Freedom of the borough

The freedom of the borough is the highest award that we can give and is an honour bestowed on few people. It is awarded to people and organisations who have provided outstanding services to the borough.

Individuals granted honorary freedom of the borough and entered on the honorary freemen’s roll

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (2021)

The Council conferred the freedom of the borough on Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 21 July 2021.

The award was given in appreciation and acknowledgement of the unique challenges the Trust has faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has had to deal with unprecedented levels of ill health, enormous pressure on Homerton University Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, significant demands on staff helping patients recover from long Covid and organisational difficulties.

Despite these challenges, staff from all sections of the Trust – led with dedication by chief executive Tracey Fletcher – have performed above and beyond the call of duty, including doctors, nurses, porters, catering staff, maintenance workers, care workers, cleaners, ancillary staff and volunteers.

It is with great sadness that we also remember and pay tribute to the Homerton Hospital staff who tragically lost their lives whilst caring for and protecting their patients with compassion and dedication.

As we emerge from the pandemic, we will work to ensure that the sacrifices made by Homerton’s staff are never forgotten. We are incredibly grateful for the tireless work and dedication of Homerton’s staff, and it is recognised by the award of freedom of the borough.

Volunteer Centre Hackney (2021)

On 21 July 2021 the Council also conferred the freedom of the borough on Volunteer Centre Hackney (VCH) which provided residents with much needed support long before the pandemic hit, but none of what we have achieved as a borough during the pandemic could have been possible without the tireless dedication of VCH, who have been at the forefront of the local community response to coronavirus.

This work includes recruiting, training and deploying over 1,000 volunteers to areas where they’re most needed and delivering around 1,500 food packages during the first lockdown; working with partners to train 120 frontline workers and volunteers to provide critical public health advice; setting up a prescription delivery service to ensure shielding residents receive the medication they need, and supporting 96 local community organisations – including the borough’s 20 mutual aid groups – to grow and develop, while continuing to manage and deliver their own volunteering projects.

There is no doubt that their work will have saved lives. It is for these reasons that we’ve awarded VCH freedom of the borough.

Lieutenant Colonel Roderick Morriss (2015)

The Council conferred the freedom of the borough on Lieutenant Colonel Roderick Morriss TD DL, The Representative Deputy Lieutenant to the London Borough of Hackney, on 25 February 2015. The award was given in appreciation and acknowledgement of his service as Deputy Lieutenant, a voluntary, unpaid position open to distinguished residents who have either served the local community or have a history of service in other fields.

Lt. Col. Morriss is well known locally for service to the local community through public life, charitable activity, voluntary service and the uniformed services. He is currently President of the Royal British Legion in Hackney, Committee Vice-Chair of the 444 (Shoreditch) Squadron Air Training Corps, Vice President of the London North East Scout County and President of the North East London Normandy Veterans Association which covers Hackney.

Councillor Saleem Siddiqui (2013)

At a meeting of the Council of the London Borough of Hackney, specially convened in accordance with section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and held at the Town Hall, Hackney 30 October 2013, the Council conferred upon Councillor Saleem Siddiqui the honorary freedom of the London Borough of Hackney.

This was in appreciation and acknowledgement of the eminent service he has rendered with distinction as a Councillor of the London Borough of Hackney from 1990 to present.

3MI Battalion (2008)

The Council conferred 3 Military Intelligence Battalion (Volunteers) the honorary freedom of the borough in recognition and acknowledgement of the eminent services rendered by, and close association of, 3 Military Intelligence Battalion (Volunteers) to the Council.

This was also in acknowledgement that 3 MI Battalion (Volunteers), the only reserve force unit with a presence in the borough, recruits from the borough and seizes every opportunity to participate in the borough’s activities.

Gordon Bell (2001)

The Council conferred Gordon Bell as freeman of the borough at a special meeting of Council held on 19 April 2001.

The honour was conferred in appreciation and acknowledgement of his eminent service as a Councillor from 1968 to 1971; a school governor including nineteen years as Chairman of the Governing body of Downsview School; a founding member of the local Community Health Council; a member of Hackney Hospital Management Committee and the City and Hackney Health Authority; Chair of the Hackney Association for the Disabled and Vice Chair of the Hackney Association for the Welfare of Old People and his active promotion of Hackney’s Twinning links and as the Chairman of Stamford Hill Regeneration Board accordingly.