Agenda item

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To consider if a street survey of occupiers will be carried out for Cardigan Drive and Dunblane Avenue relating to the erection of dual language street signs where an objection has been received from an Elected Member representing the relevant District Electoral Area.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Members are asked to consider the report and the objections raised in relation to applications for dual language street signs received for Cardigan Drive and Dunblane Avenue and either:

a)     Agree that a survey of occupiers be carried out on the streets identified;

            Or

b)     Agree that no survey will be carried out on the grounds of the potential adverse impacts identified by the objections and close these applications

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The power for the Council to consider applications to erect a second street nameplate in a language other than English is contained in Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1995.

3.2       The procedures developed under the revised Dual Language Street Sign Policy involves a notification of applications to Elected Members.  The purpose of this notification is to allow members to identify those applications in their DEA or the city centre in respect of which it may be appropriate for the Council to exercise its residual discretion not to apply the Policy due to the local context.

3.3       In this regard objections have been received for the following applications: -

3.4       Councillor Doran has provided the following statements in relation to these objections: -.

Ø  ‘Dunblane Avenue is a mixed and diverse community, and I have strong concerns that the proposal to add an Irish street name to Dunblane Avenue would have a strongly negative impact on community relations within the area’.

Ø  ‘Cardigan Drive has a mixed and diverse community in and around it, and I have reservations that the proposal to add an Irish street name to Cardigan Drive would have a negative impact on community relations within and surrounding the area’.

3.5       Members are also reminded that each application is subject to an initial assessment by officers for any potential adverse impacts on equality, good relations and rural needs. This assessment is carried out when the application is being processed and where any adverse impacts are identified that information will be brought to Committee.’

3.6       The initial assessments were carried out by officers for Dunblane Avenue and Cardigan Drive and no potential adverse impacts were identified through this process.

3.7       These applications are being brought to Committee to determine if a survey of residents of these streets will take place, considering this information and the objections received from Councillor Doran.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.8       If it is decided to carry out the survey, the resulting tasks are included within the normal resources for the process.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

3.9       Each application for a dual language street sign is subject to an initial assessment for any potential adverse impacts on equality, good relations and rural needs. No potential adverse impacts have been identified through this process.

3.10      Cllr Doran has raised potential for adverse impacts on good relations through an objection received during the Elected Member notification procedure.”

            Following discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor Ó Néill,

Seconded by Councillor R. M. Donnelly,

            That the Committee agrees that a survey of occupiers be carried out on the streets at Cardigan Drive and Dunblane Avenue.

On a vote, 15 Members voted for the proposal and 5 against and it was declared carried.