MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN

Main Tel: 01685 725000 www.merthyr.gov.uk

FULL COUNCIL REPORT

Date Written 6th January 2011 Report Author Jayne Overbury Service Area Mayor Exempt/Non Exempt Non Exempt Committee Date 2nd February 2011

To: Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen

Re-Affirmation of the Freedom of the County Borough to the

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT:

To seek Council’s approval for the Re-affirmation of the Freedom the County Borough to The Royal Welsh following amalgamation in 2006 of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of (24 th / 41 st Foot) and to note that the Regiment will march through the Town on Thursday 7th April 2011.

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 The Council has received a request from Major (Ret’d) Tim Wheadon of the Royal Welsh that the Regiment Re-affirm their Freedom rights and march through the town on Thursday 7 th April 2011.

1.2 The former Borough Council granted the Freedom of the Borough to The Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 15 th April 1994 and to the (24 th / 41 st Foot) on 23 rd March 1996 as a means of giving public recognition of the high esteem in which the Regiments were held by the Council and the people of the Borough.

1.3 The Royal Welsh was formed on St David’s Day 2006 as part of the Army’s Future Infantry Structure. The Royal Welsh united the regular, reserve and cadet infantry battalions of The and The Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot) in the principality of Wales. 1.4 These regiments have participated in many significant events in British history. Over the years, these Regiments' names have evolved to meet changing roles and national needs.

1.6 The Royal Welsh Regiment continue to recruit from the County Borough and surroundings areas.

2.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATION

2.1 There are no additional financial implications to the Authority from this report as all costs will be met from the Mayoral Budget.

3.0 RECOMMENDATION that

3.1 Council approve and re-affirm the Freedom of the County Borough upon the Royal Welsh as the successor regiment to The Royal Welsh Fusiliers and The Royal Regiment of Wales both of whom were granted the Freedom of the Borough respectively on the 15th April 1994 and 23 rd March 1996 and in recognition of the intimate association that has existed between the predecessor Regiments and the County Borough being desirous of perpetuating this traditional association of the County Borough with the predecessor Regiments in which so many of its citizens have been proud to serve, do confer by deed upon The Royal Welsh in perpetuity, The Honorary Re-affirmation of the Freedom of the County Borough and thereby the right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil on all ceremonial occasions with drums beating, bands playing and bayonets fixed and to note that the Royal Welsh intend to march through the town of Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday 7th April 2011.

GARETH CHAPMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE

BACKGROUND PAPERS Title of Document(s) Document(s) Date Document Location

Re-affirmation of Royal Mayor’s Office Welsh

Consultation has been undertaken with Executive Board in respect of each proposal(s) and recommendation(s) set out in this report.