Issue - meetings

To introduce a Partnership Street Naming and Numbering Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory which introduced a Partnership Street Naming and Numbering Policy.

The report was introduced by the Portfolio Holder – Assets and Strategic Planning, and the following issues were raised:

·       Members felt that discretion should be given to the following:

                i.         Historically, the term ‘Yard’ had not been sanctioned when considering street names – it was felt that this was an appropriate term and should be usable;

              ii.         Consideration should be given to the colouring of backgrounds and lettering from an accessibility perspective

o   The Assistant Director – Regulatory commented that these points could be taken on board, and that the second recommendation within the report provided the necessary authority for this discretion.  

DECISION:

1)    That following consideration of the report, policy and feedback from Policy Development Panel at Appendix 2, the South East Lincolnshire Councils Street Naming and Numbering Policy be approved for adoption by South Holland District Council.

2)    That the Group Manager Building Control and the Assistant Director Regulatory be given delegated authority to make such amendments to this policy as may from time to time be required in order to (i) reference any links or amended links to other documents as may be required; and (ii) reflect any issues over which the Council has no discretion including, but not limited to, references to any legislative changes and amended guidance. Any material amendments to the policy will be subject to the usual approval process in line with the Constitution.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing – this would not harmonise Street Naming and Numbering across the Partnership;

Reasons for decision:

·       To align and harmonise current best practice and procedures across the three Councils).

To introduce a Partnership Street Naming and Numbering Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory which introduced a Partnership Street Naming and Numbering (SNN) Policy.

The Assistant Director – Regulatory introduced the report which included the following main points:

• That Street Naming and Numbering was a statutory function;
• That SHDC had an existing SNN Policy in place which had been reviewed and was to be introduced/aligned across the partnership;
• The purpose of the SNN Policy and reasons for/benefits of the current review; and
• The draft policy was detailed at Appendix 1.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members raised the following points in respect of the street naming decision making process:
  • Regarding the naming of streets after people, outlined at point 6.2. of the Appendix, a member cited an example of a new development which had utilised female forenames as street names and it was observed that a proven connection to the land appeared to be unclear/loose. Clarification was sought regarding the timescale for which a ‘historical’ connection could be applied; and
  • Members cited an example where concerns were raised regarding a developer proposal for a street name which was deemed inappropriate by the Parish Council and the community. Although the proposal was subsequently discarded, members sought clarification on the decision-making process.
    • The Assistant Director – Regulatory responded that:

§  The process for street naming was set out in the existing Street Naming and Numbering Policy which focused on a requirement for developers to consult with local communities and the Parish Council;

§  As part of the consultation process, it was advised that a pre-consideration process be undertaken where developers provided three options to Town/Parish councils for consideration. Where specific concerns existed, alternative options from Town/Parish Councils would be encouraged as part of the negotiation process;

§  Where an agreement between the developer and Town/Parish council could not be reached, SHDC was bound to uphold the objection and the decision would be referred to the Portfolio Holder;

§  Regarding the developer street name proposal which was discarded following concern expressed by the Parish Council, this represented a good example of the policy in action. Confirmation was given that developers did not have the overriding authority regarding street naming decisions; and

§  In respect of ‘naming after people’ evidence would need to be provided and considered as part of the process and assessed on a case-by-case basis. For a historical connection to be made, guidance stated that this be a ten-year period from the date of death.

• Members asked whether a register of potential street name options for developers was in place. 
  • The Assistant Director – Regulatory agreed that the utilisation of a register which listed pre-approved road names within parishes would be helpful. Enquiries would be made as to whether a register was already in place at South Holland. It was noted that members at Boston Borough Council had also suggested this approach during recent scrutiny of the policy.

• Members queried whether the charging of a fee to name an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62