A lawman, churchman and two prominent politicians are poised to be made freemen of Carlisle.

Motions have been put forward for the rare honour to be handed to Judge Paul Batty QC, Canon Michael Roan, ex-MP Eric Martlew and former city council leader Mike Mitchelson.

It’s a move that will see them recognised as “persons of distinction” who have “rendered eminent services to our area”.

Only a handful of people have ever been appointed freemen, among them former city MP Ron Lewis, Viscount Willie Whitelaw and renowned businessman and philanthropist Sir Robert Chance.

A special sitting of the full city council will be asked to consider the nominations next week. Approval requires the support of two thirds of councillors.

They already have the support of the council’s Labour leader Colin Glover and opposition Conservative group leader John Mallinson.

Judge Batty was – until this week – Cumbria’s most senior judge before he moved to a new post in York. He had sat at the city’s crown court since 2003 and was given the honorary title of Recorder of Carlisle in 2012.

Canon Roan is widely considered as one of Cumbria’s most eminent clergymen, having been ordained as a priest more than 65 years ago.

Mr Martlew was the city’s Labour MP for 23 years before his retirement in 2010 and was a high-profile figure, championing the city on a raft of issues, crucially during both the foot and mouth crisis of 2001 and when devastating floods struck in 2005.

Those same crises were among the defining moments in the political career of Mr Mitchelson, the city council’s Conservative leader for 13 years until 2012.

Mr Glover believes the honours are fitting, with no freemen appointed in about 20 years.

He said: “Although we’re looking forward as a city, we’re proud of our heritage and felt the time was appropriate to recognise those who have served the city.”

Leading councillors believe it important the contribution of the politicians be marked and, of the non-political nominations, Mr Glover added: “Canon Roan has been part of life in the city for so many years, stepping in as council chaplain on many occasions.

“Judge Batty has really connected the judiciary to the city and has been a strong advocate for the community. We were sad to hear he is moving on. He will be a big miss, but hope this will maintain his connection to the city so he can come back and be part of civic occasions.”

Mr Mallinson also believes it is important that service is recognised.

“Canon Roan is a prime example. He has been one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith for many years in Carlisle and Judge Batty has been an excellent recorder, always keen to be part of civic life,” he said.

Other honorary freemen include Prince Charles, granted the honour when he visit the city with Princess Diana in 1986.

Former mayor Hugh Little was recognised “in appreciation and acknowledgement of his distinguished local services as a member of the city council for 28 years, and mayor in 1973 to 74”.

Conferred alongside him in 1990 was Ron Wilson “in recognition of the eminent services rendered by him as city treasurer, then town clerk and chief executive of the city of Carlisle, 1974 to 1990”.

If the latest nominations are approved, a special freedom ceremony will be arranged, where caskets containing an address to each of the recipients will be presented.

It is also recommended that Judge Batty be gifted his ceremonial robes.