New civic honour set to recognise those who have ‘brought distinction’ to Birmingham

Birmingham City Council will be asked to approve the creation of a new civic honour next week that is designed to recognise an individual or organisation that has “brought distinction to the city”.

The City of Birmingham Medal would be in addition to two existing civic awards.

“Currently the City has two types of civic awards,” said Robert Connelly, assistant director for governance at Birmingham City Council. “The first is the Freedom of the City which can be conferred on both individuals and organisations. The second is the Lord Mayor awards which are bestowed by the Lord Mayor.

“It is proposed that the City of Birmingham Medal will complement both the Freedom of the City and the Lord Mayors award as a way to recognise outstanding achievement and contribution to the city and its citizens.”

The Freedom of the City has been awarded to an individual only once this century – to Peter Hollingworth, in 2011, who served as councillor for Harborne for 51 years. Before him the previous awards went to conductor Sir Simon Rattle and round-the-world yatchswoman Lisa Clayton in 1996.

It is envisaged that a recipient will have “brought distinction” on Birmingham, enhancing the city’s reputation, improved the lives of others, or “demonstrated vision and entrepreneurship”.

Anyone would be able to nominate an individual or organisation for a City of Birmingham Medal, although any councillors nominating will need another nine elected colleagues, including someone from another party.

Former councillors would “not ordinarily be considered” as there is a separate statutory provision for conferring the title of “Honorary Alderman” on former councillors.

Once a nomination is considered worthy, it will have to be approved by two-thirds of councillors at a City Council meeting.