The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that the council can bestow.

It is a power that is very rarely used and is normally only awarded to local people who have in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough.

The award of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough does not convey with it any legal rights or responsibilities, other than a ceremonial role at civic functions. The award dates back to the middle ages when Freemen had commercial privileges and a route into a position of power in a town or city.

A list of Honorary Freeman/Freewoman is shown below:

Name

Year

The Marquis of Anglesey GCVO

1912

Ald. Thomas Jenkins JP

1935

Ald. George Hill JB

1935

Ald. Alfred John Thornley JP

1935

Ald. John Gretton PC CBE

1943

Ald. William Henry Giles JP

1949

Ald. William Hutson JP

1949

Sir Francis Raymond Evershed PC

1951

Ald. Joseph William Clark JP

1953

Ald. George Edward Rider

1960

Ald. James Henry Jones JP

1960

Ald. Horace Leonard Pritchard

1974

Ald. Geoffrey Thomas Osborne

1974

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue

1998

Mr Frederick William Saunders OBE

2005

Mr Ben Robinson

2010

Mrs Noreen Oliver MBE

2011

Burton Amateur Boxing Club

2012

Adam Peaty 2016
The Windrush Generation 2023