Sefton Council honours Frank Cottrell-Boyce with Freedom of the Borough

Sefton Council has awarded acclaimed screenwriter, author, and Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce the Honorary Freedom of the Borough – the highest accolade the Council can bestow.

The honour recognises the outstanding contributions Frank Cottrell-Boyce has made to arts, literature, and community engagement across Sefton. Born and still living in Sefton, he has become a national treasure through his celebrated screenwriting, award-winning children’s books and his tireless advocacy for literacy and creativity.

A civic reception will be held at Bootle Town Hall following an Extraordinary Council meeting, where the formal resolution will be passed.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said:

“Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a true inspiration and a cherished member of our community.

“His work has brought joy to millions and his commitment to nurturing creativity and literacy in Sefton is nothing short of remarkable. We are immensely proud to honour him with the Freedom of the Borough – a recognition he richly deserves.”

Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s support for local initiatives such as Y-Kids and the Kingsley & Co bookshop in Bootle Strand has helped inspire thousands of children to discover the joy of reading and storytelling. His books often feature Bootle in a positive light, and his generosity with time and encouragement has made a lasting impact on families and educators across Sefton.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce said:

“It’s a huge honour to receive the Freedom of the Borough from a place that has shaped so much of who I am.

“Sefton is full of stories, full of heart, and full of hope – and I’ve always tried to reflect that in my work. I’m deeply grateful to the Council and to the community for this recognition.”

Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that the Council can bestow. In receiving it, Frank Cottrell-Boyce joins a distinguished list that includes local footballers Jamie Carragher and Alex Greenwood and the late Donald “Ginger” McCain, trainer of three-time Grand National Winner Red Rum.

Sefton Council has also awarded the Freedom of the Borough to Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. This was in recognition of their staff’s “hard work and dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic”