Freedom of the Town and Civic Awards

The Town Council has various ways of highlighting the exceptional efforts of individuals that impact on Blandford Forum.

• Freeman of the Town of Blandford Forum
• Certificate of Appreciation
• Certificate of Civic Recognition
• Chairman of Council / Mayor’s Commendation

Details of these awards, and how to nominate people, can be found below: 

Freedom of the Boroughs

The origin of the Freedom of Cities and Boroughs dates back to the early Roman Empire when to be “born free” as a Citizen of Rome contained many privileges and rights superior to those of any other city, although it did not secure exemption from taxation.

This distinction was continued in the very early history of Britain in the Saxon constitution until about 600AD. Upon the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror introduced the feudal system, and in 1069 he granted the Burgesses of London a charter guaranteeing them their ancient laws and privileges.

Even in Saxon times “Guilds” of men of the same trade existed for mutual aid and protection, which was continued by the Normans, and the members were Freemen who were admitted only after a long apprenticeship.

In many ancient Cities which had been granted charters by successive sovereigns none but Freemen were allowed to trade wholesale and retail, which was, perhaps, their greatest privilege. Freedom could be secured originally in three ways – by patrimony, Apprenticeship of Redemption – but of more recent years, admission would be claimed by gift or marriage, and Freemen’s Courts were held until towards the end of the last century for admission of  Freemen, which conferred a right to a parliamentary vote, and in some towns exemption from tolls and dues according to the ancient customs retained by charter.

Before the Representation of the People Act 1832, in many Parliamentary Boroughs the Electors consisted solely of the Freemen. By virtue of the Municipal Corporation Act 1835, the Freemen ceased as such to form a part of the body corporate.  The Act, however, respected existing usages and retained a right to share in the corporate property, commons and public stock. Freedom by gift and purchase are now abolished and birth, serviture or  marriage only, entitle one to be entered on the “Freeman’s Roll”.

It was the practice to confer the honorary Freedom of the Borough as a mark of distinction upon a person whom the Council wishes to honour because he is a person of distinction, or one who has rendered eminent services to the Borough. It was first recognised by the Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act 1855, now replaced by the Local Government Act 1933.

It does not confer any of the benefits previously possessed by Freemen: but the rare distinction of the honour of Freedom in more recent times is a reflection of the value and importance that accrued to it in ancient times socially and financially, and the credit and reputation of it is thus preserved and recognised in honorary promotion for eminent services at the present day.

The practice of conferring the honorary “Freedom of Entry” upon Regiments is a fairly recent one; indeed the earliest grant appears to have been in December 1943, when the Corporation of Sheffield conferred the honour upon the York and Lancaster Regiment.    However, its roots lie deep in the history of local and central government; indeed it affords an interesting example of the power and influence of the old boroughs and cities in relation to central government in the past. Of these, the cities of Edinburgh and London are the most notable.

When the Army required more men, the custom was to send a recruiting officer and party to various towns, and draw public attention by the steady beat of a drum.  In these cities – and there were others – permission had to be obtained by the Army from the Corporation to enter and “beat the drum”.  This permission came to be granted “in solemn form”.  It was also necessary to obtain the consent of the Corporation before troops could march through towns.  Hence arose the practice of conferring, as a matter of honour upon individual Regiments the right “to march through the town with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying”.  From these ancient practices, the modern grant of “Freedom of Entry” can be traced.

FREEMAN OF BLANDFORD FORUM 1901 – 1903

To honour Blandford Soldiers who fought in the Boer War.

Freeman Policy

See also sections 248-249 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Eligibility

1. Blandford Forum Town Council shall admit to be Honorary Freemen of the Town, persons or organisations (e.g. regiment) who, in the opinion of Council, have rendered eminent service to the community. This recognition should only be made upon rare and exceptional occasions.
2. In keeping with the special nature of the award it shall be strictly limited to those who have made a very significant voluntary contribution to the community of Blandford Forum and who have demonstrated “service above self”, or a significant national contribution relative to the Town of Blandford Forum.
3. Preference will be given to a person who performs in a voluntary capacity, but this should not preclude the honour being awarded to a person whose dedication and contribution is significantly above that expected from their occupation.
4. The honour shall be awarded for the individual’s lifetime and not as a hereditary award, although a widow/er of a Freeman shall continue to be invited to civic events.
5. The maximum number of Freemen at any one time is not restricted.
6. Any nominated Town Councillor should have retired from the post. It would be expected that the nominee will have given extensive and distinguished service to the community which transcends local government i.e. service to other organisations, voluntary and community groups, in a largely voluntary capacity and not usually for long service on the Town Council.
7. The nominee must have made an outstanding contribution to the Town and must involve one or more of the following factors:

• A significant allocation of the person’s time in serving members of the community for the improvement of their wellbeing.
• The promotion, achievement and/or delivery of community services in which a real personal contribution has been made.
• Whilst difficult to define, the contribution must be outstanding in that it can be seen to stand above the contributions of most other persons.

