45-473: The Borough of Boston is a local government district with borough status in Lincolnshire , England. Its council is based in the town of Boston . The borough also includes numerous villages and towns in the surrounding rural area including Kirton , Wyberton , Sutterton , Algakirk and Hubberts Bridge . The borough borders South Holland to the south, North Kesteven to the west, and East Lindsey to
90-569: A Livery Company. Freedom through nomination by two sponsors is available for a fee (known as a "fine") of £170, but is free to those on the electoral roll of the City. New freemen are enrolled in a ceremony in Guildhall, when they receive a guide to conducting their lives in an honourable fashion and a sealed certificate. Freemen's children get admission preference at the City of London Freemen's School . There are
135-434: A borough or district council. In these cases local government functions are divided between county and district councils, to the level where they can be practised most efficiently: Many districts have borough status , which means the local council is called a borough council instead of district council and gives them the right to appoint a mayor . Borough status is granted by royal charter and, in many cases, continues
180-412: A celebratory parade through the city. A slightly more common freedom of the city is connected to the medieval concept of "free status", when city and town charters drew a distinction between freemen and vassals of a feudal lord. As such, freemen actually pre-date modern boroughs . Early freedom of the boroughs ceremonies had great importance in affirming that the recipient enjoyed privileges such as
225-425: A district will consist of a market town and its more rural hinterland. However districts are diverse with some being mostly urban such as Dartford, and others more polycentric such as Thurrock. Non-metropolitan districts are subdivisions of English non-metropolitan counties which have a two-tier structure of local government. Two-tier non-metropolitan counties have a county council and several districts, each with
270-401: A freeman directly. Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne are bestowed the right to graze cattle on the town moor. Recipients of this honour have included athlete Mary Peters , actor Kenneth Branagh , diplomat John Jordan , industrialist Andrew Carnegie , shipowner Thomas Henry Ismay and Prime Minister Winston Churchill . In England, the most established borough freedom is that conferred by
315-607: A freeman of the city will also allow admission. In Great Grimsby , the widow of a freeman passes his rights to her second husband, who retains the privilege after either divorce from or death of the widow. The borough freedom is strongest in York, Chester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Coventry ; in Coventry, freedom is qualified by having served an apprenticeship. Durham and Northampton have extended their admission criteria to those who have served an apprenticeship without being "bound" (trained) by
360-572: A number of rights traditionally but apocryphally associated with freemen—the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge ; to a silken rope, if hanged; to carry a naked sword in public; or that if the City of London Police finds a freeman drunk and incapable, they will bundle him or her into a taxi and send them home rather than throw them into a cell. While sheep have occasionally been driven over London Bridge by freemen on special occasions, these privileges are now effectively symbolic. The right to herd sheep and cattle across London's four bridges
405-453: A resolution with a two-thirds majority. The exact qualifications for borough freedom differ between each city or town, but generally fall into two categories, "patrimony" (inheritance) and "servitude" (apprenticeship). For example, in Chester , only the children or grandchildren of freemen may apply for admission. In York, this extends to great- and great-great-grandchildren, and apprenticeship to
450-457: A style enjoyed by a predecessor authority, which can date back centuries. Some districts such as Oxford or Exeter have city status , granted by letters patent , but this does not give the local council any extra powers other than the right to call itself a city council . By 1899, England had been divided at district level into rural districts , urban districts , municipal boroughs , county boroughs and metropolitan boroughs . This system
495-486: A type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties (colloquially shire counties ) in a two-tier arrangement. Non-metropolitan districts with borough status are known as boroughs , able to appoint a mayor and refer to itself as a borough council. Some shire counties now have no sub divisions so are a single Non-metropolitan district such as Cornwall. Typically
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#1733092583169540-537: A unitary authority or those that transferred from one county to another, including those that changed name. Nor does it include unitary authorities that have been abolished ( Bournemouth and Poole ). Freedom of the City The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of the UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from
585-640: Is based at the Municipal Buildings on West Street in Boston. The building was built in 1902 for the old borough council to the designs of architect James Rowell. Much of the borough is covered by civil parishes , the exception being the pre-1974 municipal borough of Boston, which is an unparished area . The parishes are: On 23 June 2016 the Borough of Boston voted in the UK-wide Referendum on membership of
630-516: Is no longer economically relevant, as there are no livestock markets in the city. Nevertheless, this right has been exercised, or the city has granted permission, on several occasions in modern times: By 2015, the driving of sheep across the bridge had become an annual event, organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen livery company, typically to raise funds for the Lord Mayor's Appeal and
675-524: Is sometimes called the Freedom of Entry . This allows them the freedom to parade through the city, and is an affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry. The honour was sometimes accompanied by a "freedom box", a small gold box inscribed to record the occasion; these are not usual today. In some countries, such as the United States, esteemed residents and visitors may instead be presented with
