Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1       To consider applications for the erection of dual language street signs for seven existing streets within the city.

 

2.0       Recommendation

 

2.1       The Committee is asked to agree to the erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at, Dermott Hill Parade, Sunnyhill Park, Knock Eden Park, Fruithill Court, Tullymore Gardens, Pineview Road and Hawthorn View. 

 

 

3.0       Main Report

 

            Key Issues

 

3.1       The Council may erect a second street nameplate in a language other than English pursuant to Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1995.

 

3.2       Members are asked to consider the following applications to erect a second street nameplate showing the name of the street expressed in a language other than English. The second language is Irish.

 

3.3

English Name	Non- English Name	Location	Persons surveyed
Dermott Hill Parade, BT12	ParáidChnoc Dhiarmada	Off Dermott Hill Road, BT12	49
Sunnyhill Park, BT17	Páirc Chnoc na Gréine	Off Dunmurry Lane, BT17	116
Knock Eden Park, BT6	Páirc Chnoc Éadain	Off Knockbreda  Road, BT6	193
Fruithill Court, BT11	CúirtChnoc na dTorthaí	Off Fruithill Park, BT11	15
Tullymore Gardens, BT11	Gairdíní na Tulaí Móire	Off Glassmullan Gardens, BT11	175
Pineview Road, BT36	Bóthar Radharc na Giúise	Off Whitewell  Road, BT36	56
Hawthorn View, BT17	Radharc na Sceiche	Off Hawthorn Glen, BT17	187

 

3.4       The translations were authenticated by Queens University, the approved translator for Belfast City Council.

 

3.5       In accordance with the Council’s policy for the erection of dual language street signs, surveys of all persons appearing on the electoral register plus owners or tenants in actual possession of commercial premises, for the above streets were carried out and the following responses were received.

 

3.6       Dermott Hill Parade, BT12

 

·        19 occupiers (38.78%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        30 occupiers (61.22%) did not respond to the survey.

 

3.7       Sunnyhill Park, BT17

 

·        36 occupiers (31.03%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        6 occupiers (5.17%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        74 occupiers (63.79%) did not respond to the survey.

 

3.8       Knock Eden Park, BT6

 

·        55 occupiers (28.50%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        46 occupiers (23.83%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        11 occupiers (5.70%) had no preference either way.

·        81 occupiers (41.97%) did not respond to the survey.

 

            Two residents who are not in support of the dual language street sign at Knock Eden Park have raised concerns about the cost of the signs.

 

            Another resident not in support of the signs has advised that they would wish to keep the existing cast iron heritage sign.

 

            Another resident not in support of the dual language sign at Knock Eden Park was concerned at the low threshold of 15% for the application to be considered and that the applicant remains anonymous. 

 

3.9       Fruithill Court, BT11

 

·        5 occupiers (33.33%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        10 occupiers (66.67%%) did not respond to the survey.

 

3.10      Tullymore Gardens, BT11

 

·        70 occupiers (40%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        2 occupiers (1.14%) had no preference either way.

·        103 occupiers (58.86%) did not respond to the survey.

 

3.11      Pineview Road, BT36

 

·        21 occupiers (37.5%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        9 occupiers (16.07%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        26 occupiers (46.43%) did not respond to the survey.

 

3.12      Hawthorn View, BT17

 

·        64 occupiers (34.22%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        4 occupiers (2.14%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        2 occupiers (1.07%) had no preference either way.

·        117 occupiers (62.57%) did not respond to the survey.

 

3.13      Assessment against policy

 

            The Council’s policy on the erection of a second street nameplate requires that at least fifteen percent (15%) of the occupiers surveyed must be in favour of the proposal to erect a second street sign in a language other than English, to progress to Committee for consideration.

 

3.14      All of the surveys listed above demonstrate compliance with the threshold contained within the Policy. However the Committee is reminded that the Council retain a residual discretion under the Policy to decide to erect or not to erect a street sign in a language other than English in certain circumstances. This will be done on a case by case basis.

 

3.15      The Policy states that it may be appropriate to depart from the procedures in this Policy when there are clear reasons for doing so. This may include taking into account:

 

(a)         the views of the Occupiers of the street;

(b)        the results of the initial assessment for the application, including any identified potential adverse impacts on equality, good relations and rural needs;

(c)         consideration of the local context of the application;

(d)        any other Council policies or strategies related to the application; and

(e)         all material considerations relating to the application.

 

 

3.16      Financial and Resource Implications

 

            There is a cost of approximately £1,740 to cover the cost of the manufacturing and erection of the dual language street signs. The cost for these street signs has been allowed for in the current budget.

 

3.17      Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

 

            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.

 

3.18      The initial assessments and elected member notification carried out for the seven applications being considered did not identify any potential adverse impacts to prevent the surveys being carried out. However, the Committee is entitled to take into account the concerns raised by the residents as set out above in arriving to their decision.”

 

            Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

            Seconded by Councillor Doherty,

           

       That the Committee agrees to the erection of all the dual language streets as outlined in the report, namely, Dermott Hill Parade, Sunnyhill Park, Knock Eden Park, Fruithill Court, Tullymore Gardens, Pineview Road and Hawthorne View. 

 

Amendment

 

Moved by Councillor R. Brooks,

Seconded by Councillor Bunting,

 

      That the Committee agrees to the erection of a dual language street sign at Dermott Hill Parade, Sunnyhill Park, Fruithill Court, Tullymore Gardens, Pineview Road and Hawthorn View and not to erect a dual language sign at Knock Eden Park.

 

            On a vote, 5 Members voted for the amendment and 14 against and it was declared lost.

 

Further Amendment

 

            Moved by Councillor Kelly,

            Seconded by Councillor Bunting,

           

      That the Committee agrees to re survey Knock Eden Park and to erect dual language street signs at the remaining locations.

 

            On a vote, 10 Members voted for the further amendment and 9 against and it was declared carried.

 

            Accordingly, the amendment in the name of Councillor Kelly was put to the Committee as the substantive motion and agreed.  

 

            The Committee agreed the erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at Dermott Hill Parade, Sunnyhill Park, Fruithill Court, Tullymore Gardens, Pineview Road and Hawthorn View and to re survey Knock Eden Park.