Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown).

            The minutes of the meeting of 18th May were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 4th June.

            Alderman Browne declared an interest in respect of item 4(c) Disposal of Land for Housing, insofar as he was deputy chairperson of the Grove Housing Association and he left the meeting whilst this item was under discussion.

The information contained in the reports associated with the following 10 items is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the Press and public from the Committee meeting during discussion of these items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (NI) 2014.

            The Committee was reminded that the Local Development Plan (LDP) would set out a clear vision for how the council area should evolve by setting out what form of development should be encouraged and where it could be located.  It would provide residents, statutory authorities, developers and other interested bodies with a combined policy framework and land use proposals that would deliver the strategic objectives of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) and other regional planning policies.

            The full LDP would comprise of two development plan documents:

·        The Plan Strategy - the strategic policy framework for the plan area encompassing a range of topics which would set out the ambitious vision for Belfast as well as the strategic and operational policies required to deliver that vision; and

·        The Local Policies Plan - the final stage which would set out the Council’s detailed policies and site specific proposals concerning the development and use of land in Belfast.  It would consist of local policies, including the site specific proposals, designations and land use zonings to deliver the vision, objectives and strategic policies, as set out in the Plan Strategy.

            Once adopted, the complete LDP would supersede the current Development Plans and Planning Policy Statements produced by the Department.

            Accordingly, the Director of Planning and Building Control submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided details of the final draft of the Plan Strategy; the additional technical documents that would accompany the Draft Plan Strategy when it was formerly published; and the proposed approach to consultation.

            After discussion, the Committee:

·        endorsed the Draft Plan Strategy as a basis for the formal consultation document;

·        noted the additional technical documents  that were required to accompany the draft Plan Strategy when it was published for consultation; and

·        noted the timescale/arrangements for the proposed consultation for Autumn 2018.

            The Committee noted a report which provided an update on the City Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) Grade A Office initiative and approved the increase to the Council’s investment in Bel Tel LLP by £940k (from £3.75m to £4.69m) to part fund enabling works to ‘The Sixth’ property.

            The Committee considered a report which summarised the proposal which had been made to the Council by a large institutional investor in relation to the potential regeneration development of a significant strategic city centre site.

            The Committee:

·        noted the initial structure of the investor proposal;

·        agreed, in principle, that this arrangement was something which the Council would be minded to seriously consider entering into;

·        delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place and Economy, in consultation with the City Solicitor and Director of Finance and Resources, to negotiate the terms of a possible agreement; and

·        noted that, should an arrangement be deemed supportable, draft terms would be submitted to the Committee for full approval before any legal documentation was entered into.

The Committee was reminded that Article 8 of the Planning (General Development Procedure) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 required the Council to notify the existence of planning applications in three ways:

·        by publishing the Notice of the application in at least one newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land to which the application applied was situated;

·        serve notice of the application on any identified occupier on neighbouring land; and

·        publish the notice on the Planning Portal Website.

            It was reported that the Planning Committee, at its meeting on 12th June, had considered a report in relation to an award of the tender for the provision of advertising services and considered the following two options:

·        Option 1 – a single newspaper tender which could be significantly under the publicising applications budget of £200k, which would allow the Council to invest any savings back in the planning service to help support the Improvement Plan;

·        Option 2 – to continue to publicise planning applications in two newspapers.  Based on cost under the existing  interim arrangement, this should be in the region of £210k.

It was pointed out that the Planning Committee had agreed to recommend Option

1 to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for approval.

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by councillor Attwood,

      That the Committee agrees to reject the recommendation of the Planning Committee and adopt Option 2.

            On a vote by show of hands, eight Members voted for the proposal and ten against and it was declared lost.

Moved by Councillor Long,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson,

      That the Committee agrees to adopt the recommendation of the Planning Committee and approve Option 1.

            On a vote by show of hands, ten members voted for the the proposal and eight against and it was declared carried.

            The Committee endorsed the Draft Developer Contributions Framework, which was intended to set out the Council’s approach to securing Developer Contributions through the planning process, and agreed that it be issued for a 12-week public consultation.  The Committee noted that the Framework had also been endorsed by the Planning Committee on 12th June.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an update in relation to the replacement of the Northern Ireland Planning Portal.

            The Committee deferred consideration of the above-mentioned report to enable Party briefings to take place.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Department for Communities implementation of the Evason Report recommendations relating to Advice and the Welfare Reform Support Project; and which provided details of that department’s Letter of Variance to the Community Support Programme (CSP), 2018/19, specifically relating to additional funding for Advice Sector Support for Welfare Reform and Universal Credit Implementation.

The Committee:

          (i)     noted the contents of the report relating to Department’s update on the Evason Report Recommendations;

         (ii)     agreed the amendments and variations to the Contract for Funding detailed in the Letter of Variance and noted that the digital support package for West Belfast had been reduced to £15,000.

            The Committee considered a report in relation to a request by agents of the Red Bull Formula One team for use of the City Hall function rooms and grounds in regards to a Red Bull Formula One event, which was to be staged on Saturday, 3rd November, 2018.

            The Committee approved the free use of the City Hall function rooms and grounds for the aforementioned event. 

Area Based FestivalThe Committee was advised that a request had recently been received from the Frank Warren boxing organisation to have a promotional and boxing demonstration event in the grounds of the City Hall on a date to be decided in either July or August 2018. The event, which was linked to the upcoming Paddy Barnes World title event taking place in Windsor Park on the 18th, would feature boxers such as Carl Frampton, Tyson Fury and Paddy Barnes. The main focus of the event would be interviews with boxing celebrities and sparring demonstrations.

The Committee was reminded that requests for the use of the City Hall grounds were normally dealt with under the authority delegated by the Committee to the City Solicitor, using criteria agreed for this purpose. Occasionally, however, it was necessary to place such requests directly before the Committee, and this request fell into that category.

            The Committee approved the request to hold the boxing event in the City Hall grounds on a date to be decided in July or August 2018.

