Agenda item

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

RESOLVED, That the Committee:

1. Approve the Francis Barber Blue Plaque Proposal
2. Approve the George Sandeman & Co Blue Plaque Proposal
3. Reject the John Amos Comenius Blue Plaque Proposal

Members noted that any approval is also subject to any additional necessary permissions gained from environmental health, planning and highways.

In response to a Member query on the apparent shape of the Sandeman plaque, the Committee noted that the plaque’s shape will be confirmed (see action point).

On the Comenius plaque, a Member pointed out that there is merit in further exploration of the determination of the house’s location and the period during which Comenius was at the location, noting the significance of Comenius in a range of historical events. Members also noted that discussions had taken place on the under-representation of women in blue plaque decisions.

A Member raised the matter of a Benjamin Franklin plaque, and asked whether a plaque could be expedited in time for the 250^th anniversary of American independence. The meeting heard that a Franklin proposal for the City could be incorporated into a new blue plaque process to be presented to the Committee in early 2026.

Members congratulated the executive on clearing the backlog of blue plaque applications.