That the Council do resolve as follows:
(a) that the Mayor and Citizens of the City of Lincoln do confer the Honorary Freedom of the City upon The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack in tribute to his outstanding contribution to the City, being instrumental in several large conservation projects, bringing world class exhibitions to the City such as the Doomsday Book and Battles and Dynasties, and securing funding for the Magna Carta vault in Lincoln Castle along with his tireless work, for the benefit of others, as Patron of the International Bomber Command Centre, Deputy High Steward of Lincoln Cathedral, Vice President of the Tennyson Society and Member of the University of Lincoln Court, and his advocacy for the city on the national stage.
By this, the most honourable distinction, which is their privilege to bestow, the Council can pay tribute to his outstanding achievements and to express the high esteem in which he is held.
(b) that an illuminated Scroll embodying the above-mentioned terms and sealed with the Common Seal of the Council be presented to the said The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack.
Minutes:
At the request of the Mayor, (Councillor J Kirk), the Chief Executive and Town Clerk read out the following motion:
To consider the following recommendation from Council of 18 January 2022, pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, to be proposed by the Right Worshipful the Mayor (Councillor Jackie Kirk) and seconded by Councillor Ric Metcalfe.
That the Council do resolve as follows:
a) That the Mayor and Citizens of the City of Lincoln do confer the Honorary Freedom of the City upon The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack in tribute to his outstanding contribution to the City, being instrumental in several large conservation projects, bringing world class exhibitions to the City such as the Doomsday Book and Battles and Dynasties, and securing funding for the Magna Carta vault in Lincoln Castle along with his tireless work, for the benefit of others, as Patron of the International Bomber Command Centre, Deputy High Steward of Lincoln Cathedral, Vice President of the Tennyson Society and Member of the University of Lincoln Court, and his advocacy for the city on the national stage.
By this, the most honourable distinction, which is their privilege to bestow, the Council can pay tribute to his outstanding achievements and to express the high esteem in which he is held.
b) That an illuminated Scroll embodying the above-mentioned terms and sealed with the Common Seal of the Council be presented to the said The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack.
The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Jackie Kirk, proposed the motion that The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack, be admitted to the Honorary Freedom of the City in accordance with the resolution read by the Chief Executive.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Ric Metcalfe. He emphasised that it was with great pleasure and an honour for him personally to second the Freedom of the City of Lincoln to The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack. He highlighted that Lord Cormack was a Lincolnshire yellow belly born in Grimsby in 1939, before he moved away to pursue his career. Councillor Metcalfe gave a brief history of Lord Cormack’s distinguished political career, his reputation as a prolific author and broadcaster and appointment as a Life Peer in December 2010. He commended Lord Cormack for his knowledge on so many things which held no bounds. He praised Lord Cormack’s many achievements and outstanding contributions to the City. He added that Lord Cormack had now retired to live in Lincoln with his wife and lived in Minster Yard. He continued to be involved in the Cathedral and City and worked constantly for the benefit of others for no personal gain.
The Mayor put the motion to the Council for resolution, which was carried unanimously.
RESOLVED that the granting of the Honorary Freedom of the City to the Right Honourable The Lord Cormack be approved.
The Roll of Honorary Freedom was signed by The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack.
The Mayor presented The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack with the Scroll admitting him to the Honorary Freedom of the City of Lincoln.
The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack responded by saying this was a very moving occasion. He stated that it was a great honour to receive the Honorary Freedom of the City of Lincoln. He highlighted four red letter days in his life, becoming a Member of Parliament for Canwick, being Knighted by Her Majesty the Queen, becoming a Member of the House of Lords and now today receiving the Freedom of the City of Lincoln. He was very proud of his County and was delighted he was able to move to live in Minster Yard. He described today as a special day also being the anniversary of the Feast of Annunciation, commemorating the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, where he announced that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. This building was a very special place, people could view a stone sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel on the outside of the building above the Stonebow Gate. The Mote Bell dating from 1371 was still rang here, as it was this morning. We were here as guardians of the history of one of the great cities of England. He entertained his audience with his great knowledge of the history of the City and County. He was moved and gracious to receive the Freedom of the City of Lincoln. He thanked the Mayor, Councillor Metcalfe and all Councillors present for this very special recognition.