720-584: The District Councils' Network , special interest group which sits within the Local Government Association . The network's purpose is to "act as an informed and representative advocate for districts to government and other national bodies, based on their unique position to deliver for local people." This is a list of two-tier non-metropolitan counties and their districts. All unitary authorities are also non-metropolitan districts, which, with
765-749: The European Union (EU) under the provisions of the European Union Referendum Act 2015 . In a turnout of 77%, over 75% voted to leave the EU, the highest leave majority of the 382 UK voting areas. The local MP Matt Warman , a Conservative, had campaigned for a "Remain" vote. The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Boston. 52°57′N 0°09′W / 52.95°N 0.15°W / 52.95; -0.15 Non-metropolitan district Non-metropolitan districts , or colloquially " shire districts ", are
810-447: The Key to the City , a similarly symbolic honour. Other US cities award Honorary Citizenship with just a certificate. Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to martial organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed". This honour dates back to ancient Rome which regarded the " pomerium ", the boundary of
855-527: The Tampa Convention Center and they demand that the mayor surrender the key to the city in a playful ceremony. In Canada, major cities including Toronto , Vancouver , and Montreal may award a key to the city to influential business leaders, musicians, and political leaders. In 2016, the Canadian recording artist Drake received a key to the city of Toronto , presented by the mayor John Tory . In
900-577: The "20-20 Independent Group". The next election is due in 2027. Since the last boundary changes in 2015 the council has comprised 30 councillors representing 15 wards , with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. A map of the wards is available, as is a map showing the Local Government Boundary Commission for England 's final recommendations for ward boundaries, October 2012. The wards, and their numbers of councillors, are: The council
945-474: The Boston Independents. Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows: The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Boston. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council . The leaders since 2006 have been: Following the 2023 election , the composition of the council was: The Liberal Democrat and three of the independent councillors sit together as
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#1733092583169990-541: The City is a privilege bestowed to individual units of the Canadian Forces . Many units exercise this privilege in conjunction with significant annual commemorations. The Calgary Highlanders commemorate the Battle of Kitcheners' Wood with an annual freedom of the city parade. In some countries, such as the United States, an ornamental key – the "key to the city" – is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others whom
1035-470: The City was an honour granted only to troops which had earned the trust of the local populace, either through some valiant action or simply by being a familiar presence. Today, martial freedom of the city is an entirely ceremonial honour, usually bestowed upon a unit with historic ties to the area, as a token of appreciation for their long and dedicated service. The awarding of the Freedom is often accompanied by
1080-420: The Freedom of the City of London , first recorded in 1237. This is closely tied to the role and status of the livery companies . From 1835, the freedom "without the intervention of a Livery Company" has been bestowed by a general resolution of Common Council, by "redemption" (purchase), at one time for an onerous sum. Now the Freedom can be obtained by servitude, by patrimony, by nomination, or by presentation via
1125-469: The Gild (archaic spelling used) of Freemen who continue to take an interest in the affairs of the city. New admissions are made every year (usually October) following an admission ceremony with the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall. Prince Andrew, Duke of York was given the honour in 1986, but a councillors' vote stripped him of the title after allegations of sexual abuse became public. In Ireland, borough freedom of
1170-585: The Worshipful Company of Woolmen. York has a long history of freemen dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with records dating back to 1272. Freemen may claim their rights through patronage (as far back as their great-great-grandparent, there are records of women being admitted in York in medieval times, a right forgotten for a time until the late 1970s when the gild carried out research and rediscovered it) or apprenticeship. Once sworn in, freemen can join
1215-449: The areas for Wales and England had been enacted separately and there were no Welsh metropolitan areas, the term 'non-metropolitan district' does not apply to Wales. A similar system existed in Scotland , which in 1975 was divided into regions and districts, this was also abolished in 1996 and replaced with a fully unitary system . In England most of the district councils are represented by
1260-501: The city is generally given to noted foreign and national dignitaries and the list rarely exceeds a few dozen. As in the United Kingdom, the title generally comes with various ancient privileges – for instance, freemen of Dublin are allowed the right to vote in certain elections, bring goods for sale in the city without customs and the right to pasture sheep on common ground such as College Green and St. Stephen's Green . Freedom of
1305-471: The city wishes to honour. This practice is a variation on the freedom of the city tradition, and has a similar symbolic meaning; evoking medieval walled cities, the gates of which would be guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolises the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents. In some cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany,
1350-526: The city, as sacred. Promagistrates and generals were forbidden from entering it, and resigned their imperium immediately upon crossing it. An exception was made for victory celebrations (called triumphs ), during which the victorious general would be permitted to enter for one day only. Under the Republic, soldiers also lost their status when entering, becoming citizens: thus soldiers at their general's triumph wore civilian dress. Weapons were also banned inside
