Agenda item

To receive a report by the Performance & Systems Administrator on the Draft Street Naming and Numbering Policy (copy enclosed)

The Performance and Programme Systems Administrator (PPSA) presented the report of the Draft Street Naming Policy.

The reason the report had been brought to the Welsh Language Steering Group was due to an issue regarding the translation of the policy.  The draft policy was written in English with no recognition in the way the grammar would change once translated; therefore it was requested that the group review the document from a Welsh Language perspective before returning to Scrutiny in November.

In response to a query regarding the naming of streets, the PPSA advised that the current policy, 1925 Public Health Act stated that when a street was named whether that be English or Welsh then that would be its official legal title.

She continued to explain that they discourage the change of legal names as it would could problems for residents and Emergency Services. The only time a name would be legally changed was if an emergency service were having trouble locating the address.

The PPSA advised that residents must propose any changes. A recent resident’s proposal had proven successful; a street in Dyserth had named houses rather than numbered. This had caused issues for the ambulance service. A petition was made by the residents which meant the change could be approved, since the change there had been no reported issues.

Councillor Emrys Wynne expressed his concern that with the current process important names would be lost. He suggested that if there were a chance to use the Welsh Language then it should be done without any complications.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts agreed that in some cases, English names could not be translated. He proposed that the policy be reviewed once again. He queried why there should be bilingual names in Wales where other countries did not do this.  He proposed that policy be reviewed and where possible Welsh names were used instead. He felt that technology, post codes, GPS etc today should mean that any address was located at ease, whether or not it be in Welsh or English.

Councillor Arwel Roberts seconded Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts’ proposal.

Councillor Graham Timms also agreed. He felt that any new estates, roads etc should be named in Welsh. He agreed that the policy should be relooked at and shared for wider consultation.

The Corporate Director: Communities (CDC) advised members that the committee could not make any formal decisions however could make a recommendation based on the discussions and debate of the committee that further review be undertaken of the policy to suggest that all new houses, streets etc were named in Welsh.

The policy would be returning to Scrutiny in November, followed by Cabinet. The decision would be whether to take the considerations and recommendations from the Welsh Language Steering Committee and Scrutiny forward or not.

Councillor Meirick Lloyd-Davies highlighted the issue that some data bases may have incorrect street names as people would use the incorrect name out of habit. He suggested that the committee had a thorough review of the entire policy.

RESOLVED: that the Welsh Language Steering Committee recommend a review of the Welsh Language Street Naming Policy.