'Extensive consultations' agreed for Portsmouth memorials and road names if ever up for change
THE city council has agreed to hold ‘extensive’ consultations with the public if any road names or statues are set to be changed in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.
During a lengthy full council meeting last week (July 21) Tory Councillor Luke Stubbs shared concerns that Portsmouth’s heritage could be under threat.
Speaking at the virtual meeting he said: 'There's a lot of history to Portsmouth and it's everywhere, from Victoria Park, Admiral Lord Neslon School and Winston Churchill Avenue to lesser-known people in my ward. I know that Festing Grove, Dunn Close these are named after famous military men of the past.
‘I don't know all the details of their lives, nonetheless at some point someone has taken the decision they are deemed worthy of having something named after them. To me the city belongs to us all. These decisions should belong to everyone, we should all be included.'
However council leader, Lib Dem Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, explained no plans were in place. He said: 'I agree our rich history needs to be celebrated. But we need to be realistic that some people don’t need to be commemorated. The city council has no plans to change road names, building names or remove any memorials.’
Members voted to hold public meetings and exhibitions if this were the case as well as a referendum for the most ‘wide ranging cases.’