Agenda and minutes

Bridget Prentice

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that this special

meeting of the Council was to confer upon Bridget Prentice the Honorary

Freedom of the London Borough of Lewisham.

The Chair then announced that, under Section 249(5) of the Local

Government Act 1972, a Borough Council can admit to the Honorary Freedom

of the Borough, ‘persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion

of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough’.  He then called

upon the Chief Executive to read out the resolution of the Council passed at a

meeting of the Council on November 25 2015.

The Chief Executive formally reported that it was resolved that Bridget

Prentice be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the London

Borough of Lewisham  “It is recommended that Bridget Prentice be admitted

as an Honorary Freewoman of the London Borough of Lewisham in

recognition of her service to the Borough and in particular the residents of

Lewisham East whom she served during 18 years as their Member of

Parliament. During that time she worked unstintinglyon their behalf, dealing

with their individual problems and concerns and offered national leadership on

issues relating to youth justice and democratic engagement. Her concerns for

her constituents and their welfare was always clear as was her commitment to

young people, for whom she has continued to be a champion, serving most

recently as Chair of Governors at Trinity School. She is an appropriate and

deserving nominee for the highest award the borough can make.”

Bridget Prentice then signed the Freedom Roll of Honour and her signature

was witnessed by the Mayor and the Chief Executive.

The Chair, after paying his own personal tribute to Bridget then called

upon, in turn, the Mayor, Kay Caldwell, Councillor Vivienne Lukey of the

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Lord Cashman, Councillor

Alan Hall, Councillor Jamie Milne, Councillor Janet Daby, Councillor Jim

Mallory, Councillor Hilary Moore and Councillor Kevin Bonavia to speak in

support of the Council’s recommendation.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, then presented to Bridget Prentice a

casket containing the Council’s resolution inscribed on a vellum scroll and

sealed by the Council. The Honorary Freewoman then responded and

thanked the Council for the honour that had been accorded to her.

The meeting closed at 8.57pm