The Borough of Stafford has conferred its Freedom of the Borough on Alderman Jack Kemp, recognising more than five decades of service to the local authority and the community. The decision, taken at a full council meeting on Tuesday, was supported unanimously by councillors.
Highest civic honour for long service
The award entrusts Alderman Kemp with a place in the council’s historic roll of honour, a book that dates back to 1899. Previous recipients include wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill (granted the honour in 1946) and Olympic kayak champion Joe Clarke (granted the honour in 2016).
At the meeting Kemp was presented with the 'Freedom Scroll' by the Mayor of Stafford Borough, Councillor Mark Winnington, and his name was formally entered in the borough’s record.
"It is an honour to join a select group of people who have been given the Freedom of the Borough,"
The council report outlining the award noted that the power to confer Honorary Freedom of the Borough is provided by section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 and requires a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of members at a specially convened meeting.
Local reaction and council remarks
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Aidan Godfrey paid tribute to Kemp’s longstanding contribution.
"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,"
Councillor Godfrey added that Kemp’s more than 50 years’ service to the council was a unique achievement and that he had helped hundreds of residents over the decades.
- Recipient: Alderman Jack Kemp — awarded Freedom of the Borough in 2026
- Presentation: Scroll presented by Mayor Mark Winnington
- Legal basis: Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972; requires two-thirds majority
Context in the borough’s civic history
The Freedom Scroll is an emblematic civic recognition in Stafford. The council’s report emphasised that the honour is reserved for persons of distinction or those who, in the opinion of the council, have rendered eminent service to the borough.
| Name | Year | Reason (as recorded) |
|---|---|---|
| Winston Churchill | 1946 | Recognition of leadership during the war |
| Joe Clarke | 2016 | Olympic kayak champion; presented during Christmas lights event |
| Alderman Jack Kemp | 2026 | More than 50 years' service to the council and the borough |
The scroll and entry into the book place Kemp among a select group of individuals who have been formally recognised by the borough. The council said the award follows the statutory procedure and is not given lightly.
For local residents, the honour underlines the role of long-serving councillors in sustaining community support and local services. The record now joins earlier entries that reflect both national figures and local sporting success.