            It agreed also to delegate authority to the City Solicitor to consider and approve a similar request which had been submitted in relation to a title fight involving Michael Conlon.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th May, it had agreed to fund the following summer diversionary events and education programmes:

·        Féile an Phobail (Festival) -  £100,000;

·        Twaddell Woodvale Residents’ Association (Woodvale Festival) - £100,000

·        NI Alternatives (East Belfast Community Festival) - £50,000;

·        New Lodge Arts (New Lodge Festival) - £40,000;

·        Markets Development Association (Diversionary Activities) - £10,000;

·        Belfast South Community Resources - £26,521; and

·        Ulster-Scotch Heirskip Cooncil/Ulster-Scots Community Network – community education programme, community visualisation programme and 3 year strategic planning process for new festival) - £80,000.

            It had been agreed also that:

·        the funding applications be subject to due diligence, appropriate legal agreements and to evaluations being undertaken;

·        To ensure transparency in future years, to establish an open call diversionary programme with an agreed budget; and

·        That Council officers engage with the groups that were not allocated support to discuss alternative funding opportunities.

            It was reported, given the tight timescales in relation to a number of the projects, that officers had been working closely with the groups to develop their project proposals and work through due diligence and appropriate legal agreements as agreed by the Members.  That had involved officers from a number of Services within the Council.

            The Committee was advised that, to date, two of the proposals had been approved and a further two had reached the stage of due diligence where funding agreements could be prepared.  Those were New Lodge Arts (Ashton Trust) and the Markets Development Association.

            After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor Beattie,

Seconded by Councillor O’Donnell,

      That the Committee agrees to authorise the release of Funding Agreements to the New Lodge Arts (Ashton Trust) and the Markets Development Association for summer diversionary events in the sum of £40.000 and £10,000, respectively, with 90% of the funding to paid up front and the remaining 10% to be paid following satisfactory completion of monitoring and evaluation returns.

            On a recorded vote, thirteen members voted for the proposal and six against and it was declared carried:

            Call-in

Moved by Councillor O’Donnell,

Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

      That the Committee agrees further, in accordance with Standing Order 47(a) 2(a), that the decision is not subject to call-in on the basis that an unreasonable delay could be prejudicial to the Council’s or the public’s interest.

            On a recorded vote, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was declared carried:

(End of restricted items.)

            The Committee was reminded that the Corporate Plan was a key governance document, cited in the Council’s constitution as the means by which the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee sets the strategic direction of the Council.  It set out what the Council wanted to achieve for the city and the key priority actions to make that happen.  A four year Corporate Plan (2017-21) had been approved by the Committee on 23rd June 2017, with the agreement that it would be updated annually.

            It was reported that the Year 2 updates to the draft corporate plan reflected a range of organisational and city-wide planning led by the Members over the last year and built upon the four-year plan already agreed by the Committee.  Since the original four year plan had been published, the Belfast Agenda had been finalised and many of the changes reflected the published version of the Belfast Agenda.  A number of the programmes of work had progressed over the last year – the Year 2 update also reflected those developments.

            In addition, the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 had introduced a duty on councils to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of its functions.  The Council, therefore, had a statutory obligation to publish an Improvement Plan setting out the Council’s Improvement Objectives.  The Northern Ireland Audit Office was responsible for overseeing the implementation of that duty and would undertake an examination of the planning process the Council used to derive the improvement objectives and its progress against them.

            The corporate plan therefore incorporated the Council’s improvement plan, which explicitly laid out the Council’s improvement objectives.  Those objectives cascaded from the Council’s priorities as informed by a wide body of evidence, including a far reaching consultation process which informed the development of the Belfast Agenda and Corporate Plan.

            As part of the aforementioned Act, the Council was required to consult on its improvement objectives each year before publishing a final improvement plan by June.  In order to meet this timeframe, the Committee, at its meeting on 22nd March, had approved an eight week consultation period on the six improvement objectives contained within the draft improvement plan for 2018/19. 

            The Committee approved the final draft of the Year Two Update of the 2017/21 Corporate plan and the 2018/19 Improvement Plan for online publication.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To update Committee on the ongoing development of a Belfast Region City Deal Proposition including engagement and negotiation with Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Treasury on emerging projects and next steps.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note;

·        The progress made in developing the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD)

·        The following draft documents prepared in support of the BRCD

-       Draft Proposition document

-       Industrial Strategic Framework

-       Digital Vision and Strategy

-       Initial Employability and Skills Proposition

-       Draft Belfast Region Infrastructure Investment Framework

·        The plans for the next meeting of the Joint Council Forum on 25 June 2018

·        The next steps in the development of the deal leading to the development of a Heads of Term document during the month of September.

2.2       The Committee is also asked to approve:

·        The commissioning of external expertise to support the further development of the BRCD proposition including specialist economic modelling and prioritisation, project development and proposition design at a cost of approximately £250,000 from within existing budgets.

·        The commissioning of further work to take forward the BRCD Digital and Innovation Strategy including the development of specific projects, identification of additional funding and delivery mechanisms and engagement with key partners at a cost of £270,000 from within existing budgets.

2.3       Committee should note that the costs for both of these pieces of work will be allocated across the six councils in the BRCD, based on the EPP, meaning that the actual cost to Belfast City Council will be approximately £190,000, a third of the total contract costs outlined above.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Members will be aware that a major programme to enable the development of the BRCD, in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, is now in full operation.

            Programme Update

3.2       At the last SP&R committee meeting members were provided with an update on the progress made in working with partners to develop the strategic policy frameworks that are required to underpin and support the BRCD and of the work completed to define the key strands of the BRCD in relation to Innovation, Digital, Infrastructure, Tourism and Employability and Skills. Members were also advised that a meeting was planned with senior officials from the lead UK and NI Government Departments to update them on the work completed, test emerging projects for possible inclusion in the deal, discuss financing and economic modelling and agree next steps in the negotiations to ensure the city region is on track to secure a deal by the autumn statement.

3.3       A number of draft documents were prepared for discussion at the meeting of senior officials and the following drafts are attached for information.

