmo
Councillor Callum Nimmo  Labour •  Hammersmith Broadway
Profile image for Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe
Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe  Deputy Whip •  Labour •  Walham Green
Profile image for Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure
Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure  Opposition Deputy Leader •  Conservative •  Parsons Green & Sandford
Profile image for Councillor Ashok Patel
Councillor Ashok Patel  Chair of Pensions Board •  Labour •  Sands End
Profile image for Councillor Lydia Paynter
Councillor Lydia Paynter  Lead Member for Women and Girls •  Labour •  Lillie
Profile image for Councillor Natalia Perez
Councillor Natalia Perez  Chair of Health and Adult Social Care PAC •  Labour •  White City
Profile image for Councillor Zarar Qayyum
Councillor Zarar Qayyum  Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills •  Labour •  Shepherds Bush Green
Profile image for CouncillorPatricia Quigley
Councillor Patricia Quigley  Labour •  Hammersmith Broadway
Profile image for Councillor Rowan Ree
Councillor Rowan Ree  Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform •  Labour •  Coningham
Profile image for Councillor Lucy Richardson
Councillor Lucy Richardson  Lead Member for Community Mental Health •  Labour •  Fulham Reach
Profile image for Councillor Ann Rosenberg
Councillor Ann Rosenberg  Labour •  Sands End
Profile image for CouncillorHelen Rowbottom
Councillor Helen Rowbottom  Chair of the Children and Education PAC and H&F Industrial Strategy Ambassador •  Labour •  Grove
Profile image for Councillor Alex Sanderson
Councillor Alex Sanderson  Deputy Leader (with responsibility for Children and Education) and Lead Member for Inclusive Community Engagement and Co-production •  Labour •  College Park and Old Oak
Profile image for CouncillorMax Schmid
Councillor Max Schmid  Chief Whip •  Labour •  Wormholt
Profile image for Councillor Asif Siddique
Councillor Asif Siddique  Lead Member for Support for Older People •  Labour •  Wendell Park
Profile image for Councillor Nikos Souslous
Councillor Nikos Souslous  Chair of Planning and Development Control Committee •  Labour •  Fulham Reach
Profile image for Councillor Dominic Stanton
Councillor Dominic Stanton  Opposition Whip •  Conservative •  Munster
Profile image for Councillor Sally Taylor
Councillor Sally Taylor  Lead Member for Communications •  Labour •  West Kensington
Profile image for Councillor Nicole Trehy
Councillor Nicole Trehy  Chair of the Climate Change and Ecology PAC •  Labour •  Wormholt
Profile image for Councillor Frances Umeh
Councillor Frances Umeh  Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness •  Labour •  White City
Profile image for Councillor Mercy Umeh
Councillor Mercy Umeh  Chair of Licensing Committee •  Labour •  Shepherds Bush Green
Profile image for CouncillorRory Vaughan
Councillor Rory Vaughan  Chair of The Economy, Arts, Sports, and Public Realm PAC •  Labour •  Coningham
Profile image for Councillor Patrick Walsh
Councillor Patrick Walsh  Chair of Audit Committee, Deputy Whip, and Borough Representative for the Armed Forces Community •  Labour •  Ravenscourt
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