Extraordinary Meeting of the Council

Monday, 30th November, 2015 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber at the Council House, Priory Road, Dudley

You are hereby summoned to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council for the purpose of transacting the business set out in the numbered agenda items listed below.

Agenda - Public Session (Meeting open to the public and press)

Prayers

1. Apologies for absence.

2. To receive any declarations of interest under the Members’ Code of Conduct.

3. Freedom of the Borough Appointment.

Strategic Director Resources and Transformation Dated: 20th November, 2015

Distribution: All Members of the Council

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Extraordinary Meeting of the Council – 30th November, 2015

Report of the Chief Executive

Freedom of the Borough Appointment

Purpose of Report

1. To consider a Freedom of the Borough appointment pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Background

2. Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 provides that the Council may, by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members voting thereon, appoint to be an Honorary Freeman/Freewoman of the Borough, persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough.

3. The criteria for appointment as an Honorary Freeman (and woman) of the Borough were agreed by the Council on 25th February, 2013.

4. Jordanne Joyce Whiley MBE of Halesowen is a player. She became Britain's youngest ever national women's singles champion in wheelchair tennis at the age of 14. Following her highly successful junior career, Jordanne reached the finals of the women's wheelchair doubles at Wimbledon. She competed for Great Britain at the Summer Paralympic Games where she gained a bronze medal in the Women's Doubles.

5. Together with her doubles partner, of Japan, has achieved a ‘Calendar ’ by winning the wheelchair doubles at the (2014 and 2015), the (2014), Wimbledon (2014 and 2015) and the United States Open (2014). The partnership also won the Masters Doubles tournament in 2013 and 2014.

6. In addition to her ground breaking doubles achievements, Jordanne Whiley is also enjoying a successful singles career, having reached the quarter finals of the French Open in 2011 and 2014, the Semi Finals of the Australian Open in 2014 and recently winning the United States Open title in 2015. Jordanne was awarded the MBE in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

7. Should the Council resolve to appoint an Honorary Freeman/Freewoman of the Borough, it has been customary that a presentation ceremony be held to award the honour to the recipient.

Finance

8. The costs involved with a decision to make a Freedom of the Borough appointment will need to be identified from within existing budgetary provisions.

Law

9. The legal powers are contained in Section 249 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Equality Impact

10. This report is consistent with the Council’s commitment to equality and diversity. There are no direct implications for children and young people and therefore there has been no consultation or involvement of external groups in developing the proposals.

Recommendations

11. That the Council determine whether to appoint Jordanne Whiley MBE as an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough.

12. That the Chief Executive be authorised to take all the necessary arrangements regarding the award and presentation ceremony.

………………...... ….. Chief Executive