-       The draft proposition document which summarises the progress to date in developing the BRCD  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee was reminded that the Belfast Agenda committed the Council to ensuring an Age-friendly Belfast.  The Belfast Strategic Partnership led the age-friendly process, supported by the Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP).  A draft Age-friendly Belfast Plan 2018 – 2021 had now been produced to be agreed by the partners, including the Council, for public consultation.

            The Committee:

·        agreed the draft Age-friendly Belfast Plan 2018-2021 and committed to deliver the actions attributable to the Council; and

·        agreed that the draft plan be issued for public consultation from 3rd July til 25th September, 2018.

            The Committee was advised that the Gender Action Plan (GAP) had been developed by the Women’s Steering Group (WSG) and set out how the Council would deliver its commitment to gender equality and diversity by delivering a number of agreed activities each year. 

            The Women’s Steering Group comprised female elected members and female senior managers and had been established in 2006 to address the under representation of female senior managers and female elected Members in the Council through the development of a gender action plan.  In recent years, elected Members had been keen to widen the focus of the plan to include women in communities and across the city.  The Group had successfully delivered a number of gender initiatives via its GAP, including the provision of a Family Room in City Hall, the hosting of a regional gender budgeting conference and most recently by attaining a bronze award in the Gender Diversity Chartermark NI.  The Group had agreed a new three year Gender Action Plan for delivery between April 2018 and March 2021.  The plan was divided into four key themes: women in the council; women in the community;women in the economy; and women in the city.

            It was reported that many of the actions, in particular those with a focus on women in the community, the economy and the city, were aligned to the delivery of the Belfast Agenda.  The year one actions and the resources required to deliver those were set out in the accompanying appendix.  In addition to the financial resources required, the plan also identified the role that individual business units and departments had in the delivery of the plan.

            The Women’s Steering Group had also recognised that, in terms of delivery of the Belfast Agenda, a “diversity lens” and specifically a “gender lens” should be developed to feed into future policy development and action planning, as well as associated capacity building for Council officers and community planning partners.  That had been included in the year two action plan.

            The Committee agreed to the budget for the delivery of the Gender Action Plan for year one 2018/19.

The Committee considered a report in relation to a proposed Members’ Poverty Workshop and agreed that:

                         (i)     The poverty workshop be arranged in early September, 2018;

                        (ii)     The Joseph Roundtree Foundation be appointed to facilitate the event;

                       (iii)     The Belfast Youth Forum be invited to present the findings of its poverty report; and

                       (iv)     Agreed the outlined approach for an agenda.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       In support of the objectives of the Smart Belfast programme, and within the context of the Belfast Region City Deal, an application has been made to the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s 5G Urban Connected Communities project. The project will provide substantial funding to one large urban area to deploy a next generation 5G wireless network.

1.2       Members should note that a DCMS briefing session for this competition was held in Belfast in mid-May and that the closing date for applications was 12 June. Due to these compressed timescales for the preparation of an application, officers were unable to bring this proposal to Committee beforehand.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1 The Committee is asked to:

1.      To retrospectively approve the submission of a Belfast application to the DCMS 5G urban Connected Communities project.

2.      To note the importance of 5G to the future digital innovation ambitions of the city.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The UK Department for Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) are making substantial capital and revenue funding available to one large urban area to deploy a 5G network. The aim to establish one of the world’s first large-scale urban 5G networks to trial and show-case wireless innovations, products and services (and to attract commercial investment from network operators and international investors.)

3.2       Why is 5G important to cities? 5G networks will provide ultra-fast (+100Gb) ubiquitous, wireless connectivity. Over time such networks are likely to replace existing technologies (eg, WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G mobile, Lorawan, and even wired broadband) and to become the backbone for most consumer, industrial and city products, services and processes.

3.3       The Government in its national 5G strategy has identified 5G as a key infrastructure for the economy over the next decade. With this in mind, cities need to be thinking now about how they will deploy such networks and how they can integrate 5G opportunities into forthcoming infrastructure projects (eg) street-scaping, street lighting renewal programmes, road, rail, electricity, water and bus-stop investments, public estate investments, new buildings, commercial development sites, etc.

3.4       At this point DCMS are engaging with local authorities in their search for a city. They will first choose their ideal urban location and only then will engage with Equipment Manufacturers and Mobile Networks Operators on deployment.

3.5       The successful city needs to show a commitment to a shared vision for digital innovation in which public, business and academic partners are committed to working together to test, trial, deploy and showcase how 5G can have an impact on their city. Following engagement with our two local universities, Invest NI, NI Government Depts, and others–an outline application has been made proposing that Belfast is an ideal innovation location for this investment.

3.6       Belfast’s outline concept proposes a phased development focused initially on the Harbour, Titanic Quarter and city centre (with later phases incorporating the entire Belfast City Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

            The Committee considered a report which sought approval for the terms of reference for the development of a Belfast City Council Sports Development Strategy and the proposed timeline for completion.  It was reported that these had both been considered at the meeting  of the People and Communities Committee on 5th June and had been recommended for approval to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 5th January, it had agreed that a Belfast City Council Sports Development Strategy and associated funding strategy be developed.  This strategy was to provide a framework for future decision making on providing funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport delivering programmes in Belfast in support of existing funding streams and work programmes which enhance sporting opportunities for Belfast’s sporting organisations and individuals.

Proposed Terms of Reference

            Based on what had been agreed by the Committee previously, the following were the proposed Terms of Reference for the development of the strategy:

·        Policy context – regional and city level

·        Baseline audit of the support currently provided by Belfast City Council

·        Key findings from research and benchmarking around best practice from elsewhere

·        Summary of the findings of pre-consultation with key stakeholders on support already provided and the needs of the sector 

·        Guiding principles on how we support sports at the different levels – recreational, competitive, performance (elite)

·        Guiding principles on how we support sports to different bodies – governing bodies, sports clubs, other bodies  - this will include the issue of whether support should only be provided to governing bodies recognised by the Home Countries Sports Bodies 

·        An action plan and associated performance measures

            Draft Timeline

            Subject to Committee’s approval of the draft terms of reference, the following was a proposed timeline for the development of the strategy:

            The Committee agreed to the the proposed Terms of Reference; and the draft timeline for the development of the strategy.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to ask Members to consider a proposed new regional resourcing model for the local government civil contingencies function. The proposed resourcing model was presented to the NI branch of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) at its meeting in May. A paper outlining the proposal is attached to this report.

