Agenda item

Kris Hibbert & Sir Steve Bullock DL

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

meeting of the Council was to confer upon Kris Hibbert and Sir Steve Bullock

DL the Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Lewisham. She reported

this was only the 16th and 17th time in the borough’s 54 year history that a

Freedom had been conferred. The Chair read out a congratulatory message

received from Honourary Freeman Terry Waite who could not be present at

the meeting.

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’. She then called

upon the Chief Executive to read out the resolution of the Council

passed at a special meeting of the Council on July 24 2019.

The Chief Executive formally reported that it was resolved that Kris Hibbert be

admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the London Borough of

Lewisham “It is recommended that ‘It is recommended that Kris Hibbert be

awarded the Freedom of the London Borough of Lewisham in recognition of

her service to the Borough and its citizens over many years. Kris served as a

Councillor for eight years, from 1982-90. She was a pioneer, helping set up

the first local government committee on women’s issues anywhere in Britain,

the Women’s Committee, which she served on from 1983-89. She also served

on many of the Council’s other major committees including Police; Leisure;

and Employment and Industry, which she chaired from 1986-88. Kris also led

the fundraising work for the Lavender Trust charity. Her drive, determination

and energy has led to Lewisham raising £225,000 to support younger women

with breast cancer. Kris has also made an outstanding contribution to

improving the life chances of many of Lewisham’s young people. She has

been a governor in Lewisham for 29 years and serves as Vice Chair of the

Lewisham School Governors Association. Lewisham is proud to have Kris as

an ambassador for our borough and her dedication to Lewisham makes her

an appropriate recipient of the highest award the borough can make.’

The Chief Executive formally reported that it was resolved that Sir Steve

Bullock DL be admitted as an Honorary Freeman of the London Borough of

Lewisham ‘It is recommended that Sir Steve Bullock DL be awarded the

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

the Borough and its citizens over many years. Sir Steve was the first directly

elected Mayor of Lewisham, serving for 16 years from 2002-2018. Prior to that

he was elected as a Councillor from 1982, where he served as Chair of

Finance, Chair of Leisure and Deputy Leader of the Council, before serving as

Leader of the Council from 1988-93. Whilst he was Mayor, Sir Steve created

the Young Mayor’s Programme, which has been emulated throughout

England and across Europe; led the council’s response to save Lewisham

A&E; and he ensured that every single secondary school in Lewisham was

rebuilt. He has brought changes to Lewisham that will endure for many

decades to come and his service to the borough perfectly illustrates the

Council’s motto ‘Salus Populi Suprema Lex’; the welfare of the people above

everything else. Sir Steve was knighted in 2007 for services to local

government and was commissioned to be a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater

London in 2018. Sir Steve’s unique contribution to the borough and to local

government in general over the past decades means that he is an appropriate

recipient of the highest award the borough can make.’

Both recipients then signed the Freedom Roll of Honour and their signatures

were witnessed by the Mayor and the Chief Executive.

The Chair, after paying her own personal tribute to Kris and Sir Steve, then

called upon, in turn, the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, Claire Kober, former

Leader of Haringey Council, Penny Philipps and John Smith, both personal

friends, Jacob Sakil, a former Young Mayor and Councillor Alan Smith the

Deputy Mayor from 2010-18, to speak in support of the Council’s

recommendation.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, then presented to both recipients a

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

sealed by the Council. The Mayor also presented personal gifts to both

recipients.

The Honorary Freewoman and Freeman then responded and concluded by

thanking the Council for the honour that had been accorded to them. Sir Steve

Bullock also presented a gift to former Acting Chief Executive Janet Senior for

her help during his tenure. The Council then adjourned for an evening of

refreshments and entertainment.

The meeting closed at 9.40pm.