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The Committee received and considered the report from the Head of Marketing and Communications and the Head of Inward Investment.
The Head of Inward Investment reported that this report outlined a proposal to run a new Recognition Awards ceremony, with the inaugural one planned for spring 2022, to recognise the achievements of individuals from the Borough of Great Yarmouth during a time of considerable challenge. It was proposed that the inaugural ceremony be held in 2022, and it was recommended that the Council hosted the event every 4 years, and as such, this report provided an overview of both the nomination process and the criteria for proposing nominees and selecting final award recipients.
Councillor P Carpenter proposed three amendments to the proposed criteria as follows which was seconded by Councillor Wells:-
2.2 Nominations would be proposed by any elected member, with all nominations to meet all the criteria as laid out in section 2.3 below. All final chosen nominees would require support from the Leader, Shadow Leader and Chief Executive Officer, as such, require unanimity. An equality impact assessment will be undertaken throughout the selection process.
2.3 Criteria for nomination:
Nominees must:
• Have been born, and/or raised, educated or lived within the Borough
• Achieved success amounting to national or international recognition
• Or a positive ambassador and a role model for the Borough.
2.4 All nominations will be presented to the group leaders with justification and evidence as to how each nominee meets all of the qualifying criteria. Should there be more than three nominees the Leader of the Council, Shadow Leader & Chief Executive Officer will reserve the right to choose the final recipients of the awards based on the quality of the justification provided
Councillor Wainwright reported that he had not been consulted on the proposal which was both disconcerting and disappointing as Shadow Leader.
Councillor Williamson reported that it was vital to get the awards criteria right and asked that the item be deferred for further consultation with Members.
Councillor B Walker was disappointed that only three nominations could be put forward as this would result in a large number of deserving local residents missing out on the opportunity to be considered for an award.
The Chief Executive Officer apologised for the paper being presented to Members at such short notice. The report had intentionally been written with a light touch as it was intended to amend the report following consultation with members at the meeting.
Councillor Flaxman-Taylor proposed that the second bullet point at paragraph 2.3 should be taken out and the remaining two bullet point re-worded better.
Councillor B Walker reported that he was concerned that Members would be putting forward nominations without the nominees prior permission.
Councillor A Wright agreed with Councillor Walker as he could see all sorts of issues arising from the proposed criteria culminating in only three people deciding the final three award nominations.
Councillor Plant reported that he welcomed the awards which were an excellent idea and had come at exactly the right time to honour local heroes who had served the residents of the borough in an exemplary manner during the pandemic.
Councillor Wells supported the proposal but asked that an amendment be made to paragraph 1.3 as follows. This was seconded by Councillor P Carpenter -
1.3 Given all this, the Council is proposing to celebrate a small number of individuals & local organisations (maximum of 3), acknowledging their outstanding contribution to the Borough and beyond.
Councillor P Hammond asked whether the limit of three nominations could be relaxed in the first year to allow the council to honour more well-deserving local residents and organisations alike.
Councillor Wainwright reported that he did not oppose the Awards but was asking for the item to be deferred to allow Members more time to consider the many amendments that had been made to the criteria eligibility this evening, to ensure that the criteria was all-encompassing and inclusive to recognise our diverse community of local individuals and groups.
The Chairman reported that a proposal had been made by Councillor P Carpenter and seconded by Councillor Wells that the criteria would be delegated to the Leader, Shadow Leader and CEO, taking into account all the suggested amendments made at the meeting.
RESOLVED:-
That the Committee:-
(i) Agree to the holding of a Recognition Awards ceremony via a 4-yearly cycle,
(ii) Consider and agree that the nomination, criteria and selection process be delegated to the Leader of the Council, Shadow Leader & Chief Executive Officer, including those amendments made at the meeting as follows:-
(a) 1.3 Given all this, the Council is proposing to celebrate a small number of individuals and local organisations (maximum of 3), acknowledging their outstanding contribution to the Borough and beyond. The Council is proposing to run a Recognition Awards ceremony, with the first to take place in Spring 2022 to therefore bring positivity to the Borough and celebrate those who deserve recognition for their endeavours.
(b) 2.2 Nominations would be proposed by any elected member, with all nominations to meet all the criteria as laid out in section 2.3 below. All final chosen nominees would require support from the Leader of the Council, Shadow Leader and Chief Executive Officer, and as such, require unanimity. An equality impact assessment will be undertaken throughout the selection process
(c) 2.3 Criteria for nomination; Nominees must:-
• Have been born, and/or raised, educated and lived within the Borough
• Achieved success amounting to national or international recognition
• A positive ambassador and role model for the Borough.
(d) 2.4 All nominations will be presented to the group leaders with justification and evidence as to how each nominee meets all of the qualifying criteria. Should there be more than three nominees the Leader of the Council, The Shadow Leader and the Chief Executive Officer will reserve the right to choose the final recipients of the awards based on the quality of the justification provided.
(iii) Agree to the hosting of the first Awards ceremony in the Spring of 2022.