Agenda item

(The Director of Communities) To consider the attached report (CHB-002-2014/15).

(1)        That, following the consideration at its last meeting and the subsequent Leader’s Decision, the Cabinet Committee’s approach to the naming of new developments be clarified as follows:

(a)           that, subject to the Cabinet Committee already agreeing a suitable name for new Council housing developments or names not being required (e.g. where existing numbering can be utilised), Town and Parish Councils be invited to submit a list of 5 street names / property names in preference order for new Council housing developments in their locality, having regard to the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy;

(b)           that the relevant ward members be consulted on the list of names submitted by Town and Parish Councils; and

(c)           that the names of new streets or properties be determined by the Cabinet Committee, having regard to the list of names put forward by the Town and Parish Councils and the views of ward members;

(2)        That the ten converted self-contained flats at Marden Close, Chigwell be numbered 1 to 10 Marden Close, Lambourne Road, Chigwell - with odd numbers given to ground floor flats and even numbers given to first floor flats;

(3)        That, at Faversham Hall, Chigwell, the two new ground floor flats be numbered 13-14 Faversham Close, Chigwell and the existing first floor flat be numbered 15 Faversham Close, Chigwell;

(4)        That the new Council housing development comprising 9 flats at Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey be named “John Scott Court”, after the Council’s former Chief Housing Officer and District Health and Housing Officer, - who retired in 2007 after giving 29 years’ loyal service to the Council and the tenants and other residents of the Epping Forest District;

(5)        That the four new Council houses to be provided adjacent to 12 Oakwood, Waltham Abbey be numbered 13 - 16 Oakwood, Roundhills, Waltham Abbey and the two new Council houses to be provided adjacent to 27 Greenleas, Waltham Abbey be numbered 29 and 31 Greenleas, Roundhills, Waltham Abbey; and

(6)        That, in accordance with (1) above, Waltham Abbey Town Council be invited to submit a list of 5 street names / property names in preference order for Cabinet Committee to consider at a future meeting, after consultation with ward members, for the following new Council housing developments:

(a)           comprising four houses and two duplex flats at the site of the former Red Cross Hall, Roundhills, Waltham Abbey (new street name required) ; and

(b)           comprising two new houses to the rear of 66-72 Fairways (new property name required); and

(7)  That the detailed address and numbering arrangements for all of the developments be agreed in consultation with the Director of Neighbourhoods.

The Director of Communities presented a report to the Cabinet Committee with regard to the naming of new Council Housing Developments – Phase 1. He advised that at its meeting in April 2014 the Cabinet Committee recommended to the Leader of the Council that the Terms of Reference for the Cabinet Committee be amended to incorporate the future naming of developments undertaken through the Council Housebuilding Programme. Since the Phase 1 development in Waltham Abbey was shortly due to commence on site, it was necessary to set out the approach that was to be taken when agreeing the street and building names and addresses.

The Director advised that it was the Council’s legal responsibility, exercised through the Director of Neighbourhoods, to ensure that all new properties were allocated an appropriate address as it facilitated:

• Emergency Services locating properties;
• Consistency of property based information across local government databases and within the community;
• Reliable delivery for post and other such deliveries; and
• Location of address for visitors to the area.

The Director stated that the Council had already got in place a Policy that aids developers in suggesting street and building names, for which the Council had the power to approve or reject under the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847 (S64 and S65) in conjunction with S21 of the Public Health Act Amendment Act 1907.

Taking account of the Council’s Policy, it was recommended that the Cabinet Committee considered and agreed the approach they wished to take in respect of street naming for the Phase 1 development sites.

The Chairman proposed, on the initial suggestion of the Director, that the Cabinet Committee considered the name “John Scott Court”, for the 9 new flats to be built at Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey, in recognition of the Council’s former Chief Housing Officer and District Health and Housing Officer, who retired in 2007 after giving 29 years’ loyal service to the Council and residents of the Epping Forest District.

Members had welcomed and supported this proposal.

Decision:

(1)        That, following the consideration at its last meeting and the subsequent Leader’s Decision, the Cabinet Committee’s approach to the naming of new developments be clarified as follows:

(a)           that, subject to the Cabinet Committee already agreeing a suitable name for new Council housing developments or names not being required (e.g. where existing numbering can be utilised), Town and Parish Councils be invited to submit a list of 5 street names / property names in preference order for new Council housing developments in their locality, having regard to the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy;

(b)           that the relevant ward members be consulted on the list of names submitted by Town and Parish Councils; and

(c)           that the names of new streets or properties be determined by the Cabinet Committee, having regard to the list of names put forward by the Town and Parish Councils and the views of ward members;

(2)        That the ten converted self-contained flats at Marden Close, Chigwell be numbered 1 to 10 Marden Close, Lambourne Road, Chigwell - with odd numbers given to ground floor flats and even numbers given to first floor flats;

(3)        That, at Faversham Hall, Chigwell, the two new ground floor flats be numbered 13-14 Faversham Close, Chigwell and the existing first floor flat be numbered 15 Faversham Close, Chigwell;

(4)        That the new Council housing development comprising 9 flats at Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey be named “John Scott Court”, after the Council’s former Chief Housing Officer and District Health and Housing Officer, - who retired in 2007 after giving 29 years’ loyal service to the Council and the tenants and other residents of the Epping Forest District;

(5)        That the four new Council houses to be provided adjacent to 12 Oakwood, Waltham Abbey be numbered 13 - 16 Oakwood, Roundhills, Waltham Abbey and the two new Council houses to be provided adjacent to 27 Greenleas, Waltham Abbey be numbered 29 and 31 Greenleas, Roundhills, Waltham Abbey; and

(6)        That, in accordance with (1) above, Waltham Abbey Town Council be invited to submit a list of 5 street names / property names in preference order for Cabinet Committee to consider at a future meeting, after consultation with ward members, for the following new Council housing developments:

(a)           comprising four houses and two duplex flats at the site of the former Red Cross Hall, Roundhills, Waltham Abbey (new street name required) ; and

(b)           comprising two new houses to the rear of 66-72 Fairways (new property name required); and

(7)  That the detailed address and numbering arrangements for all of the developments be agreed in consultation with the Director of Neighbourhoods.

Reasons for Decision:

There was a legal requirement that all streets were named and properties numbered. In line with the Terms of Reference of the Cabinet Committee it was required to consider and approve the naming of each new Council Housebuilding development, following consultation with the Parish or Town Councils and Ward Members in line with the Council’s Policy on Street Naming and Numbering.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

Since all new developments required an address and the Council had the legal responsibility to ensure streets were named and properties numbered, the only other options available were whether to name the addresses now or at a later date.