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.

Councillor Andrew Hodson declared a non-pecuniary interest as a board member of YMCA Wirral. Councillor Hodson advised that he would vacate the chamber when agenda item 3a was discussed.

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

The Civic Mayor announced that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bird, Cook, Cox, Graham Davis, Councillor Grier, Jones, Martin, Graham McManus, Redfern, Stuart-Laing, Caitlin Stewart, Onwuemene and Williamson.

Council is requested to consider the following recommendation from the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 5 September 2024 (minute 18 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 the organisations dedicated service to the Borough, that YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) Wirral be awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough at an Extraordinary Council Meeting to be held on 7 October 2024.

2.  The Head of Democratic and Member Services be requested to take all the necessary actions associated with recommendation (1) above and arrange for a small civic reception for representatives of YMCA Wirral 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 YMCA Wirral, Honorary Freedom 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 YMCA Wirral be granted freedom of this Borough.

Several Councillors spoke to the nomination, informing Council that YMCA Wirral had opened in 1847 and has supported residents of the borough for over 150 years. Council was informed that the organisation had historical connections with local shipbuilding and maritime industries as well as strong links to Cammel Lairds and Blue Funnel Line; with YMCA Wirral accommodating staff undergoing training in Wirral.

More recently, YMCA Wirral had provided support with personal development and support, noting that in 2014 the then Civic Mayor suggested that it changed it name from YMCA Birkenhead to YMCA Wirral to reflect its activities and geographical reach across the borough.

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 YMCA Wirral be granted Honorary Freedom of this Borough

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