Council amend policy on erection of street nameplates other English

During recent Health and Environmental Services Committee meeting, members recommended to change the wording of the policy to 'where the occupants of 66% or more of the premises in the street/road reply in favour of the erection of the a sign in a language other than English and that language is either Irish or Ulster Scots, the Council will normally agree the request'.

The issue was raised after it was revealed in the Committee report that 'occupiers of premises have initiated procedures for the erection of a street nameplate in a language other than English in respect of six streets within the Borough'.

The six streets were Carnfinton Park, Rasharkin, Rhencullen Park, Rasharkin, Rockview Park, Rasharkin, Bamford Park, Rasharkin, Hillview Park, Dunloy and Valley View, Rasharkin.

The report explained: 'As regards each location, it is the case that two thirds or more of respondents to the survey conducted, support the erection of a sign in a language (Irish) other than English. Council's Policy – Naming of Streets and Numbering of Properties adopted on 5th February 2007 states that (paragraph 8.7), where two thirds or more of respondents to the survey support the erection of a sign in a language other than English and that language is either Irish or Ulster Scots, Council will normally agree the request.

'Members are familiar with the format of the signage which may be erected.

'In accordance with the Council's Policy – Naming of Streets and Numbering of Properties (adopted on 5th February 2007) it is recommended that Committee consider the applications and make a recommendation to Council.

'It is further recommended where the cost of erection of such signage exceeds that of the current service budget, any applications approved will be dealt with in date received priority.'

In response to the news Cllr John Finlay raised his group's concern regarding this issue, highlighting that under the Council's present policy a small number of valid responses can result in bi-lingual signage being erected. He proposed that the wording at paragraph 8.7 be amended as follows – "Where the occupants of 66% or more of the premises in the street/road reply in favour of the erection of a sign in a language other than English and that language is either Irish or Ulster Scots, Council will normally agree the request."

It was proposed by Cllr John Finlay, seconded by Councillor Halliday that the Council's policy be amended.

Cllr Finlay also expressed concern regarding the effect and harm done by the erection of street nameplates in a language other than English has had on the minority community in Rasharkin. He proposed that Council undertake an equality impact assessment to establish how this part of the Council's policy had impacted on the village's minority community and the harm it may have done. The Chair mentioned the concern expressed that the effect of the Council's policy produced a feeling of intimidation or fear amongst the Protestant community.

It was therefore proposed by Cllr Finlay, seconded by Councillor Patterson that Council undertake an equality impact assessment to establish if any harm is felt by the minority community in Rasharkin by the erection a street nameplate in a street in a language other than English.

A discussion was then initiated by Cllr Finlay on the origin of the name - Rhencullen. The Director of Borough Services advised that when applications were received the services of appropriate experts were used to ensure that a correct translation of the street name was achieved and that in the subsequent survey this would be put to the consultees.

Also in response to Cllr Finlay, the Director advised that as the budget for 2010-2011 was 500 there would be insufficient funds to provide six new street signs mentioned in his report and that this was the reason he was recommending that the requests, if approved, be dealt with in date received priority.

Cllr Finlay expressed the view that Council ought only to erect only those signs for which there is budget this year and that the applications then remaining ought to be brought back to Council for reconsideration.

It was proposed by Cllr Finlay, seconded by Alderman Campbell that Council erect only those street signs for which there is budget this year, in date received priority and that the remaining applications be brought back to Council for reconsideration.

Cllr Audrey Patterson highlighted the amount of graffiti on signs, other than bi-lingual signage, in Rasharkin.

The Director advised that information on the cost of the erection of street signs would be brought to the next Committee meeting.

The three proposals were brought before a Full Council meeting and agreed after a recorded vote.