1.2       Following local government reform and recent restructuring of the areas for local government civil contingencies there are now three sub-regions in Northern Ireland, North, South and Belfast. Each sub-region has a multi-agency Emergency Preparedness Group. The proposed regional resourcing model will provide civil contingencies programme management in the three new sub-regional areas.

1.3       In brief, the proposed model is a regional service, fully funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), with a single employing authority and a service level agreement between it and the other ten councils. DfC funding will be drawn down via the host council, reducing duplication of financial and HR resources and enhancing accountability and governance arrangements. This concept has been successfully employed for other shared service functions, for example, animal welfare.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Note the attached paper outlining the new local government resilience resourcing model and agree the proposed way forward. This will include agreement for a single employing authority and the need for the development of a service level agreement between the employer council and the other ten councils.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       The desired outcomes of this proposed new resourcing model are to: 

·        Provide confidence and assurance for Councils and their Chief Executives that multi-agency plans are in place which complement arrangements existing within councils;

·        Have sufficient resilience to provide adequate cover, particularly during response to emergencies;

·        Embed adequate governance arrangements to ensure consistency and performance management across all EPG areas;

·        Align as best as possible with other organisations planning and response structures to allow for effective planning and response

3.2       Currently Belfast City Council employs a Programme Manager for the Belfast EPG; the Council also hosts the Regional Officer for local government civil contingencies and a regional support officer post. DfC funds these posts and the support costs for the Belfast EPG. 

3.3       Under the proposed new arrangements, the Regional Officer will report to a director in the host council and to a regional steering group comprising Chief Executives from the three sub-regions and the SOLACE lead for the Civil Contingencies function.

3.4       For the Belfast area, the proposal is to increase resourcing from one existing Programme Manager and a 50% administration post to two full time posts. The new posts will be referred to as a Resilience Manager and a Resilience Officer. These posts will be 100% funded by DFC. The post of the Resilience Manager will be a permanent post and the Resilience Officer a fixed term post. These posts will continue to be located in Belfast City  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, Active Belfast limited and Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) were partners in delivering the leisure service for Belfast.  As partners, they had committed to developing a strategy for aquatics for the period 2018 – 2030.  Following pre-consultation the previous summer with key stakeholders, including schools, swimming clubs and other water-based sports clubs which used the Council’s facilities, the partners had drafted a strategy.  Throughout the development process of the draft strategy, it had been agreed at key stages by the Active Belfast Board and reported through the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee. 

            The next stage in the process was to undertake a public consultation on the draft strategy.  Subject to the Council’s approval, it was proposed that the public consultation would take place from Monday 23rd July to Friday, 12th October.  The public consultation would include the use of the Council’s online platform Citizen Space and public information sessions.  The consultation would be publicised through the usual Council communication channels and information sessions would be held towards the end of the consultation period to ensure maximum participation. 

            It was anticipated that the findings from the pubic consultations and the final strategy, with any proposed amendments as a result of the consultation, would be submitted to the November meeting of the Committee for consideration and final approval.

            The Committee agreed to the draft strategy and the proposed approach and timeline for public consultation.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme covers projects under a range of funding streams including the Capital Programme, the Leisure Transformation Programme, LIF, BIF, the Social Outcomes Fund and the projects which the Council is delivering on behalf of other agencies. This paper provides an update for Members on the Physical Programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

            General

·        note the achievements under the physical programme over the last quarter as outlined in 3.1 and that, given the both the current scale of the programme and the number of new Members, that a tour of a number of physical projects (both completed or underway) is being scheduled for all Members. All Members are encouraged to take up this opportunity (see 3.2).

Proposed movements on/additions to the Capital Programme

·        agree that the Navarra Place project is moved to Stage 3- Committed on the Capital Programme. It is recommended that this is held at ‘Tier 0 – Schemes at Risk’ pending confirmation of funding from the DoJ, agreement on the land transfer from NIHE and a satisfactory tender return.  Members are further asked to agree that the necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

·        Physical Programme 2018/2019 and beyond

·        note the challenges and implications for the Physical Programme moving forward and agree that a series of Party Group briefings are undertaken on the Physical Programme, its links to the Council’s strategic agenda and the future financing strategy are undertaken.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial physical programme covering over 200 projects under a range of funding streams including the capital programme, BIF and LIF together with the projects that it is delivering on behalf of other agencies including the Executive Office and the Department for Communities. There are currently approx. 200 ‘live’ projects on the physical programme worth in excess of £300m which makes it not only a significant programme from a Council perspective but also one of the biggest regeneration programmes in the city.

3.2       It is proposed that, given the both the current scale of the programme and the number of new Members, that a tour of a number of physical projects (both completed and  underway) across the city is scheduled for all Members. It is likely that this will take place in August/September and ideally will be scheduled for a Saturday morning. Details will be communicated in due course and all Members are encouraged to take up this opportunity.

3.3       Members are asked to note that there have been significant achievements under the physical programme in the last couple of months –

·        RICS Northern Ireland Project of the Year – the Council was awarded the prestigious RICS Project of the Year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

            The Committee agreed to grant approval to the following, subject to the detailed terms to be agreed by the Estates Manager and City Solicitor:

Ravenscroft Avenue Car Park –

Land Disposal

            The disposal of a portion of land at Ravenscroft Avenue to the Department of Infrastructure for £2,000 in order to facilitate the construction of a bike shelter.

Corporation Street Off Street Car Park –

Licence Renewal

            The renewal (at a nominal licence fee) of a one-year licence agreement with the Department for Infrastructure for the off street car park at Corporation Street.

Duncrue Complex – North West Mountain

Rescue Licence

            The grant of a one-year licence to the North West Mountain Rescue Team for use of a vehicle parking space within Duncrue Complex on the terms as outlined in the report.

Cregagh Youth and Community Centre –

New Licence to Ulster Rugby for occasional

use of overflow car park

            The grant of a 9-month Licence to Ulster Rugby for their occasional use of the overflow car park adjacent to Cregagh Youth and Community Centre.

