Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Bailey and Paul Turner

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th March 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor T Clements and seconded by Councillor J Harper)

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To receive a verbal update form the Chair

Councillor R Pritchard presented an update report for the Nominations Scheme requesting the Committee to give consideration to a yearly Civic Pride Award by which all Councillors can each nominate one individual or group that make a  significant contribution to the Community of Tamworth for the award. 

On 4 August 2021 this committee approved an updated process by which nominations for public awards could be made.  This committee clarified the definitions of the award levels so that ‘levels’ of nominations could be made.

We have 4 levels which in summary are:

1.         Public Recognition Award For people/groups/organisations who have done a significant act for the community, achieved a lot for their community or the borough, or have raised the town profile in a positive and lasting way, but their actions falls below those required for other honours."

2.         Freeman of the Borough Awarded to an individual who has given Tamworth a great and/or exceptional service over a significant period of time in a voluntary, professional or philanthropic capacity.

3.         Title of Freedom of the Borough to reflect groups/organisations/businesses that have served Tamworth in a significant and impactful way, military organisations that have significant links to Tamworth, groups/organisations/businesses that are considered part of Tamworth's cultural identity or are beloved of the Tamworth public in a way that they should hold such a prestigious title.

4.         Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman Awarded to former Borough Councillors who have made a positive difference to Tamworth in their role, or who rendered exceptional service to the Borough Council during their term of office. This title is only held while they are not in office i.e., a sitting councillor

This year Cabinet announced that we would be having a new portfolio holder who would be responsible for Engagement, Civic Pride and Pride in Place and in that respect, I would like this committee to consider a further update to that process.

Consideration of – a Civic Pride award – in which  each Ward member would  nominate one  group or individual who have gone above and beyond for the community of Tamworth.  This award would be Ward Member driven and, in that respect, I ask the committee to consider supporting this change.  We would be looking for 1 Nomination from each ward councillor (i.e. 30 nominations).  The nominations will be   sent to the new Portfolio Holder for Engagement, Civic Pride and Pride in Place.

Those 30 nominations will then be invited to an Annual Civic Pride event held at the Assembly Rooms where they will be asked to join all members.  Each nomination will be presented with a Tamworth Borough Council Civic Pride Award.

It is important that this Council does all it can to recognise those individuals or groups to help our communities.  If Covid 19 taught us anything, it was how we all benefitted from groups and individuals within communities who sprang into action in order to help someone or something.  Those people/groups connected us and spurred others on. This council will forever be grateful to them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider excluding the Press and Public from the meeting by passing the following resolution:-

“That in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meeting and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, and Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public  interest in disclosing the information to the public”

At the time this agenda is published no representations have been received that this part of the meeting should be open to the public

That Members of the press and public be now excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the business involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and /or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)

(Moved by Councillor R Pritchard and seconded by Councillor T Clements)

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Voluntary sector, Town Centre, Evening economy & Community Safety)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Voluntary sector, Town Centre, Evening economy & Community Safety to agree grant applications to the Council’s Community Grant Scheme