Council is requested to consider the following recommendation from the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 5 September 2024 (minute 19 refers):

That Council be recommended to agree that:

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 Patricia Routledge be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough at an Extraordinary Council Meeting to be held on 7 October 2024.

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

Minute Extract and Report are attached.

The Council considered a report from the Director of Law and Corporate Services in respect to a proposal to admit Patricia Routledge, 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 dedicated service to the Borough, that Patricia Routledge be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman this Borough.

Members were advised that Dame Patricia Routledge was born in Birkenhead in 1929 and attended Mersey Park Primary School before going to Birkenhead High School where she sang in the choir and also ran a Sunday School. Dame Routledge then went on to study at Liverpool University where she graduated with honours in English Language and Literature and subsequently attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and London's Guildhall School of Music.

Members were informed that Dame Routledge then made her professional debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1952 in A Midsummer Night's Dream, with her first television appearance in 1956 and her first film performances in 1967. Most notable was the role of Hyacinth Bucket in the comedy series “Keeping up Appearances” which aired from 1990 – 1995. Throughout her career, she has appeared in nine films, 66 television appearances and 56 stage shows and has been awarded a Tony Award, an Olivier Award, an OBE, a CBE and a DBE for services to theatre and charity.

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 Patricial Routledge be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of this Borough

The Civic Services and Electoral Services Manager introduced the report of the Director of Law and Corporate Services which requested the granting of the title of Honorary Freewoman of the Borough to Katherine Patricia Routledge DBE, (Patricia Routledge) of Tranmere, Birkenhead. The Council had the power to grant this honour to persons of distinction that had rendered eminent Service to the Borough. It was raised as part of the officer’s presentation that there was an error with reference to the background paper referred to in preparing the report which should have stated Section 10 of Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution rather than Section 19. This was duly noted. 

Patricia’s best-known role was playing Hyacinth Bucket in the comedy series “Keeping Up Appearances” that aired from 1990 – 1995 and in respect of which she won a British Comedy Award. Patricia had also been awarded a Tony Award and an Olivier Award, and also an OBE, a CBE and a DBE for services to theatre and charity. The Patricia Routledge Charitable Trust provided charity to help health care, schools, historical heritage, the English language, theatre world and young talents. Patricia was also associated with the Royal Voluntary Service that is best known for its meals on wheels service. Patricia had been a longstanding supporter of Age UK Wirral and is the Patron of their Meadowcroft Appeal.

Resolved – that Council be recommended to agree that

(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 Patricia Routledge be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough at an Extraordinary Council Meeting to be held on 7 October 2024.

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