The Civic Recognition Panel of Bexley Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, to consider nominations for the 2026 Civic Recognition Awards. The meeting's agenda included a review of declarations of interest, any late business, and the exclusion of the press and public for specific agenda items. The primary focus was on the nominations received for the three civic award categories: Young People, Voluntary Service by Adults, and Outstanding Achievement.

Civic Recognition Awards - Nominations for 2026 Awards

The panel was set to consider nominations for the 2026 Civic Recognition Awards, a scheme established in June 2000. The awards aim to recognise individuals and groups for their contributions to the community. The report pack outlined the criteria for each of the three award categories:

• Civic Recognition of Young People (aged under 18): Nominations generally needed to demonstrate continuous voluntary service over a long period, largely initiated by the young person and not under close supervision or part of a training course.
• Civic Recognition of Voluntary Service by Adults (aged over 18): This category required a continuous period of voluntary service of at least 20 years, with the service having advanced the wellbeing of individuals or groups in the Borough, helped people lead more productive lives, or changed communities for the better.
• Civic Recognition of Outstanding Achievement (all ages): Examples of outstanding achievement included international or national success in sport or culture, significant innovations benefiting the community, substantial success in business that benefits the local economy or regeneration, exceptional voluntary service, or acts of exceptional bravery or courage.

Publicity for the 2026 awards included a press release, emails to community contacts, a video from the Mayor, and internal advertising on B:Hive and council TV screens. All councillors and the Corporate Leadership Team were also encouraged to promote the awards. Nominations were accepted via an online form, as well as written and emailed submissions.

For the 2025 awards, a total of 79 nominations were received: 2 for Young People, 46 for Voluntary Service by Adults, and 31 for Outstanding Achievement. The details of the nominations for the 2026 awards were to be considered in exempt appendices. The report indicated that all costs associated with the administration of the awards would be met from existing budgets allocated to the Civic Recognition Awards Scheme.

Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

The meeting was scheduled to include a review of declarations of interest and dispensations. The report pack provided general guidance for members on declaring interests, distinguishing between Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests. A Disclosable Pecuniary Interest includes not only a member's own interests but also those of their spouse, civil partner, or someone they live with as such, as far as they are aware. Other Significant Interests relate to financial positions of associated persons or applications for approvals, consents, licences, permissions, or registrations. The guidance detailed the actions members must take if they have an interest to declare, including leaving the room during discussion and voting on the matter, unless a dispensation has been granted. The report also outlined the definitions of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests as prescribed by The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012¹.

Items of Late Business

The agenda included a provision for items of late business. The Council's Committee Procedure Rules allow for the consideration of such items only if the Chair is satisfied that, due to special circumstances, the item should be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Any such item would need to be reported in advance to the Committee Officer to allow the Chair to decide whether to add it to the agenda and ensure relevant information is circulated.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

A notice of motion was scheduled to be considered regarding the exclusion of the press and public from agenda item 6, specifically the exempt appendices related to the Civic Recognition Awards nominations. This exclusion was proposed because the documents were considered to contain exempt information under paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972², relating to information about individuals. The report stated that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.