Finlay Park –Licence for sewer connection

            The grant of a licence and easement for Choice Housing Association to make a connection to the public sewer situated in Finlay Park.

            Brook Activity Centre and Playing Fields –

            Lease to Northern  Ireland Electricity (NIE)

             for a substation and Cable Wayleave

            The grant of a 999-year lease and cable wayleave to NIE for a site at Summerhill Road for the purpose of providing electricity supply to the proposed Brook Leisure Centre.

            Giant’s Park, North Foreshore –

            Licences for Bird Surveys

            The grant of a Licence Agreement to the British Trust for Ornithology in respect of bird surveys to be undertaken at Giant’s Park, North Foreshore, for a period of 5 years.  In addition, the Committee approved the grant of licence agreements with prospective developers, as required, in respect of bird surveys to inform planning applications.

Giant’s Park, North Foreshore –

Variation of Electricity Power Purchase Agreement

            Authority for the Council to enter into a Deed of Amendment with Power NI to alter the current electricity Power Purchase Agreement between the Council and Power NI.

Grampian Avenue Playground – Acquisition of Land

            The acquisition of two plots of land at Grampian Avenue Playground from the Department for Infrastructure and Radius Housing Association on the terms as set out in the report. 

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of the report is to seek approval in principle to the disposal of Council owned land to two Housing Associations for the development of housing.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       1. Members approval is sought in principle to the disposal of land at:

                                        (i)     the former Grove Primary School site to Grove Housing Association and

                                       (ii)     Upper Whiterock Rd (adjacent 265 Whiterock Rd) to Radius Housing Association.

            The disposal of these lands are subject to valuation by Land & Property Services and detailed terms to be agreed by the Estates Manger and City Solicitor.

            2. Members are asked to note that there are other housing proposals in respect of various Council lands currently underway.  Further reports will be brought back to Committee in the near future regarding these proposals.  Members should also note that in recent years a number of surplus Council lands have been sold for social housing purposes.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Council owns the former Grove Primary School Site at North Queen Street, which it acquired in December 2012.  The site extends to approximately 2.5 acres and adjoins the Council owned Grove Playing Fields and is located opposite the Old Grove Leisure Centre site.

3.2       Members will be aware that, as part of the Belfast Investment Fund (BIF), there are proposals for the development of the former Grove Leisure Centre site as a community and youth facility.  The Strategic Policy & Resources Committee, at their meeting on 24 November 2017, gave approval to move the project proposal to Stage 2 (Uncommitted) under BIF.  An Economic Appraisal process is currently underway in respect of this project.

3.3       The former Grove Primary School site is held in the Councils Corporate Landbank as a surplus asset and a planning appraisal has been undertaken which indicates that it may be suitable for development of housing.  Grove Housing Association, supported by NIHE, wish to acquire the site for the development of social housing.  Their initial proposal is for 24 units, although there will be scope for some further development on the site at a later stage. 

3.4       It should also be noted that the site adjoins lands owned by NIHE at Alexandra Park Avenue who have recently agreed the sale of their lands for private housing development. The development of these combined lands (all of which are currently lying vacant) for private and social housing, together with the BIF proposal for the community /youth facility, will significantly contribute to the regeneration of this area from a social and economic perspective.

3.5       The Council also owns an area of land, extending to 3.7 acres, at the upper end of Whiterock Road (adjacent 265 Whiterock Rd), to the rear of New Barnsley Crescent.   This land is located within the development limit for Belfast and zoned for housing within the Belfast Urban Area Plan (BUAP) 2001.  The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) 2014 also zones it for social housing. The land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

            The Committee:

Area Working Group Minutes

·        Approved and adopted the minutes of the meetings of  the Area Working Groups (AWG)  as follows: (East – 16th May; East – 17th May; South – 21st May; West – 24th May; North - 29th May and East – 7th June).

Local Investment Fund (LIF)

·        Agreed the recommended proposals as set out below from the North and West AWGs in relation to LIF

Belfast Investment Fund (BIF)

·        Agreed the recommended proposals as set out below from the North and East AWGs in relation to BIF:

           Social Innovation Challenge Programme

·        Agreed that the following projects receive funding from the Social Innovation Challenge Programme:

NORTH (NEW LODGE)

EAST (INNER EAST)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       This report presents the financial outturn for the Council for the year ended 31 March 2018. It includes a reporting pack which contains a summary of the financial indicators and an executive summary. It also provides a more detailed explanation of each of the relevant indicators and covers the outturn for the year and implications for reserves and the year-end Treasury Management position (Appendix 2).

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the year end outturn and reserves position.

·        Note that the balance of department underspend of £28,993 will be allocated to General Reserves.

3.0       Main report

            Financial Outturn 2017/18

3.1       The year-end departmental position for the Council is an under-spend of £435,514 (0.3%). The main reasons for the departmental net expenditure variance include employee under-spends due to staff turnover, vacancies and receipt of additional central grants income.

3.2      Members will recall that the Committee, on the 18 May 2018, agreed to allocate £226,521 from General Reserves and £180,000 from the Capital of Culture Specified Reserves to fund £406,521 of area-based festivals expenditure.

3.3       After the replenishment of reserves for the above allocations of £406,521 from the departmental underspend of £435,514 there remains a balance of £28,993 of departmental underspend which will be transferred to General Reserves.

            LPS Rates Finalisation

3.3       The year-end outturn as reported by LPS is a surplus of £750k. This comprises a surplus rates income of £1.1m and reduction in the actual derating grant of £350k. This surplus was fully allocated by the Committee in November 2017.

            Capital Financing

3.4       The year-end capital financing expenditure was fully applied at the year end, this includes the £2.2m of financing available due to slippage in the capital programme, which was reallocated by the Committee in November 2017.

            Capital Expenditure

3.5       In the twelve months to 31 March 2018 the Council incurred net expenditure of £19.2m on capital schemes. In addition £3.2m of levered monies was also spent on capital schemes during the year bringing the gross capital expenditure to £22.4m for 2017/18. Non-recurring project expenditure was £0.9m against a budget of £1.2m. 

