Issue - meetings

To consider a Revised Street Naming and Numbering Policy and accompanying new charging regime (report of the Executive Director Place enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Place, which considered a revised Street Naming and Number Policy and accompanying new charging regime.

There was some discussion on historic names and non acceptable suffixes and it was agreed that where these issues arose, they should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

DECISION:

That the revised Street Naming and Numbering Policy and the accompanying proposed new charging regime, detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted.

(Other options considered:

·         To do nothing;

·         To adopt the revised Street Naming and Numbering Policy and the accompanying proposed new charging regime, contained in Appendix 1, with revisions.

Reasons for decision:

·         There have been no changes to the Council’s responsibilities in respect of street naming and numbering.  The Council is still required to provide this service and to ensure there is no confusion over addresses of properties in the District.

·         There are limited changes to the policy in terms of procedure.  The main proposed change is to charge for this service and generate income for the Council.  Other Councils are know to be charging for these works.  It is therefore reasonable for South Holland to explore this opportunity further;

·         The current Street Naming and Numbering Policy was originally adopted in 2005.  It is therefore timely to review its contents.)

To seek the Panel’s recommendation that Cabinet adopt a Revised Street Naming and Numbering Policy (report of Executive Director –Place is attached).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director – Place which sought the Panel’s recommendation that Cabinet adopt a Revised Street Naming and Numbering Policy.

The Building Consultancy Manager summarised that the policy had been presented previously to PDP. The policy was being reintroduced to PDP with the amendments suggested by PDP included within it. However it was noted that the policy could not be shortened for legal reasons.

Members asked who would be contactable for naming and numbering queries. It was responded that it would be the local district council.

Members asked what the policy was on repeated street names. It was responded that the policy was now to have no repeated names in any one given postal code area.

Councillors asked that it was reported to Cabinet that PDP’s opinion was that it should have been shortened.

Members asked about ‘aesthetically displeasing’ names and stated that the policy of not allowing such names put a barrier to historically or contextually relevant names. The Building Consultancy Manager responded that the under special circumstances that this was not the case. Members asked that officers tweak the wording of this to be clearer that it allows special exceptions.

The Chairman asked who had the final say on street names. Officers responded that developers put forward names, but the final decision was that of the planning department. Members asked for details of how many potential street names were put forward to councillors for consultation.

AGREED

That the Policy Development Panel recommend the adoption of the Revised Street Naming and Numbering Policy to Cabinet on 20 November 2018 as per Appendix 1 of the report.