Nomination Procedure

Stage 1

1. Any individual councillor or member of the public who resides in Blandford Forum and is on the electoral register may make a nomination.
2. A proposed nomination to be forwarded in CONFIDENCE to the Town Clerk with written testimonial giving reasons why the individual or organisation is worthy of nomination.
3. The matter is to be raised in CONFIDENTIAL session at the next Town Council meeting and the agenda will not name the nominee.
4. If the nominee is a currently serving Councillor who is present at the time, they will be requested to leave the chamber during this discussion.
5. The nominator may present their supporting information and answer any questions at this confidential meeting before leaving the meeting prior to discussion and voting taking place.
6. A proposer and seconder will be required and a vote taken as to whether further investigation is considered necessary or, if not, it will be raised in CONFIDENTIAL session at the next Town Council meeting for the purpose of voting on the award (see Stage 2 below).

Stage 2

1. At this second meeting, and for an award to be agreed, at least 75% of the membership of the Town Council then in office must be present and vote in favour of the award.
2. When the Town Council has voted and agreed the honour, the Town Clerk will notify the nominee in CONFIDENCE and seek their agreement of acceptance.
3. The Town Clerk will report to full council accordingly and arrangements will be put in hand for the Ceremony if the honour has been accepted.
4. Civic Ceremony – Confirmation of the Award of Honorary Freedom of the Town of Blandford Forum and Presentation of the Honorary Freeman Scroll (usually takes place during the Mayor Making ceremony, dependent on timing)

• Refer to example of Order of Ceremony
• Register of Freemen to be completed
• Certification of Admission (Freeman Roll to be made to order)
• Costs to be met from Council Civic Budget

Protocol

• Individual Freemen (Representative of Regiment/Organisation) to be invited to attend all Civic Functions.
• Hosts for the Freemen to be nominated from among the currently elected Councillors so as to ensure that they are accompanied and hosted throughout all civic functions.
• Freemen to be invited to other such functions as deemed appropriate (i.e. Remembrance Service, etc).
• Freemen to be acknowledged at ceremonies i.e. during the welcoming speech.
• Appropriate courtesy to be shown to Freemen i.e. seating arrangements (staff to escort to seats at Mayor Making Ceremony).
• Photographs to be on display in the Community Room (public awareness of the honour, to whom given).

Certificate of Appreciation Policy

Criteria

Blandford Forum Town Council shall present to members or organisations of the community who have worked tirelessly for Blandford Forum and its residents, in the opinion of the Council, a framed certificate of appreciation.

Nomination Procedure

1. Any individual may make a nomination.
2. A proposed nomination to be forwarded in CONFIDENCE to the Town Clerk with written testimonial giving reasons why the individual or organisation is worthy of nomination.
3. Nominations should be made by the end of March each year, except under special circumstances, to be agreed by the Council.
4. The matter is to be raised in CONFIDENTIAL session at the next Town Council meeting, in April each year, except under special circumstances, to be agreed by the Council, and the agenda will not name the nominee.
5. If the nominee is a currently serving Councillor, the nomination is dealt with privately by the officers via e-mail/ballot paper to Councillors, excluding the nominated person.
6. If the nominator is a Councillor they may take part in any discussion at this confidential meeting and will be entitled to take part in the vote.
7. A proposer and seconder will be required and a vote taken by show of hands.

Presentation

The outgoing Chairman of Council/Mayor will present any certificates to individuals at the Mayor Making ceremony each year, except under special circumstances, to be agreed by the Council.

Protocol

Recognition for receiving the Certificate of appreciation will be published in the next Town Council newsletter and on social media.

Certificate of Civic Recognition Policy

Criteria

Blandford Forum Town Council shall present a framed certificate of civic recognition to members or organisations of the community for doing something exceptional during the civic year to better the town and/or its inhabitants (if supported by the Council). For example, this can be a single act of heroism, setting up a group/project to benefit the community, raising awareness of a significant issue within the community, fundraising beyond expectations, etc.

Nomination Procedure

1. Any individual may make a nomination.
2. A proposed nomination to be forwarded in CONFIDENCE to the Town Clerk with written testimonial giving reasons why the individual or organisation is worthy of nomination.
3. Nominations should be made by the end of March each year, except under special circumstances, to be agreed by the Council.
4. The matter is to be raised in CONFIDENTIAL session at the next Town Council meeting, in April each year, except under special circumstances, to be agreed by the Council, and the agenda will not name the nominee.
5. If the nominee is a currently serving Councillor, the nomination is dealt with privately by the officers via e-mail/ballot paper to Councillors, excluding the nominated person.
6. If the nominator is a Councillor they may take part in any discussion at this confidential meeting and will be entitled to take part in the vote.
7. A proposer and seconder will be required and a vote taken by show of hands.

Presentation

The outgoing Chairman of Council/Mayor will present any certificates to individuals at the Mayor Making ceremony each year, except under special circumstances, to be agreed by the Council.

Protocol

Recognition for receiving the Certificate of Civic Recognition will be published in the next Town Council newsletter and on social media.

Chairman of Council/Mayor’s Commendations

The outgoing Chairman of Council/Mayor is permitted to select worthy individuals to be recognised for their contribution to the town during their Mayoral term and this should be presented at the Mayor Making ceremony. This award should not be considered in line with Certificates of Appreciation or Civic Recognition, because it is not voted on by Councillors and is entirely at the discretion of the Chairman of Council/Mayor.