            Local Investment Funds (LIF 1 and LIF 2)

3.6      Committed expenditure on LIF 1 projects at the year-end was almost £5m, leaving a minimal balance of LIF 1 funding.

3.7      Committed expenditure on LIF 2 projects was £3.86m leaving a balance of £140k.

            City Centre Social Outcomes Fund

3.8       The City Centre Social Outcomes Fund was fully financed and the full balance of £4m remains in the fund at the 31 March 2018.

            Belfast Investment Fund

3.9       The Belfast Investment Fund balance was £4.25m at the end of 2017/18. From 2018/19, the recurrent rates contribution of £3.27m per annum will be allocated to the Belfast Investment Fund to finance £28.2m of Belfast investment Fund expenditure in future years. 

            City Centre Investment Fund  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

            The Director of Finance and Resources submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this paper is twofold;

·        to explain to Members the key elements of the ‘year-end’ process and the ‘assurance framework’ that the Council has developed over recent years to help ensure that the Council complies with statutory requirements and Members and senior officers can have effective, ongoing oversight of the Council’s governance and assurance arrangements.

·        to present the Annual Governance Statement for 2017/18, for consideration and inclusion in the unaudited statement of accounts which will be certified by the Chief Financial Officer by 30 June 2018 and then subject to NIAO audit. The Statement has been considered by the Audit & Risk Panel but must be approved by the Committee Chair, the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer.

1.2       The Annual Governance Statement is an important document and it is important that the Committee is fully aware of its contents.  The disclosures in the statement are based upon the Council’s corporate risk register and take into consideration the disclosures made by Chief Officers in their individual annual assurance statements.  The Annual Governance Statement also incorporates a summary of the Head of Audit, Governance and Risk Service’s annual assurance statement.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committees is asked to

·        Note the Council’s Assurance Framework.

·        Review and approve the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2017/18 and, in particular, the disclosure of the significant governance issues contained in the statement.

·        Following review, the statement will be incorporated into the Council’s unaudited financial statements for 2017/18 which will be certified by the Chief Financial Officer by 30 June 2018.  It will be subject to review by the LGA (NIAO) as part of their annual audit.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       The Council’s Assurance Framework shows how different sources of assurance and related key elements / control measures combine to enable the Council to monitor its governance arrangements and produce the evidence to support its Annual Governance Statement.  The diagram shows how the Council’s Audit & Risk Panel, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and Council provide oversight of these governance arrangements. 

3.1       Preparation of Annual Governance Statement

            The Council has a statutory responsibility to annually prepare and publish an Annual Governance Statement as part of the Financial Report.  Many different processes inform the preparation of the Statement as can be seen from the Assurance Framework at Appendix 1.  Specifically, the Annual Governance Statement sets out:

·        scope of the responsibility of the Council in relation to governance

·        the purpose of the governance framework

·        the governance framework that is actually in place

·        the review of effectiveness of the governance framework that has taken place

·        an update on the significant governance issues disclosed at year-end 2017

·        significant governance issues to be disclosed for year-end 2018 and action proposed to address them.

3.3       The Statement for 2017/18 is presented at Appendix 2 and should be approved by the Chair of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

            The Committee:

·        noted the summary of the work of the Panel during 2017/18; and

·        approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Risk Panel of 5th June, 2018.

            The Committee:

·        approved the public advertisement and acceptance of tenders as listed in Appendix 1, Table 1 through the Council’s electronic procurement system; 

·        granted delegated authority to the appropriate Director, using pre-agreed criteria, to accept the most economically advantageous tender;

·        allowed month by month extensions where contracts were under review as outlined in Appendix 1, Table 2; and

·        agreed to accede to Standing Order 55 - (a) exceptions in relation to contracts by direction of the council acting on recommendations of a Chief Officer that the exception is justified in special circumstances - for the contracts laid out in Appendix 1, Table 3:

Appendix 1 - Schedule of tenders for consideration

Table 1 – New tenders

Table 2 – Contracts for extension of contract period

Table 3 Direct Award Contracts (Single Tender Action)

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Shared City Partnership of 11th June.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of the report is to update Members in relation to the Pride of Place Awards in 2018 and to present options regarding BCC participation. 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                            i.   Consider the options put forward for the Pride of Place Awards 2018 and agree their preferred option.

                                           ii.   Approve the entry costs of the proposed groups based on the preferred option.

                                         iii.   Approve the accommodation allowance for the Judges’ Assessment Visit to Belfast in August 2018.

                                         iv.   Approve the attendance of the Chair, or their nominee, and the project officer, together with a maximum of two persons per external project at the 2018 awards ceremony and approve the payment of corresponding entrant fees, travel, attendance and subsistence allowances.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Pride of Place competition has been supported by Belfast City Council for a number of years with Community Service Officers taking the organisational lead in the selection and preparation of entrant groups since 2009.  It is run by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with the All Island Local Authority Steering forum, which encourages strategic and sustainable approaches to cross-border co-operation by Local Authorities.

3.2       The competition recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society. The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area.

3.3       Each year, several categories are defined and entries invited: all entrants must be nominated by their local authority.  Each Council can nominate up to 5 groups in for separate categories. The 2018 categories are;

·        Urban Neighbourhoods under 1,000

·        Urban Neighbourhoods between 1,000-2,000

·        Urban neighbourhoods over 2,000

·        Creative Place Initiative

·        Community Wellbeing Initiative

·        Communities Reaching Out Initiative

3.4       Winners are announced at a high-profile awards ceremony which is hosted by a previous winning council.  The 2017 Gala Event was hosted by Donegal County Council.  This year the event will be held in Cork City Hall on 17th November.

3.5       In previous years, entrants nominated and sponsored by Belfast City Council have enjoyed considerable success. Since 2009, 38 Organisations have been nominated.

3.6       Last year Council nominated:

·        The Hanwood Project in the Urban Neighbourhood Over 2,000 category

·        Lower Oldpark Community Association in the Urban Neighbourhood Under 3,000 category

·        College Park Avenue Residents’ Association in the Community Environmental Initiative category

·        Upper Springfield Youth Team in the Community Based Youth Initiative category.

