Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N Reader and M Topping.

A copy of the Register of Interest for each Selby District Councillor is available for inspection at www.selby.gov.uk.

Councillors should declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest in any item of business on this agenda which is not already entered in their Register of Interests.

Councillors should leave the meeting and take no part in the consideration, discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillors should also declare any other interests. Having made the declaration, provided the other interest is not a disclosable pecuniary interest, the Councillor may stay in the meeting, speak and vote on that item of business.

If in doubt, Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The Council is asked to consider report C/22/13 and decide whether to award the Honorary Freedom of the District to Number 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and the Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army.

Both Number 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and the Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army have been nominated by Ye Fraternitie of Olde Selebians. Mr Bryan Wilcockson will attend the meeting to say a few words.

Subject to Council’s agreement, representatives from Number 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and the Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army will be in attendance at the meeting to accept the appointment of Honorary Freemen.

In attendance on behalf of Number 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force will be Squadron Leader Angela Hemlin, and from the Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army Lt. Col. Richard Hill.

The Chairman introduced report C/22/13 which asked the Council to consider and decide whether to award the Honorary Freedom of the District to 51 Squadron of The Royal Airforce and The Yorkshire Regiment of The British Army.

Members noted that Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 enabled Selby District Council to award the Honorary Freemen of the District to individuals or groups who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the District. The report asked the Council to consider awarding the Honorary Freedom of the District to 51 Squadron of The Royal Airforce and The Yorkshire Regiment of The British Army, in gratitude for their service during World War 2, their continued connection to the town of Selby, ongoing ceremonial role in the Armistice Day Ceremony in Selby Cemetery and the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Selby Abbey.

It was proposed and seconded to award the Honorary Freedom of the District to 51 Squadron of The Royal Airforce and The Yorkshire Regiment of The British Army.

Members commented that it was a privilege to be able to bestow the honour of the Freedom of the District to 51 Squadron of The Royal Airforce and The Yorkshire Regiment of The British Army at the final full meeting of Selby District Council. Members expressed gratitude to both units for their service to Selby District and to the United Kingdom. The long association between Selby and 51 Squadron was recognised by Council and acknowledgement and thanks was given for their service during World War 2 and their continued service and commitment to the present day.

Once all Members had spoken, as both 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and the Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army had been nominated by Ye Fraternitie of Olde Selebians, Mr Bryan Wilcockson from Ye Fraternitie of Olde Selebians was asked to address the meeting and gave a brief history on both units and information to support their nominations to receive the Freedom of Selby District.

As the recommendation set out in the report had been proposed and seconded, a vote taken and was CARRIED.

The Chairman invited the representatives from 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (Squadron Leader Angela Hemlin) and from the Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army (Lt. Col. Richard Hill) to accept the appointments of Honorary Freemen and presented them each with a certificate.

RESOLVED:

To award the Honorary Freedom of the District to 51 Squadron of The Royal Airforce and The Yorkshire Regiment of The British Army.