Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To award the Blackpool Medal posthumously to former Councillors Peter Callow and Mrs Lily Henderson MBE and to former boxing champion Brian London (Brian Sidney Harper).

Members were aware that at the meeting in May 2021, the Council had agreed to amend the criteria for the award of the Blackpool medal to posthumous recipients and that at the same meeting had agreed to posthumously award the medal to former Councillors Peter Callow and Mrs Lily Henderson MBE.  It was also noted that at the September 2021 Council meeting, members had agreed to posthumously award the medal to former boxer Brian London and that the meeting had been convened in respect of all three recipients.

Motion 1:  Councillor T Williams proposed (and Councillor L Williams seconded):

‘To posthumously award the Blackpool Medal to the family of former Councillor Peter Callow in recognition of his eminent service to the Borough’.

Councilor M Mitchell also paid tribute to Councillor Callow.

During the speeches, reference was made to Councillor Callow representing the residents of Norbreck and to his time as Leader when the decision had been taken to buy the Tower and Winter Gardens, bringing them into public ownership and sparking new investment, as well as Councillor Callow securing funding to save the Blackpool tramway.

Members noted that Councillor Callow had also introduced the award of the Blackpool Medal and had served as Mayor during 2015 to 2016.

Motion 1 carried:  The motion was carried unanimously.

Following presentation of the medal and certificate, family members thanked the Council.

Motion 2:  Councillor Clapham proposed (and Councillor Hunter seconded):

‘To posthumously award the Blackpool Medal to the family of former Councillor Mrs Lily Henderson MBE in recognition of her eminent service to the Borough’.

Councillors M Mitchell and Stansfield also spoke in tribute.

Members noted that Councillor Mrs Henderson MBE had served the residents of Highfield ward and had been the oldest councillor in the country to retain her seat when she was re-elected at the May 2019 local elections.

Councillors also paid tribute to her term of office of Mayor and as a recipient of an MBE for her services to scouting, along with her support and promotion of sporting activities, in particular tennis.

Motion 2 carried:  The motion was carried unanimously.

Following presentation of the medal and certificate, family members thanked the Council.

Motion 3:  Councillor T Williams proposed (and Councillor Hunter seconded):

‘To posthumously award the Blackpool Medal to the family of former British and Commonwealth boxing champion Brian London in recognition of his eminent service to the Borough’.

Councillors M Mitchell also spoke on the proposal.

During the speeches, Brian’s sporting achievements were acknowledged in particular the accolade of being the British and Commonwealth champion and the world heavyweight title fights during his career.

The Council also noted that Brian had moved to Blackpool from Hartlepool when he had become a successful businessman in the town.

Motion 3 carried:  The motion was carried unanimously.

Following presentation of the medal and certificate, family members thanked the Council.