3.7       Both Lower Oldpark Community Association and the Upper Springfield Youth Team were the overall winners in their respective categories.

3.8       All the groups nominated to date have given positive feedback and have experienced tangible benefits from their association with the competition. These include an increased sense of pride, motivation to continue their commitment to provide excellent community facilities and programmes and increased recognition for their interventions from their local community.

            Key Issues

3.9       We received notification of the Pride Place Awards at the end of March with a closing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To propose an approach to commission future learning and development providers for elected member development.

1.2       To set out a draft proposed Governance Continuing Development Programme, with the aim of further supporting members in their governance role.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1      The Committee is asked to :

·        Agree that the selection and commissioning of allexternal learning and development providers for the purposes of elected member development is undertaken by Corporate HR, in line with corporate procurement guidelines and the associated financial thresholds.

·        The roll-out of a Governance development programme up until February/March 2019, the proposed content of the programme, and suggest any other additional topics or activities which they consider would be beneficial to incorporate within the overall programme.

3.0       Main report

            Approach to elected member learning and development provision

3.1       The current member development framework, approved by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, in March, 2017 includes:

·        A PDP process for elected members (with an associated annual budget of £730 per member)

·        Members’ Assistance to Study Scheme

·        Elected Member Role Profiles

·        Members’ Knowledge and Skills Framework

·        Elected Member Capacity Building Plan

3.2       Internal expertise is used to design and deliver much of the capacity building for elected members. However, for some elements of member training, particularly in respect of the planning and licensing functions, it has been necessary to commission external expertise in particular fields.

3.3       Currently, commissioning of external expertise for corporately led member capacity building programmes is undertaken by HR in line with corporate guidelines. Where feasible HR uses the Local Government Training Group’s call-off framework for learning and development provision, for the selection of appropriate providers and undertakes procurement exercises, where necessary.

3.4       In respect of Members’ PDPs, there are occasions when members will have a preferred learning and development provider to deliver training either on an individual basis, or where PDP budgets are pooled by a party group to deliver capacity building collectively to the party.  While it is recognised that on occasion members may have preferences regarding providers, it is proposed that the most appropriate approach is for Corporate HR to commission any necessary external provision in line with procurement guidance.  This will ensure a more structured and robust approach to the commissioning of learning and development providers, in particular for members’ PDP activities. 

            Elected members role in good governance

3.5       Good corporate governance is an essential element in the efficient running of local government and is critical if the Council is to achieve the goals set out in the Belfast Agenda and meet the expectations of citizens and stakeholders.

3.6       The Council’s governance arrangements are concerned with the structures and processes for decision-making, accountability and transparency. Collectively the governance arrangements facilitate the Council in having a clear direction, accountability and appropriate working arrangements, which help ensure we achieve what we set out to do.  The internal governance, ethics, and relationships, which underpin good governance, are set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

            The Committee considered a report which had been submitted by the Strategic Director of City and neighbourhood Services in relation to the Affordable Warmth scheme:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1         At SP&R on 23rd March 2018 a report was presented to discuss the proposal tabled at the People and Communities committee around the issue of providing additional resourcing for the scheme.  The recommendations were:

·        Members are reminded that the Committee agreed at its meeting on the 16 February 2018, that no further financial re-allocations would be made until the year end position was considered at the June meeting of the Committee, given that the uncommitted forecast represents less than 0.2% of departmental expenditure.

·        Members are also asked to note, that the Department for Communities (DfC) workshop will take place on the 27 March 2018, when it is hoped that the Council will receive the detail of the DfC commitment for 2018/19.

·        In view of the above, it is recommended that a further report on the additional resource requirements is provided to the Committee in April 2018, following the workshop.

1.2       During the meeting it was agreed that officers would carry out a trawl to see if there is spare capacity within another section to assist in delivering the Affordable Warmth (AW) scheme.  The service is currently carrying out a trawl across the organisation for additional business support staff to support the customer contact and administration elements of the scheme.

1.3       The managers meeting of 27th March did not provide any commitment from DfC for 2018-2019.  Following a further managers meeting on 25th May 2018 DfC confirmed that the target number of referrals would be reduced to a total of 220 in the year, compared to 405 last year.  The budget provided for the year is £68,780 compared to £73,305 last year. This means 17 referrals per month can be sent to Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) from June 2018.

1.4       This new target number of referrals will not meet the number of self-referrals being made to the scheme, with over 950 people currently on an expression of interest list, and will further exacerbate the difficulty in managing the expectations of the public. It is essential that the DfC agree to a message that councils can deliver as the front face of the scheme to help manage this expectation. While during the managers meeting this issue was raised with the DfC, they have suggested that a further workshop is held to look at the prioritisation, public expectations and the wider issues of the scheme.

1.5       Written confirmation of the funding and referral targets was received from the DfC on 11th June (Appendix 2). They also provided an SLA for 2018-2019 (Appendix 3).  The changes from the previous SLA are duties for councils and are highlighted in the document:

·        ‘highlight urgent cases to the NIHE Grants Manager at the time of referral. An urgent case is defined as a household with no heating system,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1         To report to Strategic Policy & Resources Committee regarding the use of single-use items for the Council, such as coffee cups and straws versus re-useable items of crockery and cutlery and to seek guidance on the next steps.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

·        Note the contents of this report and to consider next steps.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       At the SP&R Committee meeting in January 2018, Councillor McReynolds referred to the recently published Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) report into the impact of disposable coffee cups in the UK and asked the Council to consider the following motion ‘This Council welcomes the recent report by the Environmental Audit Committee into the impact of disposable coffee cups in the United Kingdom; acknowledges the impact they are having on the environment given that 2.5 billion are thrown away each year with many ending up in landfill; agrees to replace current coffee cups on council sites with compostable cups.’

3.2       The Committee agreed that a report on the replacement of current coffee cups with compostable cups on Council sites be submitted to a future meeting.  It also agreed that a report on the Council’s use of plastic materials be submitted to the future meeting.

