Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Dafydd Meurig
Decision:
The Voluntary Code for the control of to let signs in Bangor was adopted
and powers were delegated to the Senior Planning and Public Protection Service
Manager to put arrangements in place to implement the Voluntary Code.
That the success of the Voluntary Code will be monitored and assessed
before the end of March 2020 and the conclusions will be reported back to the
Cabinet before September 2020.
Minutes:
The item was submitted by Cllr Dafydd Meurig
RESOLVED
The Voluntary Code for the control of to let signs in Bangor
was adopted and powers were delegated to the Senior Planning and Public
Protection Service Manager to put arrangements in place to implement the
Voluntary Code.
That the success of the Voluntary Code will be monitored and
assessed before the end of March 2020 and the conclusions will be reported back
to the Cabinet before September 2020.
DISCUSSION
The report was
submitted and it was noted that Bangor's population doubled during the year as
a result of students moving into the city.
Consequently, it was added that a number of houses were available to
let. It was expressed that local
residents felt that the signs were erected throughout the year and thus had a
serious negative impact on specific areas and a negative impact on the image of
the City and the University as a place to live, work and study.
It was expressed
that local campaigns had been held to change this and following further work,
the department was now in a position to adopt a Code for Estate Agents. It was added that the regulations had not
been updated since 1992, and consequently they had not responded to the changes
that had occurred to the type of accommodation being let or the advertisement
methods. It was explained that consultation
work had been undertaken, discussing the code with the agencies, which noted
when it would be possible to advertise, the streets affected by the code and
where on houses it would be possible to advertise. It was added that there would be no additional
cost to the Council as a result of the Code but there would be a need to
monitor the situation and the department would submit a report detailing the
changes in September 2020.
Observations
arising from the discussion
-
The Local Member added that residents felt strongly about this item. It was noted that To Let signs could be seen
on every house on some streets in Bangor and it was reiterated that it
projected a wrong image of Bangor. It
was explained that the houses where the signs could be seen were more often
occupied than not, and that the signs were merely being used as
advertisements. It was expressed that
the houses with To Let signs displayed on them were twice as likely to have
someone breaking into the house. She
expressed that she hoped that the scheme would work as Bangor was an economic
hub and there was a need to ensure that it did not appear as if every house in
the city was To Let.
- It was noted that it was a good idea
and that the way the department was dealing with the problem was very
beneficial. Discussions were held on how
the scheme would be monitored, and how it would ensure that the advertisements
were bilingual. It was added that the
monitoring would be undertaken by the department.
Awdur:Gareth Jones
Supporting documents: