Agenda item

Freedom of the Borough - Ministry of Defence Joint Hospital Group

Minutes:

In 1996, following the closure of the Cambridge Military Hospital in nearby Aldershot, Frimley Park Hospital had become the first NHS hospital in the country to host a military medical unit.  The Joint Hospital Group employed over 1200 single Service medical staff from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force who were embedded within the NHS throughout the country, supported by 5 tri-Service Joint Hospital Group units.It was reported that there were over 200 military personnel working at Frimley Park Hospital.

 

Given the longstanding links between the Borough, Frimley Park Hospital and the MOD Joint Hospital Group and in recognition of the extraordinary service it had provided during the pandemic, it was proposed to mark and celebrate its contribution to the Borough and the community by conferring the Honorary Freedom of the Borough on all ranks of this military unit.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(i)        in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council of the Borough of Surrey Heath,  DO HEREBY CONFER upon All Ranks of the Ministry of Defence Joint Hospital Group located at Frimley Park Hospital, the HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH OF SURREY HEATH and thereby the right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating and bayonets fixed; and the Chief Executive be authorised to cause the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to the Scroll signifying the Grant of the Freedom of the Borough to the Ministry of Defence Joint Hospital Group;

 

(ii)      the Commanding Officer of the Joint Hospital Group (South East),  Lt Col Tessa J Grieves RRC, be invited to consider the Joint Hospital Group (South East)marching ceremonially through the Borough, on Sunday 12th September 2021, with Colours flying and bayonets fixed; and

 

(iii)     a budget of up to £10,000 be made available if required and authority be delegated to the Executive Head, Transformation to manage this budget.

 

 

Supporting documents: