Former council leader Alderman Jack Kemp, who was a councillor for 50 years, was granted Freedom of the Borough at a full council meeting.

It is the highest honour the council can bestow on an individual and is only granted in very special cases.

Alderman Kemp, who also served as Stafford's Mayor, was nominated to receive the award for his "huge contribution" to the area - with cllrs unanimously backing the move.

He is the latest to sign the 126-year-old 'Freedom of the Borough' book which was also signed by Winston Churchill, who received Freedom of Stafford Borough in 1946 as recognition of his leadership during World War Two and more recently local hero, kayaker Joe Clarke, who won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

After thanking his friends, cllrs and officers for their support, Alderman Kemp said: "It is an honour to join a select group of people who have been given the Freedom of the Borough."

Cllr Aidan Godfrey said: "Freedom of the Borough is not given very often.

"It is the highest honour we can bestow on a person and nobody deserves this more than Alderman Jack Kemp.

"He has given over 50 years' service to this council – an achievement that is unique and will never be bettered.

advertisement

"He has helped hundreds of people over the years and many people's lives have been improved because of his help."

Mayor of Stafford Borough, Cllr Mark Winnington presented Alderman Kemp with the 'Freedom Scroll' yesterday (21 July).

The book dates back to 1899.

An official report to the local authority stated: "The Council has powers to confer Honorary Freedom of the Borough under section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972.

"This provides that the Council may, by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, admit to be Honorary Freeman of the Borough persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough."