Freedom of Barry granted to Senedd Member and Barry Councillor

Freedom of Barry granted to Senedd Member and Barry Councillor

A special event was held on Thursday 1st May, at which Barry Town Council granted the Freedom of Barry to Senedd member, Jane Hutt CBE MS, and Councillor Steffan Wiliam.

The Freedom of the Town is a special award made by Barry Town Council which recognises exceptional contribution to sport, arts, science or the community of Barry. It is the highest honour the Council can bestow upon an individual.

Previous winners include Boxing World Champion, Lee Selby; Olympic and Commonwealth medal winning swimmer, David Davies, Professor Emeritus of Women’s History, Deirdre Beddoe, and footballers Sophie Ingle and Ayshea Martyn.

Jane Hutt CBE MS was nominated, in particular, for her work to improve the lives of everyone in Barry through her commitment to equality and justice, and for her unparalleled work ethic and dedication to public service. Additionally, the nomination highlighted the encouragement offered to so many people to become involved in our community in Barry by supporting groups, organisations and individuals to enable them to reach their potential.

Cllr Steffan Wiliam was nominated in recognition of over 25 years of continuous, dedicated service to his constituents and to Barry Town Council, since his election as a Town Councillor in May 1999. Councillor Wiliam also served as Town Mayor from 2021-2022.

Speaking after the ceremony the Mayor of Barry, Councillor Catherine Iannucci-Williams:

“It was a privilege to be able to present the Freedom of the Town award to Jane and Steffan, and honour their contributions to public life in Barry. The award recognises their incredible commitment to Barry and its residents, and all the hard work they have put in over the past 25 years”

Jane Hutt CBE MS said:

“I was very grateful to be awarded the Freedom of the Town by Barry Town Council. It has been a privilege to represent Barry and the wider Vale in the Senedd for so many years and I am proud to call Barry my home. We are a vibrant and diverse community, and I am grateful to have worked with so many local businesses, organisations, and voluntary groups and to meet so many residents here over the years. I will continue to work as hard as ever, standing up for my home town and for the social justice principles and values that brought me into politics”.

Councillor Steffan Wiliam commented:

“Being awarded the freedom of this town and whose people I love so much means more to me than anything. I feel grateful and humbled by this. There are others past and present who are far more deserving of this tribute than me, and in their honour, I vow to the people of Barry to try every day to become worthy of the huge privilege that has been bestowed upon me.”

Both nominations were passed unanimously in a vote by the Council.