Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain reviewing the vetting procedure applicable to candidates for the Freedom.

Members acknowledged the Committee’s role in the vetting process and the enhanced checks carried out by the Chamberlain’s Court. Support was expressed for vetting to continue as it helped to mitigate some of the risks associated with the Freedom.

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee drew attention to comments made by a Member at a recent meeting of the Ceremonials Working Party where it was suggested that he had been delaying and blocking Freedom applications. It was a rumour which had spread amongst Members and which was not true. He neither had the power nor the wish to block applications. He noted that a number of candidates had been suggested for a Freedom by Special Nomination (FSN) but that they did not meet the agreed criteria for the receipt of that category of Freedom. However, this did not preclude the people concerned proceeding along the normal Freedom route. The Chairman of the Committee supported the explanation and advised that it was important to ensure that the correct message was conveyed to Members. It was also agreed that the guidance for Members on the Freedom should be recirculated to the Committee for information.

A Member questioned how the cost of hospitality for an FSN and Freedom by Redemption, where appropriate, were met. The Committee was advised that he provision of hospitality for an FSN was met from an appropriate City Corporation budget, such as the Remembrancer’s or the Chamberlain’s Court depending on the nature of the candidate nominated. If it was felt desirable to provide hospitality for a Freedom by Redemption then Chairmen would need to consider whether it was something that could be provided from their budget.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted and that:-

1. the vetting procedure undertaken by the Committee and the enhanced investigations currently carried out by the Chamberlain’s Court continue; and

2.   the Guidance for Members on the Freedom be recirculated to the Committee for information.