Issue - meetings

Background:

The report asked the Cabinet to determine if it should exempt the 20-year restriction on using the name of a recently deceased individual in street naming, specifically to allow the naming of a new street at the former Lennox Wood site, Petham Green, after Alderman Paul Harriott. Consideration of the exemption was requested based on an application made by the Twydall ward Councillors and on the basis of Alderman Harriott’s exceptional 52-year record of public service to Medway. Officers had confirmed family consent and had found no evidence in the public record that would make the name unsuitable.

The exemption process, as outlined in the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering policy allowed for such consideration in exceptional cases one year after a person’s death. The proposed naming affected a small side street of five properties, limiting potential future reputational and financial risks should a renaming exercise be required. These risks were further mitigated by research of public records and the decision being made publicly by the Cabinet.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Members of the Cabinet took the opportunity to remember Alderman Harriot and reflect on his legacy.

Reasons:

Cabinet is the decision maker for the use of names of recently deceased persons within the naming and numbering of streets and properties in Medway.

A decision to exempt the Street Naming and Numbering (SNN) policy only applies where there has been less than 20 years since a person’s death and there is evidence of that person having given or been recognised for outstanding service to Medway and its communities.

Officers have researched the public record for Alderman Paul Harriott in doing so have found evidence of an exceptional contribution to Medway and have not found evidence that would suggest their name is unsuitable for use as a street name.

Officers have been provided with evidence that family consent has been given.