tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post6141846143789298459..comments2023-10-18T13:49:04.792+01:00Comments on Virtual Lancaster News Blog: Council to invite applications for Freewomen of the CityAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09111099866285188994noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post-4692951744705824272011-06-28T18:40:01.330+01:002011-06-28T18:40:01.330+01:00Thank you for your helpful comment. I have asked t...Thank you for your helpful comment. I have asked the council which of the Freemen is eligible to propose a resolution. <br /><br />They have replied as follows: <br />"I can confirm that the three proposers can be any persons whose names are on the roll of freemen.<br /> <br />"Since the relevant provisions of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 came into force in 2010, Democratic Services staff have been required to prioritise the administration of the general election and electoral canvass in 2010 and the city and parish council elections and referendum in 2011, and this workload has meant that there have been insufficient resources to consider the appropriate arrangements for a ballot of freemen. The administration of such a ballot, with the need to obtain current contact details for as many living freemen as possible, will involve significant resources in terms of staff time, and it was not felt appropriate to contact the freemen about the new provisions until the Council was in a position to provide the resources that would be needed to support the proposers in arranging a ballot. It is hoped that such resources will be available during the next 6-9 months."<br /><br />They have notified me of the wording already prepared for such an event: <br /><br />"The 2009 Act also adds Schedule 28A to the Local Government Act 1972. This provides a procedure which can be used where, as in Lancaster’s case, the freemen provisions are contained in an Act, to amend those provisions so as:<br /><br />To provide for a woman to have the right to be admitted to freedom of a city or town in any or all circumstances where a man has that right;<br /><br />To enable a woman admitted to the freedom of a city to use the title "freewoman";"<br /><br />They have an additional clause which I had not thought of but which I would support:<br /><br />"To put a civil partner or surviving civil partner of a person admitted to freedom of a city in the same position as a spouse or surviving spouse of such a person" <br /><br />"These amendments can be made by an order of the Secretary of State, following a "qualifying resolution". <br /><br />"A "qualifying resolution" is one that is proposed by three or more "eligible persons", and passed by a majority of the eligible persons voting on the resolution, provided that at least 10% of those to whom notice is sent actually vote. An eligible person is a person whose name is on the roll of persons admitted to the freedom of the city."<br /><br />It would be very worthwhile both to hold the ballot and to see which way it would go. I am prepared to wait for (yet another) year just to let a little daylight into the issue of where the current Freemen actually stand in their dealings with the female half of their community.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16176639577285348003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post-49950306787225081082011-06-27T00:15:31.633+01:002011-06-27T00:15:31.633+01:00I've been a Freeman of Lancaster for 37 years ...I've been a Freeman of Lancaster for 37 years but I had no idea about this. I would be more than happy to be one of the three if I am one of the qualifying 60. But I think when they refer to the 60 it will be the ones who are at the top of the list and in reciept of the Marsh Grass payments. They are likely to be an older generation as it takes many many years to get to the top of the list and they are more likely to be set in their ways. My Brother is 69 and I'm not sure even he is up there yet!<br />I am sure there will be more than 60 Freemen in total.<br />If my Brother is one of the 60 though, I will have a word.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post-42966663922751496562011-06-24T00:28:55.694+01:002011-06-24T00:28:55.694+01:00Right now, a 16 year old Peruvian schoolboy can be...Right now, a 16 year old Peruvian schoolboy can become a Freeman of the City of Lancaster, if he was born here (say if his parents were here on holiday at the time) but the Leader of the City Council (a woman) cannot. But the taxes she and I pay must still, in some part, go towards paying council officers to promote this discrimination against us. <br /><br />As for becoming an 'Honorary Freewoman': this is an honour. One does not apply for it, it is bestowed. And, being honorary, it incurs none of the benefits that eligible freemen enjoy/ed. <br /><br />The point is, not to wangle in through loopholes, but to be treated fairly, straightforwardly, and equally. A man does not have to 'render eminent services', to qualify. He simply has to live locally for seven years or be born here. Many women find it is not beyond them to meet these same criteria, taking, in the former instance, exactly the same amount of time to do it;-) <br /><br />The Equality Act prohibits the council from providing services and benefits on a discriminatory basis. Women are not 'honorary' taxpayers. Public taxes must not fund services that discriminate by gender, all other things being equal. It's as plain as the nose on your face.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post-74493841707825486032011-06-22T19:37:20.973+01:002011-06-22T19:37:20.973+01:00Looks like LancasterCC's communications team n...Looks like LancasterCC's communications team need a bit of a spanking....<br /><br />http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/70/section/248<br /><br />I don't think this would be covered by discrimination as it's a status rather than employment and the Act itself is very clear on male or female.<br /><br />And based on the story, Ms Simpson would not be able to become a "Free[wo]man" as she does not meet the criteria.<br /><br />The criteria is stated in the Act of Parliament and therefore the Council would not be able to reverse this even with a petition.<br /><br />However Ms Simpson could push the council to scrap this system.<br /><br />HOWEVER.... a council can grant the title of Honory Free[wo]man! (Outside of the criteria)<br /><br />The question is .. have you "rendered eminent services" to the council district?<br /><br />I would totally push and support the Honorary usage of the title but scrap the outdated historic sexist usage of the title.Rick Seymourhttp://www.rickseymour.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post-6194142005412660682011-06-22T13:04:32.973+01:002011-06-22T13:04:32.973+01:00As a new councillor I'm shocked by this! Doesn...As a new councillor I'm shocked by this! Doesn't it contravene the Sex Discrimination Act? I guess it doesn't count as employment but it is clearly barring women from entry. Outdated and offensive, I'll certainly step up and I know other Greenies will too.ceri mumfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79367181454779028.post-66998196145721666892011-06-22T10:56:29.243+01:002011-06-22T10:56:29.243+01:00If the EDL can be made to change their admissions ...If the EDL can be made to change their admissions policy, then so can the freemen. Not that the freemen are anything like the EDL of course....<br />Still, it is a bit uncomfortable to realise that out of 60-odd members it only needed three to raise a motion to change things - but they never stepped up. Knowing that there are at least 60 freemen around who are keen to keep on scrounging sexist benefits doesn't exactly make me feel better about this city.<br />What have they got to say for themselves?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com