A COMMEMORATIVE blue plaque scheme has been approved in Neath Port Talbot to celebrate notable people, places and events across the county borough.
The decision to green light the scheme was made by council bosses at a cabinet meeting held on October 23 where members explained how it was a key priority of the council’s recently adopted Heritage Strategy for 2024-2039.
The plaques will be known as the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Blue Plaques, with a budget for two plaques per year being covered by the local authority alongside options for business, groups or individual to self-fund a blue plaque.
This process will be done by submitting a nomination online to the Heritage NPT Team’s selection panel, with the with the panel’s recommendations then being reported to cabinet members for a final decision.
A council spokesperson said: “It is envisaged the blue plaque scheme will play a valuable role in promoting conservation, by highlighting people and buildings with historic associations in our communities.
“As blue plaques will be installed on buildings owned and occupied by others, guidance under the new scheme dictates that all parties must be in agreement with the installation of the plaque and evidence of the agreement will be submitted in writing.
“Individuals and groups have already made tentative enquiries for applications and some have shown an interest in self-funding some plaques and have made enquiries about possible nominations.”
Cllr Cen Phillips, cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing said: “Blue plaques are one of the most effective and visible means of celebrating our history and the historic environment.
“Plaques connect the past and present, they can increase a sense of pride among local communities and can educate about history and heritage, making both more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. They can also play an important conservation role, helping to highlight buildings with cultural and historic associations and to preserve them for the future.”
The submission window for the first council-funded applications will be open from April 1 to September 30, 2025, while applications for self-funded plaques will begin from January 6, 2025.