3.3       Further to this Notice of Motion, in April a councillor sent a letter to the Chief Executive raising concerns around plastic polluting the seas and, in particular, the problem of plastic straws.  In the letter, the councillor noted the Council’s success in tackling recycling and asked for the Council to give consideration to banning single-use plastic straws across Council properties.

            Context

3.4       In recent months, there has been considerable public and media interest in plastics and their fate.  As part of the Circular Economy package (CEP), new recycling targets have been introduced for municipal waste (55% by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035) and are now awaiting transcription into local legislation.  As part of this package, the EU announced proposals to restrict the use of single-use plastic products which would affect the sale of plastic plates, cutlery, stirrers and straws, sticks for balloons and cotton buds with plastic stalks.  Some items (plastic bottles, food containers, wrappers/packaging, sanitary towels/wet wipes, balloons, lightweight plastic bags and cigarette filters) would not be banned, but subject to financial measures to encourage industry to reconsider their business model and/or pay for collection and clean-up costs of these items.  The aim is to affect the design of these items and ask manufacturers to consider if there are sustainable alternatives.  In terms of single-use plastic bottles, the CEP will mean Governments have to ensure that 90% of these are collected for recycling by 2025. 

3.5       This plastic bottle target is in part a response to China's ban on importing plastics waste and the EU aim is to either cease production of these single-use items or to develop volumes which would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Budget and Transformation Panel of 14th June, 2018.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the North Foreshore Members’ Steering Group of 13th June, 2018.

            The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting of the Active Belfast Limited Board of 11th June. 2018.

            The Committee considered a request from New Irish Arts to partner with the Council and bring the final performance of “Greater Love” to the City hall to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One.

            The Committee was advised that New Irish Arts was a Christian organisation that produced high-quality events in concert halls, churches and community venues.  Its Christmas choir and orchestra concerts had sold out at the Waterfront for several years. It produced regular broadcasts for the  BBC and RTE, as well as albums that were sold around the world.  New Irish Arts had approximately 500 local musicians and singers and was about to enter its 25th year. 

            During the last 4 years, New Irish Arts had been running an event called “Greater Love” - a production of music, stories and images from World War One. The script was designed to recognise the human face of those affected by the war, telling the stories of individuals from across Ireland who had made a positive difference, bringing hope and showing simple acts of love and friendship in the middle of the gruesome conflict.  The music was performed by a small choir and orchestra, with soloists, and contained wartime favourites as well as more contemplative performed music. 

            The inaugural event had taken place in Parliament Buildings in May, 2014 to an invited audience.  The following day New Irish Arts had received 16 expressions of interest for it to be performed in other community venues.  Since then the production had been presented 13 times across Northern Ireland.

            New Irish Arts was an apolitical organisation.  Great care had been taken when scripting “Greater Love” to ensure that the contribution to the war made by both sides of the community was properly recognised.  There were positive stories about reconciliation and the suspension of traditional unionist/nationalist divisions.   

            As New Irish Arts approached the end of 4 years of touring the event, it was very keen to explore the possibility of working in partnership with the Council to bring the final performance of “Greater Love” to the City Hall, in the run up to the anniversary of the Armistice.  It seemed particularly appropriate to consider the request given that the centenary of the ending of World War One would take place in November, 2018 and the event would provide an opportunity to reflect on the Great War in a subtle way and very much from a humanitarian perspective.  The request for support for such an event would be in keeping with the events planned for the commemoration of the centenary of the end of World War One through the Decade Of Centenaries Programme and would adhere to the principles which had been agreed by the Council.

            It was envisaged that the cost of producing the event in the Great Hall would be in the region of £4,000.  That finance would cover the logistics required to deliver the production in terms of additional staging, lighting and sound and to allow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

            The Committee approved the recommendations made in respect of applications received up to 12th June, 2018 as set out below, subject to the fee for the room charge for the use of the City Hall by St. Joseph’s College being waived.  It was agreed also that a report be submitted to a future meeting on the policy of charging of events being held in the City Hall:

JUNE 2018 CITY HALL FUNCTION APPLICATIONS

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Director of NI Confederation for Health and Social Services requesting the Council to help mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS on 5th July, 2018.  The NHS was celebrating its 70th birthday this year and during the month of June the Health and Social Care Services would be highlighting some of the key issues facing the health and social care sector in the coming decades.

            Activities in June would include a lecture, at Queens University Belfast, by Professor Rafael Bengoa on 12th June and a Slugger O’Toole panel event on 19th June.  Trade union colleagues were holding a NHS march on 30th June at Belfast City Hall.  

            As a friend and partner, Belfast City Council had been invited to join the celebrations in a way which was appropriate for the organisation.

            The Marketing and Corporate Communications team had considered the request and suggested the following proactive communications activities:

·        Tweet a message from @belfastcc Twitter account using the #NHS70 #HSC70 hashtags on July 5 – link to nurses having been awarded the Freedom of the City using relevant content and collateral from the event.

·        Lighting up Belfast City Hall in NHS blue on July 5 and highlighting via the #BelfastinLights hashtag.

·        Using Interlink to encourage staff to find out more about joining the organ donation register – with some case studies as appropriate.

·        Active employees – reflect the anniversary through our Chief Executive’s message in the July Team Brief that is issued organisation wide, linking our Active Travel strategy and other health and wellbeing initiatives.

·        Explore the potential of a staff competition with a prize that reflects the ‘being active’ theme for the winner.

·        Promoting any ‘give blood’ sessions organised for Belfast (City Hall has hosted these in the past) online and offline.

·        Internal/external messaging around looking after your mental health – promoting the ‘Take 5’ message.

·        Promoting volunteering opportunities – signposting people to our website to find out more.

·        Encouraging council staff to consider organising their own NHS ‘Big 7Tea’ cuppa/cake morning to raise money for HSC charities.

·        Use the ‘Happy Birthday NHS’ banner on front page of Interlink on July 5.

·        Promote health/well-being, Belfast Agenda/Healthy City messages – membership at leisure centres.

·        Banners to mark anniversary on home page of website.

            The Committee granted approval for the suggested communications activity.