The Regulatory and General Purposes Committee convened to discuss a range of licensing and regulatory matters. The committee agreed to recommend that William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean be posthumously awarded Honorary Freedom of the Borough. They also approved the minutes from previous meetings of the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee and the Licensing Panel.

Honorary Freedom of the Borough – William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean

The committee voted to recommend to the council that William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean, a famous footballer born in Birkenhead, be posthumously admitted as Honorary Freeman of the Borough.

According to the Public Reports Pack, under the Local Government Act 1972, the council can grant the title of Honorary Freeman or Freewoman of the Borough to people of distinction who have rendered eminent service to the borough. The report notes that:

This is a very significant step for the Council to take. Only a few people have been awarded this status and, quite rightly, it should only be awarded to someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the Borough.

The report also notes that Dean was born in Birkenhead in 1907, played for Everton and Tranmere Rovers, and represented England internationally. He was also the first footballer to wear the number nine shirt in a high-profile match.

The committee agreed that officers should arrange a small civic reception for family representatives of William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean and some invited guests on a mutually agreeable date following the extraordinary meeting of the council.

Approval of Previous Minutes

The committee approved the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2025. They also approved the accuracy of the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Panel held on 6 June, 13 June and 11 July 2025.