Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The Chair welcomed Commander Steve Heneghan, Deputy Naval Regional Commander Wales & Western England and Mr. David Alexander, Representative of the Royal Navy on Anglesey.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services in relation to the granting of the Freedom of the County to The Royal Navy Submarine Service.

In December 2013 the County Council approved the following Notice of Motion :-

“We, the undersigned, request that the Isle of Anglesey County Council grant the Freedom of the County to the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy Association.  This is in recognition of keeping sea lanes safe, the trade that exists between the United Kingdom and the rest of the World.  This granting of the Freedom should be seen as an event to commemorate the Great War of 1914 – 1918 and the 70^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.”

It was noted that to confer the Freedom of the County requires particular protocols and procedures and a ceremonial occasion organised to meet certain criteria.  The following procedures would be necessary :-

A report submitted to a Special Meeting of the Council which recommends that, using its powers under S.249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council should consider offering the Freedom of the County to the Royal Navy Submarine Service.  A two thirds majority of the Council is required in order to pass the resolution and uniformed representatives of the Royal Navy Submarine Service would be present in order to accept the offer on behalf of the Royal Navy. 

Councillor Aled M. Jones gave the history of the Royal Navy and the links with the Isle of Anglesey and the North Wales coastline.  He made reference to the Submarine Service and the history of courageous acts during both World Wars.  He referred to Mr. William Williams from Amlwch who received the Victoria Cross for gallantry when serving as a seaman in the Royal Navy during the First World War.

The Royal Navy and Merchant Navy worked successfully together during the Falklands conflict in 1982.  A local Amlwch man Lieutenant Keith Mills of the Royal Marines was instrumental in defending South Georgia during the Falklands War. 

Councillor R.Ll. Jones said that the Royal Navy Submarine Service has strong links with Holyhead.  He referred to HMS Thetis which tragically sank off the coast of Anglesey in 1939 with the loss of 99 lives.  The great dignity shown by the people of Holyhead was immense and the young men were buried with full naval honours at Maeshyfryd Cemetery in Holyhead. 

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the Isle of Anglesey County Council grants the Freedom of the County to the Royal Navy Submarine Service and that arrangements be made to organise the Freedom of the County Ceremony in Holyhead on the last weekend in June, 2018.  

The Chair invited Commander Steve Heneghan to address the meeting.

Commander Heneghan said that on behalf of the First Sea Lord and Chief Of Naval Staff Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC he was delighted to accept the formal proposal of the honour of the Freedom of the County of the Isle of Anglesey on behalf of the Submarine Service.   He said that there have been long associations between the Royal Navy and the North Wales coast and particularly the Island of Anglesey for many years.