Warrington Borough Council

Council Summons An Extra-ordinary meeting of the Council will be held on

Monday, 24 February 2020 at 6.35 pm

in the Council Chamber Warrington Town Hall

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Professor Steven Broomhead Chief Executive 25 October 2019

Town Hall Sankey Street Warrington Extra-ordinary Meeting of the Council WA1 1UH

Monday 24 February 2020 at 6.35pm

Council Chamber, Town Hall, Warrington

Professor Broomhead Chief Executive

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Agenda prepared by Sharon Parker, Democratic Services Manager – Telephone: (01925) 442161, Fax: (01925) 442014, Email [email protected] ______

A G E N D A

Items during the consideration of which the meeting is expected to be open to members of the public (including the press) subject to any statutory right of exclusion.

1 Apologies

2 Code of Conduct – Declarations of Interest

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest or prejudicial interest that they have in any item of business on the agenda no later than when the item is reached.

www.war r ington.gov.uk 2 2 Appointment of Honorary Citizen

Motion

To be proposed by Cllr M Hannon and seconded by Cllr P Nelson

“That, in accordance with the Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer to the Council, Mr be given the title of Honorary Citizen.”

NB A two-third majority of those present is required to approve the granting of the title.

www.war r ington.gov.uk 3 AGENDA ITEM 2

WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL – 24 February 2020

Report of: Matthew Cumberbatch, Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Report Author: Sharon Parker, Democratic Services Manager (Statutory Scrutiny Officer) Katie Halliwell, Democratic Services Officer

Contact Details: Email Address: Telephone: [email protected] 01925 442161 [email protected] 01925 442924

Ward Members: ALL

TITLE OF REPORT: Ben Westwood – Honorary Citizenship

1.0. PURPOSE

1.1. To seek the council’s support for awarding honorary citizenship of the Borough to Ben Westwood.

2.0. CONFIDENTIAL OR EXEMPT

2.1. The report does not contain information which is either confidential or exempt.

3.0. BACKGROUND

3.1. Councillor Mike Hannon, will be nominating Mr Ben Westwood to receive the award of Honorary Citizen, and this will be seconded by Councillor P Nelson.

3.2. The award of honorary citizenship is an accolade which is bestowed on those who are not born and raised in the Borough of Warrington but whose actions mark them out as having made a particular contribution to the town.

3.3. Ben Westwood was born in , in July 1981. He began his career at local team Normanton Knights, before being scouted for Wildcats in 1999.

Ben joined in 2002, making his debut in an away game to in Carcassonne, France. He wore the primrose and blue for 18 seasons, becoming the club’s longest serving player, before announcing his retirement in 2019. He has played for Warrington Wolves a total of 441 times, including five finals and three Grand finals. During his career at Warrington Wolves, he has scored 128 tries and landed 83 goals. He has played over 500 career games, and is one of just

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three players to have played in the during the last millennium, and is the final Warrington Wolves player to retire who had played at the old .

Ben ended his career as a Challenge Cup Winner in 2019, having previously also won the title in 2009, 2010 and 2012. He marked this win at the Warrington Wolves homecoming parade, when he gave his Challenge Cup Winners’ medal to a 6 year old Warrington Wolves ‘super fan’.

Ben’s retirement from playing will take him into new roles with Warrington Wolves as he will be working with the backroom staff and in the office, as well as coaching the Warrington Wolves women’s team.

In addition to his 18 seasons at Warrington Wolves, Ben has also represented on 27 occasions, including the 2008 and 2013 World Cup, and featured in all of England’s 2011 Four Nations matches.

Alongside his rugby career, Ben has also made significant contribution to the local community. He has helped to promote health, sport and educational projects to those in the local community at a wide variety of events and venues.

In 2009 Ben assisted with an ‘Eat Well, Be Well’ project in association with Trading Standards and the Warrington Guardian, which has helped to highlight the health implications of fast food. Continuing his work in promoting healthy eating, Ben took part in the Warrington Wolves ‘Wolf it Up’ project, taking time to visit local families and cook nominated healthy meals with them. Ben has also committed a considerable amount of time with ‘Eat Well, Be Well’ working with, and supporting the homeless in our town.

As a Warrington Wolves player, Ben has supported the development of sport in Warrington, attending numerous local sporting events and festivals to hand out trophies and sign autographs.

Ben also takes time to visit seriously ill supporters and their families who were often going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Ben is also a patron of the Shannon Bradshaw Trust, which raises money to help sick children and families throughout the North West.

Ben has been married to Debbie Westwood since 2014, and together they share daughters Tyler, Gracie, and step-son Jake.

4.0. CONSULTATION

4.1. The two Political Group Leaders have been informed of the nomination.

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5.0. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

5.1. There are no costs other than those associated with adding Mr Westwood’s name to the International Roll of Honour which can be met from an existing budget.

6.0. RISK ASSESSMENT

6.1. No issues identified in this report.

7.0. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY / EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

7.1. No specific equality and diversity issues identified in this report.

8.0. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

8.1. To recognise the contribution made by Ben Westwood to the Borough of Warrington.

9.0. RECOMMENDATION

9.1 That the Council awards Ben Westwood the title of Honorary Citizen of the Borough of Warrington.

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