Agenda item

Newport City Council resolves to appoint the Royal British Legion as Honorary Freeman of the City of Newport in recognition of their 100th Year Anniversary on 15th May 2021 and to honour the charitable work of the organisation supporting ex-service men and women and their families.

This motion is to be proposed by the Leader of the Council, J Mudd and R Truman and seconded by Councillor M Spencer

The Council considered the following motion, for which the necessary notice had been given.  The motion was moved by The Leader and seconded by Councillor Spencer.

Newport City Council resolves to appoint the Royal British Legion as Honorary Freeman of the City of Newport in recognition of their 100th Year Anniversary on 15th May 2021 and to honour the charitable work of the organisation supporting ex-service men and women and their families.

The Royal British Legion was formed in May 1921 by the merger of four veterans associations of the First World War.  Its purpose was to:

·        provide help to veterans and their families who are in need of help,

·        campaign for improved conditions, and

·        to champion Remembrance.

In moving the motion, the Leader Commented that, in 1921, the British Legion Founder and President Earl Haig announced that Armistice Day on 11 November would be known henceforth as Remembrance Day and that it would be a ‘Poppy Day’ to raise funds for veterans relief.

Over six million men served on the front line during the war and of those who came back, 1.75 million suffered some kind of disability and half of these were permanently disabled.  We also needed to remember the emotional and financial impact this had on those who were left behind – wives and children, widows and orphans as well as the parents who had lost their sons.

Out of this concern, the Legion was established and they have helped the Armed Forces community and their families ever since.  The Legion provided lifelong support to serving members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.  Their wide ranging activities included support through debt and emergency situations, employment, dementia care and supporting places with Remembrance parades and services.

In Newport we were fortunate to have four branches of the Royal British Legion – the Newport Men’s branch, the Newport Women’s branch, the Rogerstone branch and the Caerleon branch.

The difference that the Royal British Legion made to people’s lives could not be underestimated and as they marked their 100^th year in May, the Leader believed it was important for Newport to formally recognise the contribution this organisation made to the people of Newport.  Granting them honorary Freedom of the City felt like an appropriate honour, on behalf of the people of the City of Newport and elected members of this Council, the Leader was privileged to formally request that in their centenary year, Newport City Council granted the Royal British Legion honorary Freedom of the City.

If this request was granted, a more formal presentation ceremony would be held later in the year and it was hoped that such an event would enable the Council to fully celebrate the work of this incredible organisation and fully recognise the honour bestowed on them.

Comments from Councillors:

Councillor M Evans welcomed and fully supported the motion, although he was disappointed not to have been consulted beforehand.

Councillor Cleverly supported this motion with her member of family being in the Armed Forces.

Councillor Harvey supported this motion with her son being a member of the Royal Navy.

Councillor Truman supported this motion.

Councillor Whitehead supported this motion with brothers in the Armed Forces.

Councillor J Watkins, received support from the Royal British Legion when she lost her husband during his service in the Royal Navy. It was disappointing however, that they decided to move away from local offices to being centralised in London but Councillor J Watkins supported the motion.

Councillor Hughes had a serving member of family working for the Armed Forces and acknowledged the Caerleon branch and their hard work.

Councillor Spencer mentioned that it was a great pleasure to second this motion for the Royal British Legion which had helped veterans for many years supported what our service personnel were doing.  As an ex soldier, Councillor Spencer praised the support from the Royal British Legion and the hard work carried out in the past and hopefully long into the future.

The Leader welcomed the positive contributions from colleagues, which showed the high esteem in which the Royal British Legion were held and recognised the work that they did.

Agreed (unanimously) That the motion be carried.