Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

The following apologies for absence were received from:

Councillors M. Cross, J. Holt, H. McCarthy, L. Parsons, T. Sharrem and representatives of the Ebbw Vale Branch of the Royal British Legion.

To consider any declarations of interest or dispensations received.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

An EXTRAORDINARY MEETING of the Council of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent will be held on THURSDAY, 4^TH NOVEMBER, 2021 at 10.00 A.M. for the sole object, notice of which is now given, of considering and if thought fit passing a resolution in the following terms, which resolution, pursuant to Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting thereon:-

Motion

That in pursuance of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent do hereby confer the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent upon:

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

To mark the 100^th year Anniversary of the Royal British Legion in 2021 and in recognition of the dedicated charitable work undertaken by local branches (Abertillery, Beaufort, Blaina, Brynmawr, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Rassau and Tredegar) across the County Borough which supports serving and former service men and women and their families.  Also, in recognition of the wide range of people in the County Borough who raise funds every year to support the Royal British Legion and Armed Forces Community.

That the Council do embrace the privilege of admitting the said The Royal British Legion as Freemen of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent.

The Chair commenced by explaining that an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council had been convened for the sole object, notice of which was now given, of considering and if thought fit passing a resolution in the following terms, which resolution, pursuant to Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting thereon.

The Chair, thereupon, continued by proposing the following Motion:

“That in pursuance of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent do hereby confer the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent upon The Royal British Legion to mark the 100^th year Anniversary of the Royal British Legion in 2021 and in recognition of the dedicated charitable work undertaken by local branches (Abertillery, Beaufort, Blaina, Brynmawr, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Rassau and Tredegar) across the County Borough which supports serving and former service men and women and their families.  Also, in recognition of the wide range of people in the County Borough who raise funds every year to support the Royal British Legion and Armed Forces Community.

That the Council do embrace the privilege of admitting the said The Royal British Legion as Freemen of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent”.

This Motion was seconded.

At this juncture, Councillor Brian Thomas the Council’s Armed Forces Champion advised that the Freedom of Borough was the highest award that Blaenau Gwent Council could confer, and he was delighted to take this opportunity on the centenary of the Royal British Legion to recognise the dedicated work undertaken by countless volunteers through local branches in Blaenau Gwent over many years.  It also reflected the strong community support in Blaenau Gwent for the armed forces.  Many men and women from Blaenau Gwent had proudly served in the armed forces, and this award recognised the excellent work that the Royal British Legion had done over many years to support these serving and former service men, women and their families.

Unfortunately, whilst this award was unable to be presented in person today arrangements would be made for it to be presented at a later date.   The Armed Forces Champion concluded by again expressing his appreciation to the many volunteers across Blaenau Gwent who contributed to the important work of the Royal British Legion and said he was proud to also second the Motion to award the Freedom of the Borough to The Royal British Legion.

It was, thereupon, unanimously RESOLVED that The Royal British Legion be made Freemen of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent.

At this juncture, the Chair extended a warm welcome to Mr. Antony Metcalfe, Area Manager for Wales for the Royal British Legion, Ms. Lisa Rawlings, Regional Armed Forces Officer and to the representatives from the Royal British Legion Branches in the County Borough.

Mr. Metcalfe was then invited to respond:

Mr. Metcalfe said it was a great pleasure to receive on behalf of the Royal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.