Granting Honorary Freedom to an organisation.
Paul Millward. President of the National Association of Civic Officers
You’ll probably all know that:
“… a relevant authority may admit to be honorary freemen or honorary freewomen of the place or
area for which it is the authority—
(a) persons of distinction, and
(b) persons who have, in the opinion of the authority, rendered eminent services to that place or area.” Local Government Act 1972 s249 (5) (as amended).
The above Act clearly refers to “persons”. A question I am asked frequently is “what is the power for councils to admit organisations, rather than persons, to have the Honorary Freedom of the Council area”.
I’m not a lawyer, but my understanding (from advice I received from the former Department of Communities and Local Government some years ago) is:
“The council can make any person an honorary freeman, providing that the individual is a person of distinction or, in the opinion of the council, has rendered eminent service to the place. (DCLG’s) understanding is that the Interpretation Act 1978 provides that “person” includes bodies incorporated and unincorporated. Therefore, any army regiment would be included amongst the bodies, which a body with relevant power could admit as an honorary freemen”.
The above passage refers, as an example, to the army but the principle is wider. Your own legal advisors should be consulted as necessary. If anyone has a contrary view to this advice or more information, I would be interested to know.
Paul Millward
President NACO
