Issue - meetings

Street Naming and Numbering Policy

Meeting: 30/07/2024 - Cabinet (Item 10)

10 Adoption of a Street Naming and Numbering Policy pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report sought approval of a new Street Naming and Numbering Policy, which aimed to:

 

         ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and national standards and guidelines for street naming and numbering;

         provide clear and comprehensive guidance for the council when carrying out its legal duties and responsibilities for creating unique and unambiguous addresses for every property in Medway;

         promote the use of street names and property names that had a local, historic or heritage significance, and avoid names that may cause confusion, offence, or inconvenience; and

         Increase transparency and accountability within street naming and numbering processes.

 

Decision

number:

 

Decision:

 

115/2024

The Cabinet approved the draft Street Naming and Numbering Policy, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

116/2024

The Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Highways and Enforcement, to implement the policy and make any minor changes to the policy as necessary.

 

117/2024

The Cabinet agreed that, subject to the exemptions process set out within the policy, the Cabinet would be the decision maker for the use of names of recently deceased persons, who had given or been recognised for outstanding service to Medway and its communities, within the naming and numbering of streets and properties in Medway.

118/2024

The Cabinet agreed that it would be the decision maker in relation to considering and deciding on requests to alter an existing street name where there was at least two-thirds support for the proposal amongst affected council tax and business rate payers.

Reasons:

 

The Street Naming and Numbering Policy will provide clear and comprehensive guidance for the Council in carrying out its street naming and numbering functions, which are essential for the creation of unique and unambiguous addresses for every property in the authority.

 

The policy will indirectly support the delivery of various public services, such as emergency response, postal delivery, utilities connection, electoral registration, council tax and non-domestic rates collection, and evidence-based decision making.

 

The policy will also promote the use of street names and property names that have a local, historic or heritage significance to the area, and avoid names that may cause confusion, offence, or inconvenience to the public.

 

The policy will ensure compliance with the relevant legislation, such as the County of Kent Act 1981, the Local Government Act 1972, the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847 and the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023, as well as the national standards and guidelines, such as the British Standard for addressing, BS7666.