LORD Mason, the son of a miner and the only politician from Barnsley to become a Cabinet minister, is to be given the freedom of the borough.
The honour was discussed at a meeting of the council's ruling Labour group last week and the documentation is being drawn up.
Council leader Coun Steve Houghton said Lord Mason has spent more than 50 years representing Barnsley as a trade unionist, MP and as a member of the House of Lords.
"He is the only Barnsley man who has been a Cabinet minister and we think it is appropriate that such long and dedicated service to Barnsley should be fully recognised," he said.
Lord Mason, 83, said:"I cannot say anything until I receive official confirmation from the council. I do not know anything about it - it's a case of wait and see."
Lord Mason was a miner from 1938 to 1953 and a member of the Yorkshire miners' council from 1949 to 1953.
