Row over street naming

This was in an attempt by the council to stamp out the growing number of name changes, but while the legal position was straightforward enough, there were concerns over how practical it would be to prove who was responsible.

Street naming was entirely up to the council and regardless of the opinion of the people in the street, the final say was with the council.

There was controversy over Richmond-McCreesh Gardens while residents of Beech Court wanted to change the name to Hurson Court.

Two places in Portadown had also done the same thing and while the council could prosecute and take down the new signs and put up official ones there was nothing to stop them being erected again.

A maximum fine of 20 was also unlikely to deter those responsible.

Councillor Bob Dodds was looking for court action to be taken because the “law had been contravened,” while Councillor David Calvert said: “I wish the council would stand up and stop running away on this matter.”

Councillor Tom French felt it would be in the best interests of the community not to “open the wound any further.” However, Councillor Philip Black said it would be hypocritical if the council were to wash its hands of the affair “like Pontius Pilate.”

The council eventually voted by 15 votes to eight, with two abstentions, to instruct the borough solicitor to bring charges against those responsible for removing official street names.