RELIGIOUS or political affiliations on plaques would be formally banned under the new memorial policy. 

The council gets several requests a year from people wanting to put up plaques, but only allows them on donated commemorative furniture like park benches or drinking fountains, and even then it’s only allowed when the person memorialised made a significant contribution to the city or community.

Now a new rule says “a plaque will not be approved where there is religious or political affiliation”.

It also says “a plaque will not be approved if in the opinion of the City the plaque has the potential to offend”.

The rationale for the rule changes says it’s just bringing the policy in line with standard practice.