Council is requested to consider the following recommendation from

the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 23 November 2023 (minute … refers):

(1) In pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of her dedicated service to the Borough, that Sue Higginson be admitted as Honorary Freewoman of this Borough at an Extraordinary Council Meeting to be held on 04th December 2023

(2) The Head of Democratic and Member Services be requested to take all the necessary actions associated with (1) above and arrange for a small civic reception for Sue Higginson and invited guests on a mutually agreeable date following the Extraordinary Meeting of Council.

Minute and report attached.

The Council considered a report from the Director of Law and Governance in respect to a proposal to admit Sue Higginson, as an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough.

The recommendation was in pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of her dedicated service to the Borough, that Sue Higginson be admitted as Honorary Freewoman of this Borough.

Several Councillors spoke of Sue’s achievements, particularly her role as Principal of Wirral Met College for 11 years and the success of the college under her stewardship including the growth in its roll to 10,000 students and the impact it had on the borough. Councillors also spoke of the impact Sue had made in Wirral outside of her role with the college, including her involvement in raising funding for the Mayor’s Charities, the introduction of the wellbeing garden at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and her work with the Public Health team during the pandemic. It was reported to Council that Sue had been made an Officer of the British Empire in 2022 in recognition of her contribution to education.

Following the speeches from Councillors, it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That in pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, that Sue Higginson be admitted as Honorary Freewoman of this Borough.

The Director of Law and Governance submitted a report requesting that Members of the Committee recommend to Council that Sue Higginson be admitted as Honorary Freewoman of this Borough at an Extraordinary meeting of the Council to be held on 4 December 2023.

The Civic and Electoral Services Manager reported that this was a very significant step for the Council to take.  Very few people had been awarded this status and it should only be awarded to someone who had made an exceptional contribution to the Borough.  It is considered that Sue Higginson falls within this category.

The Civic and Electoral Services Manager advised Members of the Committee that all Political Group Leaders had been consulted and supported the proposals.

Councillor Cooke suggested whether a workshop could be arranged to discuss the Freedom of the Borough Protocol.  The legal advisor to the Committee advised that this could be referred to the Governance Working Group and Councillor Cooke responded by stating he would discuss this further with Group Leaders.

On a motion by Councillor S Bennett and seconded by Councillor M Redfern, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That in pursuance of the provisions of Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of her dedicated service to the Borough, that Sue Higginson be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of this Borough at an Extraordinary meeting of the Council to be held on 4 December 2023; and

(2)  That officers be requested to take the necessary actions associated with (1) above and arrange a small civic reception for Sue Higginson and invited guests on a mutually agreeable date following the Extraordinary meeting of the Council on 4 December 2023.