Agenda item

Purpose of Report

To provide the Executive with an opportunity to consider proposals for a Commemorative Plaque Scheme for the City of Lincoln.

Decision

That the Commemorative Plaque Scheme for the City of Lincoln be approved and it be agreed that:

·         the unveiling of plaques be celebrated by holding a civic event;

·         the balance between the number of men and women that were being recognised for a plaque be monitored;

·         the current plaques be updated to the new style on a phased approach pending financial availability in the reserve and in liaison with the organisation or individual who originally erected it.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Other options explored had included an unfunded scheme and fully funded scheme. An unfunded scheme would reduce the incentive to take part in a co-ordinated scheme as individuals could simply put up their own plaque. A fully funded scheme, whereby the Council undertook all of the background research and evidence gathering, could require significant additional staff resource.

Reason for Decision

An expression of interest to erect a plaque in park ward led to a request to consider the introduction of a city-wide Commemorative Plaque Scheme.

Outside of the blue plaque scheme in London there were some schemes currently in operation across the country, a few being operated by District Councils as set out in Appendix A. A small number of commemorative plaques were already in place at various locations across the city, erected under previous schemes operated by the City of Lincoln Council and Lincoln Civic Trust. These schemes had now lapsed and no guidance or criteria currently existed.

Draft guidelines and criteria for a new Lincoln scheme, based on schemes operated by other Councils, was appended to the report. It was proposed that the scheme would be operated by Development Management within existing staff resources. However, it was noted that the new scheme would be partly funded by the City of Lincoln Council to cover the costs of producing and installing the plaque.

A budget of £2,000 had been identified to support the scheme from planning income which would be reviewed in due course.

The Policy Scrutiny Committee had considered this report at its meeting on 9 October 2018 and supported the scheme, but asked the Executive to consider the following:

·         whether the unveiling of plaques should be celebrated by holding a civic event;

·         that the balance between the number of men and women that were being recognised for a plaque be monitored;

·         that the current plaques be updated to the new style.

It was noted that some plaques had been erected by organisations such as the Civic Trust. Such organisations would be contacted to seek their permission prior to updating any plaques.

During discussion it was noted that plaques could be used to commemorate events and also be used as remembrance for individuals or groups of people.

A question was raised as to whether a programme of updating current plaques would be put in place. It was noted that this would be dependent on the number of new applications received, with a phased approach to be introduced pending financial availability in the reserve.