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Written question asked by Peter Lamb (Labour) on Thursday, 16 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 January 2025. It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Friday, 24 January 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Civic Dignitaries

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to enable communities covered by a borough council to retain (a) mayors, (b) honorary freemen and (c) honorary aldermen; and how appointments of other local officers of dignity will be made after unitarisation.

Answer

The Government is committed to ensuring that the treasured historic and ceremonial rights and privileges of local communities will be protected through the local government reorganisation process. General regulations governing unitarisation exercises provide that honorary freemen and aldermen of predecessor local authorities retain their status for the relevant successor unitary authorities.

After reorganisation, parish councils may make ceremonial appointments for their area. Where there is no such parish, at the request of the council involved, we can establish charter trustees for the areas of predecessor borough or city areas to preserve their historic rights and privileges, including the ability to appoint a mayor, deputy mayor, and honorary freemen and aldermen. We recognise this as an important issue for areas and if there will be a need for legislation to establish charter trustees this will be discussed with the area in advance of reorganisation.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
24613
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Civic dignitaries Local government Reorganisation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk