Sir Bob Russell receives the Honorary Freedom of the City at the Moot Hall at 6pm on Wednesday 16 September. The public can attend both ceremonies, free.

Colchester will confer its highest civic honour on Sir Bob Russell on Wednesday evening. The council is holding two special meetings back to back at the Moot Hall, and both are open to the public.

At 6pm, councillors vote on a motion to confer the Honorary Freedom of the City of Colchester on Sir Robert Edward Russell, “in recognition and appreciation of his eminent service to the City of Colchester”. At 6.30pm, a second special meeting votes to make two former councillors, Roger Buston and Jacqueline Maclean, Honorary Aldermen of the city. Both agendas were published on Friday 11 September.

What happens at 6pm

Before the vote on the Freedom, the Mayor, Councillor Andrew Ellis, will be given something for the city. The agenda records that he will receive, on behalf of Colchester, a limited-edition bronze maquette of the Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue. It is presented by Sir Bob Russell and Colin Knowles on behalf of the Colchester Military Heritage Group, along with a pen and ink drawing of the statue in its setting by Molly Kirton. (Special Full Council agenda, 16 September, 6pm)

The full-size statue was unveiled at a ceremony on 31 July. It marks 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade being based at Merville Barracks, and the council took it on as a gift. (Colchester City Council, 5 August 2026)

The Mayor will then invite the Chaplain to say a prayer, and the meeting turns to the motion.

Why this needs a meeting of its own

Neither honour can be handed over at an ordinary council meeting. Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 sets the same two conditions for both:

  • the meeting must be specially convened for the purpose, with notice of the object
  • the resolution must pass by not less than two-thirds of the members voting on it

That is why there are two separate half-hour meetings in the diary rather than one item on a longer agenda. The Act is equally clear about what the titles do not do. An honorary alderman “may attend and take part in such civic ceremonies as the council may from time to time decide” but has no right to attend council meetings or to be paid allowances, and the Freedom confers no right to take part in council business either.

Sir Bob Russell’s record with the council

Colchester has honoured him before. The council’s list of Honorary Aldermen has “Sir Robert (Bob) Edward Russell” appointed in September 2002, one of 25 names on it. The council’s criteria for that title are at least 16 years as a councillor, or having served as Mayor. He had done both: the council’s record of mayors since 1836 lists R E Russell as Mayor of Colchester for 1986/87.

He was also the town’s MP. Parliament’s own register has him as the Liberal Democrat Member for Colchester from 1 May 1997, leaving the Commons at the dissolution on 30 March 2015, eighteen years later. (UK Parliament members register)

The 6.30pm ceremony, step by step

The council has published its running order for the aldermen ceremony, which is unusually detailed for a public agenda. It sets out that:

  • councillors and honorary aldermen collect robes from the North Committee Room and take their seats before 6pm
  • seating is available in the Moot Hall for members of the public and for the former councillors’ personal guests
  • former Councillors Buston and Maclean sit in front of the stage
  • the Leader of the Council moves the motion, councillors and honorary aldermen may speak, and it is then put to the vote
  • each new alderman receives a robe from the Town Serjeant, and the Mayor presents the transcript of the resolution
  • guests are told they may take photographs at that point
  • each responds to the Council, then the Mayor processes out behind the mace

The Mayor then hosts a reception in the Civic Suite for councillors, honorary aldermen and invited guests. One footnote in the council’s note is a small piece of civic trivia: because it is an honorary office, new honorary aldermen do not sign the declaration book and make no declaration or oath. (Ceremony for the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen, 16 September 2026)

What it means for you

You can go, and it costs nothing. Both meetings are at the Moot Hall, Town Hall, High Street, Colchester CO1 1PJ. The first starts at 6pm and is scheduled to finish at 6.30pm; the second runs from 6.30pm to 7pm. There is no ticket and no registration for watching, and neither agenda carries a Have Your Say! item, so this is a ceremony to attend rather than one to speak at.

Two practical things before you set off. The council warns that it is a condition of entry that members of the public are searched on arrival, and that placards, large bags, umbrellas and food must be left in reception. Wheelchair access to the Town Hall is from the rear, off St Runwald Street.

If you cannot get there, the council streams its public meetings live and puts the recordings on its YouTube channel afterwards.

Two councillors have already sent apologies for the evening, Councillors Appleton and Moffat.

For the council’s other business this month, see our report on the withdrawal of the plan to abolish Colchester City Council.

Sources