Issue - meetings
Freedom of the County
Meeting: 14/05/2013 - County Council (Item 35)
35 Freedom of the County 
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Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 allows a Council to bestow the Freedom of its area on persons it considers deserving of the honour. This requires a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members voting on it at a meeting of the Council, specially convened for the purpose.
The honour can be conferred on anyone the Council considers to be:
(a) persons of distinction, and
(b) persons who have, in the opinion of the authority, rendered eminent services to that place or area.
No other qualifying terms are specified and so it is for the Council, on a case by case basis, to determine the distinction or eminent service it wishes to recognise.
On the recommendation of the Group Leaders, Council is RECOMMENDED to grant the honour of Freedom of the County to 4624 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, RAF Brize Norton in recognition of over thirty years of distinguished active service, demonstrating sacrifice and commitment to the defence of the realm, and for dedicated support to local charities and communities.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Council had before them a report (CC6) detailing Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 which allowed Councils to bestow the Freedom of its area on persons.
On the recommendation of Group Leaders, Council was invited to confer the status of Freedom of the County on 4624 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air force, RAF Brize Norton. This was in recognition of over thirty years of distinguished service, demonstrating sacrifice and commitment to the defence of the realm, and for dedicated support to local charities and communities.
The Squadron was formed at RAF Brize Norton on 8 August 1982 and achieved Full Operational Capability in 1987. The Squadron had now celebrated its 30th Anniversary and in its fourth decade, the Squadron continued to evolve and grow. It now found itself as the largest Royal Auxiliary Air Force Unit with a Part Time Volunteer Reserves Establishment of 256 personnel. 4624 Squadron personnel account for 23% of the trained output of the Royal Air Force Logistic Movements Trade and continue to play a vital part in meeting the requirements of Defence.
The Squadron endeavoured to maintain a representation at many important ceremonial events and had supported a number of local charities along with several service-focused charities. An annex to this report contains an outline of the history, role and engagements of 4624 Squadron by Wing Commander Williams and Warrant Officer Searles.
Members of the Council paid tribute to the work carried out by the Squadron.
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Hudspeth, seconded by Councillor Brighouse and carried unanimously) to grant the honour of Freedom of the County to 4624 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, RAF Brize Norton in recognition of over thirty years of distinguished service, demonstrating sacrifice and commitment to the defence of the realm, and for dedicated support to local charities and communities.
The Chairman presented the Squadron with a certificate of appointment containing the Council’s Coat of Arms and sealed with the Common Seal of the Oxfordshire County Council will be presented and witnessed by the Chairman and Chief Executive.