1395-488: The enlarged district from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor, continuing Boston's series of mayors dating back to 1545. The borough covers the northern part of Holland , one of the three traditional Parts of Lincolnshire . Holland had been an administrative county between 1889 and 1974. In 2020 the council agreed to share its management and other staff with neighbouring East Lindsey District Council. South Holland District Council joined
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1440-487: The exception of those of Berkshire , are coterminous with non-metropolitan counties. For a full list of districts of all types including unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London boroughs , see Districts of England . This is a list of former two-tier districts in England which have been abolished, by local government reorganisations such as the 2009 structural changes to local government in England . It does not include districts that still exist after becoming
1485-599: The grant of honorary freedom in the United Kingdom is governed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 ). The 1972 Act enabled the councils of cities, royal boroughs , boroughs , and parishes (or, in Wales, communities ) with the status of a royal town to confer the status of honorary freeman on "persons of distinction and persons who have, in
1530-405: The key to the city is given to the so-called ' prins carnaval [ nl ] ' who leads the carnivals which take place the week prior to Septuagesima . The tradition is that the mayor steps down for this period and power is transferred to the prince carnival, who then returns the key at the end of Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras . Today, the handing over of the key is mostly symbolic and marks
1575-430: The medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom , the tradition still lives on in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand—although today the title of "freeman" confers no special privileges. The Freedom of the City can also be granted by municipal authorities to military units which have earned the city's trust; in this context, it
1620-487: The north. To the east, it has a coast onto the Wash . The town of Boston had been incorporated as an ancient borough in 1545. It was reformed to become a municipal borough in 1836. The modern borough was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , by merging the municipal borough of Boston with Boston Rural District . The new district was named Boston after its only town. Boston's borough status passed to
1665-412: The opinion of the council, rendered eminent services" to the local area. The 2009 Act extends the ability to grant the status of honorary freeman to any county, city, district , borough, town, parish or community council (so removing the requirement for the town to have 'royal' status, and also enabling county councils to confer the honour). A special meeting of the council can grant the honour by passing
1710-417: The partnership in 2021, which is now described as the "South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership". Boston Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Lincolnshire County Council . Much of the borough is covered by civil parishes , which form a third tier of local government. Since the 2023 election the council has been under the control of local party
1755-454: The pomerium for religious and traditional reasons. (The assassination of Julius Caesar occurred outside this boundary.) Similar laws were passed by other European cities throughout the Medieval era, to protect public security and civic rights, even against their own king's troops. As a result, soldiers would be forced to camp outside the walls of the city during the winter months. The Freedom of
1800-418: The right to trade and own property, and protection within the town. In modern society, the award of honorary freedom of the city or borough tends to be entirely ceremonial, given by the local government in many towns and cities on those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the city wishes to bestow an honour. Before parliamentary reform in 1832, freedom of the city or town conferred
1845-527: The right to vote in the parliamentary boroughs for the MPs. Until the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 the freemen were the exclusive electorate for some of the boroughs. These two acts together curtailed the power of the freemen and extended the franchise to all " householders " (defined as local rate payers; in fact therefore property owners). The private property belonging to the freemen collectively
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1890-577: The start and end of the carnival. A similar tradition exists in some festivities in Latin America (like in Rio Carnival ), where the festival's King Momo receives the key to the city at the start of the festivities. As part of the yearly Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida a friendly invasion by the crew of the mythical pirate José Gaspar is recreated where costumed pirates make their way to
1935-526: The two-tier structure, but reforms in the 1990s and 2009 reduced their number to 192. A further 55 non-metropolitan districts are now unitary authorities, which combine the functions of county and borough/district councils. In Wales , an almost identical two-tier system of local government existed between 1974 and 1996 (see Districts of Wales ). In 1996, this was abolished and replaced with an entirely unitary system of local government, with one level of local government responsible for all local services. Since
1980-611: Was abolished by the London Government Act 1963 and the Local Government Act 1972 . Non-metropolitan districts were created by this act in 1974 when England outside Greater London was divided into metropolitan counties and non-metropolitan counties. Metropolitan counties were sub-divided into metropolitan districts and the non-metropolitan counties were sub-divided into non-metropolitan districts. The metropolitan districts had more powers than their non-metropolitan counterparts. Initially, there were 296 non-metropolitan districts in
2025-405: Was retained. The freemen of York , Oxford and Newcastle upon Tyne still own considerable areas within their towns, although the income is effectively given to support charitable objects. The Local Government Act 1972 specifically preserved freemen's rights. The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 removed any restrictions entitling only men to be freemen. Today,
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