Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Huw Jones, Lead Member for Leisure, Youth, Tourism and Rural Development (copy enclosed) presenting the proposed new Street Naming and Numbering Policy for approval together with a change in the delegated power for the function.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       agree the proposed new Street Naming and Numbering Policy as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report subject to the following amendments -

-       paragraph 4.3, Section C be re-worded to clarify that the Council could not refuse a request to add a property name to an existing numbered property but would issue guidance as to the appropriateness of the property name in order to avoid conflict and causing offence

-       deletion of paragraph 1.9, Section B relating to the use of punctuation

-       inclusion of “Court” and “View” on the list of acceptable suffixes

-       that paragraph 1.6, Section B be amended with the additional words “unless a clear case is made as to the historical or cultural link of the individual to the land or locality”, and

(b)       note that the street naming and numbering function was managed by the Head of Business Improvement and Modernisation.

Councillor Huw Jones submitted a report (previously circulated) presenting the proposed new Street Naming and Numbering Policy for approval.

Members were advised that the existing 1997 policy had been updated and improved to provide greater clarity and a more robust set of procedures for dealing with street naming and numbering.  In view of concerns raised at the Bilingual Forum the policy included provision to rename streets with a single language name to a bilingual one, and all new street names would either be Welsh or bilingual.  A procedure had been drawn up for that purpose which involved wider consultation, and cost implications had been detailed within the report.

Cabinet welcomed the policy in providing clear guidance and procedures and was pleased to note the involvement of town/community councils and local residents within the process.  Officers responded to members’ questions regarding implementation of the policy, including practicalities and cost, and detailed the legalities surrounding the function.  Debate focused on the following –

·        the Head of Business Improvement and Modernisation highlighted a change to the policy in paragraph 4.3, Section C to clarify that the Council could not refuse a request to add a property name to an existing numbered property but would issue guidance on the appropriateness of the name to avoid conflict and offence

·        members were keen for developers to consult with communities and town/community councils on street name choices at an early stage within the process and officers confirmed that guidance in that regard could be issued to developers during the planning application stage or when planning permission was granted.  It was also agreed to circulate the policy to town/community councils to ensure street name suggestions were appropriate and acceptable

·        whilst accepting the reasons behind the proposal to prohibit the naming of streets after specific individuals, Cabinet felt there would be merit in doing so where there was a clear historical or cultural link between the individual and the area concerned

·        it was noted that guidance advised against the use of punctuation in street names but Cabinet felt they should not be advocating that practice and agreed that this reference within the policy be removed

·        in the absence of any justification that “Court” and “View” were unsuitable suffixes, it was agreed that they be included on the list of acceptable suffixes.

Councillor Arwel Roberts explained why he had raised the issue of street naming at the Bilingual Forum and thanked officers and Councillor Huw Jones for their work in producing a policy which supported the Welsh language and bilingualism.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       agree the proposed new Street Naming and Numbering Policy as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report subject to the following amendments -

-       paragraph 4.3, Section C be re-worded to clarify that the Council could not refuse a request to add a property name to an existing numbered property but would issue guidance as to the appropriateness of the property name in order to avoid conflict and causing offence

-       deletion of paragraph 1.9, Section B relating to the use of punctuation

-       inclusion of “Court” and “View” on the list of acceptable suffixes

-       that paragraph 1.6, Section B be amended with the additional words “unless a clear case is made as to the historical or cultural link of the individual to the land or locality”, and

(b)       note that the street naming and numbering function was managed by the Head of Business Improvement and Modernisation.