Agenda and minutes

Sir Ian Mills

In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair welcomed everyone to the

meeting and announced that this special meeting of the Council was to confer

upon Sir Ian Mills the Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of

Lewisham.

The Vice 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 22 2017.

The Acting Chief Executive formally reported that it was resolved that Sir Ian

Mills be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the London Borough of

Lewisham “It is recommended that Sir Ian Mills be admitted as an Honorary

Freeman of the London Borough of Lewisham in recognition of his service to

the Borough and its citizens over many years. He has played key roles not

only in Lewisham but across the city, including for the London NHS. He was a

transformational chair of Age Exchange leading it to become the key hub it is

today for Blackheath. He has been the founding chair of Youth First helping to

secure quality provision for our young people. His personal contribution to its

launch has been extraordinary and he continues to support our young people

with an enthusiasm and a commitment that epitomises a lifetime of service

and demonstrates why he is an appropriate recipient of the highest award the

borough can make.”

Sir Ian Mills then signed the Freedom Roll of Honour and his signature

was witnessed by the Mayor and the Acting Chief Executive.

The Vice Chair, after paying his own personal tribute to Sir Ian then called

upon, in turn, the Mayor, Canon Reverend Alan Race of St. Margaret’s

Church Lee, David Savill, Artistic Director of Age Exchange, Melanie Jones,

Chief Executive of Talkabout Arts Trust, Mervyn Kaye, Chief Executive of

Youth First and Councillor Kevin Bonavia to speak in support of the Council’s

recommendation.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, then presented to Sir Ian Mills a

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

sealed by the Council. The Mayor further highlighted congratulatory

messages received from Freewoman Bridget Prentice and from Rafa Benitez,

Manager of the legendary Newcastle United Football Club.

The Honorary Freeman then responded and concluded by thanking the

Council for the honour that had been accorded to him.

The meeting closed at 8.59pm.