Former Fareham council leader and mayor Roger Price is now an Honorary Freeman, by unanimous vote. He was first elected in 1971 and served Portchester.

Alderman Roger Price, who first won a seat on a Fareham council in 1971, has been made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough. Councillors voted for it unanimously at a special meeting on 22 October. The minutes were published this week.

The motion recognised “his eminent services to the Council between 1974 and 2022 and the contribution he has made to the life of the Borough”. The Mayor, Councillor Tina Ellis, presented him with the document recording the grant, a scroll citation and the badge of office. He then signed the Roll of Honour.

Half a century on the council

The council leader, Councillor Simon Martin, set out the career when he called for the honour at July’s full council:

  • 1971: first elected to Fareham Urban District Council
  • 1974: elected to the new Fareham Borough Council as a councillor for Portchester
  • 4 years as Leader of the Council, and also Mayor of Fareham
  • 1993 to May 2026: Hampshire county councillor
  • Many years of work with the Pulheim twinning link and other outside bodies

Councillor Martin described “an immense contribution of 50 years” and said: “I think his service is unparalleled.” He called the freedom “the ultimate honour”.

The council’s papers differ slightly on when he left the borough council. The July statement says he stood down in May 2021, while the October motion gives 2022.

The meeting

The special meeting ran for 54 minutes, from 5.02pm, ahead of the ordinary council meeting that evening.

  • Proposed by: Councillor Connie Hockley
  • Seconded by: Councillor Pamela Bryant
  • Speakers in the debate: Councillors Bainbridge, Martin and Birkett, with Alderman Katrina Trott and Alderman Jim Forrest

Mr Price replied and thanked the council. The Mayor and the Chief Executive witnessed his signature on the roll.

The honour is a recognition rather than a set of privileges. Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, under which the meeting was called, lets a council admit people who have “rendered eminent services”. It also says admission does not confer the old rights of a freeman.

Why now

Councillor Martin linked the timing to the borough’s own future. In July, he said the plan was for the council to be dissolved on 1 April 2028, and that he wanted to recognise people who had made a significant contribution before then.

That date has since gone. The Government withdrew its Hampshire decision in September, and the new timetable points to 2029.

What it means for you

  • The honour is ceremonial. Nothing changes for residents, and there is no public event to attend.
  • You can nominate someone yourself. Nominations for the council’s Citizen of Honour and Young Citizen of Honour awards 2027 are open until 31 January 2027.
  • Who qualifies: nominees must live in the borough. The Young Citizen award is for those up to and including 17, the Citizen award for those 18 and over.
  • How to do it: go to fareham.gov.uk/COH or email mayorsoffice@fareham.gov.uk. There is one winner in each category.

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