Market Place, Keynsham
The decision to name the streets in the Keynsham Civic Centre development ‘Market Walk’ has been called in for examination by B&NES Council’s Planning & Transport Scrutiny Panel.
At a meeting on Friday (25th July) they will decide whether or not to ask the council cabinet member, Kate Hall, who took the original decision, to re-consider. The ‘call-in’ was instigated by local councillor Brian Simmons and supported by fourteen other councillors.
The choice of Market Walk, like the Market Place name chosen for the development is, according to Mr Simmons not based on historical fact, as Keynsham’s market was actually located off the Bath Road. But in selecting Market Walk, the cabinet member is also accused of failing to take note of the consultation process with local residents and the town council that it set in motion. Mr Simmons also claims that in simply dismissing the chosen alternative names as ‘unacceptable’ Ms Hall has failed to provide any reasons.
The scrutiny panel can decide to refer the matter back to the cabinet member to re-consider or to have it debated in full council. In either case however, Ms Hall, the Bath based councillor responsible for community integration, can decide to ignore the recommendation and stick with her original choice.
