Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallasey Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Anna Perrett  Democracy Business Manager

Items
No. Item

9.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of the Council are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest, in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

 

Minutes:

No declarations were made.

10.

CIVIC MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

To receive the Civic Mayor's announcements and any apologies for absence.

 

Minutes:

The Head of Legal Services advised Members that there were technical issues with the webcasting equipment within the Council Chamber therefore the meeting could not be webcast.

 

The Civic Mayor announced that apologies had been received from Councillors Grahame McManus, Sue Powell-Wilde, Graham Davies, Andrew Gardner Naomi Graham, Chris Cooke, Ed Lamb, Pat Cleary, Jean Robinson, Liz Grey, Mark Skillicorn, Julie McManus, Ann Ainsworth, James Stewart Laing, Kieran Murphy, Harry Gorman, Gill Wood, Paula Basnett, Jo Bird, Amanda Onwuemene.

11.

CIVIC HONOURS

11a

HONORARY FREEMAN OF THE BOROUGH, DAVID ARMSTRONG pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Council is requested to consider the following recommendation from the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 13 June 2024 (minute 47 refers):

 

(1) In pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in recognition of his dedicated service to the Borough, that David Armstrong be admitted as Honorary Freeman of this Borough at an Extraordinary Council Meeting to be held on 29 July 2024

 

2) The Director of Law and Corporate Services be requested to: (a) take all the necessary actions associated with (1) above; and (b) arrange for a small civic reception for family representatives of David Armstrong, and invited guests on a mutually agreeable date following the extraordinary meeting of Council.

 

Minute Extract and Report are attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Several Councillors spoke of David’s achievements, noting that he was recognised by past and present Members for his unwavering commitment to his past role as Deputy Chief Executive of the Borough. David Armstrong was described as a cornerstone of the Council for many years, providing support and assistance to many, as well as spearheading many initiatives. His tireless efforts had not gone unnoticed.

 

Members also discussed the repatriation of UK residents during the early days of the COVID pandemic, noting that he personally got involved assisting those in quarantine in Arrowe Park Hospital, even collecting an engagement ring on behalf of a resident. 

 

David was described as a critical player and lead officer of the Council, taking ownership of projects such as the ‘red bridge’ in Birkenhead. His love of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and Birkenhead’s Hamilton Building was also noted.

 

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 David Armstrong be admitted as Honorary Freeman of this Borough.