Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported on behalf of Councillor McAllister.

            The minutes of the meeting of 18th February were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st March, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

Councillor Murphy declared an interest in respect of agenda item 3a - Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service, on the basis that he was on the Board of the Ligoniel Improvement Association, which managed the service on behalf of the citywide advice consortium and left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following fourteen 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 meeting during discussion of the following 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 (Northern Ireland) 2014.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 21st January, it had considered a motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Ferguson, calling upon the Council to support a joint Trades Union pay claim, seeking a 11.75% increase for members on Belfast City Council terms and conditions and a 15.75% increase for those on Castlereagh Borough Council terms and conditions.

The Committee had agreed that a meeting be held initially between GLL representatives and Elected Members, with a report on the key issues discussed to be submitted to a future meeting.

The Chief Executive reported that GLL representatives had, on 24th February, met with Party Leaders, during which GLL’s assessment of the request for a pay rise, including the number of staff affected and the estimated cost, had been set out. GLL had provided details around the timeline and process for engagement on the annual pay review and, in terms of next steps, had confirmed that meetings would be held with individual staff, staff groupings and Trades Unions. The Council would, over the next three months, receive an update on negotiations, details of which would then be presented to the Committee. 

The Committee noted the information which had been provided.   

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report seeking approval on three proposed elements to the overall approach to the Bonfires and Cultural Expression Programme for 2022.

After discussion, the Committee agreed as follows:

                             i.          Beacons

That the fourteen groups which had used a beacon in 2019 and 2021 be invited to submit an expression of interest to avail of a beacon to replace a traditional bonfire in July, 2022, subject to availability and site suitability;

                           ii.          Funding for Community Events

That potential participants on the Bonfire and Cultural Expression Programme Grants scheme for community festival events be directed to apply for funding for these events/activities over the summer to the generic Micro Grant Funding 2022/23 and that this approach be adopted for subsequent years, going forward; and

                          iii.          Positive Cultural Expression Programme

That up to £30,000, previously delivered through the Bonfire and Cultural Expression Programme for community events, be aligned with the new co-design framework which aimed to create a more rounded, sustainable and grass roots programme to support leadership and capacity building in arts, culture and heritage work in the broad Unionist community, as a joint approach from the Good Relations and the Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Arts Units via the ‘City Imagining Strategy’.

The Committee noted the contents of a report providing a quarterly update on the indicative timescales and prioritised work programme associated with the Organisational Reviews and Change Portfolio.

The Director of City and Organisational Strategy submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing a quarterly update on the number of employees on temporary contracts. The report provided information also, on a Departmental basis, on the number of agency staff engaged by the Council.

He confirmed that, at 1st March, 270 staff were filling posts on a temporary basis, 162 of whom had a substantive post to return to when no longer required. The remaining 108 staff were employed on a fixed-term contract basis and did not have a substantive post to return to. In addition, 301 agency staff were employed by the Council at 31st December.  

After discussion, the Committee:

i.       noted the contents of the report, including the appointment of a ‘gatekeeper’ post to manage the overall use of agency staff;

ii.      agreed that the report on staff on temporary contracts would in future include details of the progress which had been made since the previous report;

iii.     agreed that the report on agency staff would in future be presented in a similar format as that on staff on temporary contracts; and

iv.    noted that the protocol requiring permanent posts to be trawled internally, which prevented agency assignees from applying initially, would end on 31st March, 2022.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 20th November, 2020, it had agreed to review the current tri-partite leisure model and the operation of the Active Belfast Limited Board, including its membership and governance arrangements. The Committee had subsequently approved the Terms of Reference and a consultancy firm had been appointed to undertake the review.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services reported that the review had entailed an extensive desktop exercise and a programme of stakeholder consultations and had been followed by a draft report setting out the key findings, proposals and recommendations. In terms of recommendations, the following three options had been presented for consideration, with Option 3 being preferred, based on an assessment of the findings within the report:

·        Option 1 - Do nothing

·        Option 2 - Bring Contract Compliance and Performance                             Monitoring of GLL back into the Council and retain                                                             Active Belfast Limited in a different form to focus on                                                its broader objectives

·        Option 3 -    Bring Contract Compliance and Performance               Monitoring of GLL back into the Council and                                                             commence the winding up of Active Belfast                                                  Limited.

She pointed out that, should the Committee agree to adopt Option 3, officers would begin the process of transferring contract compliance and performance monitoring to the City and Neighbourhood Services Department and would liaise with the Active Belfast Limited Board to pursue a voluntary and solvent winding up of the company. Legal amendments would also be required to be made to the existing tri-partite arrangements and contractual documentation.

The Committee agreed to proceed with Option 3.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 19th March 2021, it had agreed a budget of £500K for Phase 5 of the Council’s alleygating scheme, with the funding to be divided equally between North, South, East and West. The Committee subsequently agreed a framework to be used to identify potential locations.

The Committee was reminded further that, at its meeting on 18th February, it had been requested to approve a ‘long list’ for each of the four quadrants of the City, based upon the agreed framework, for referral to relevant Area Working Group for prioritisation.

The Committee had, in light of omissions which had been highlighted by Members, agreed to defer the matter to allow for a full list of location requests to be circulated and a comprehensive list of potential locations to be drafted.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services reported that that work had now been completed and drew the Committee’s attention to Appendices 1 to 4 of the report, which had been generated from Members’ returns for each of the four areas of the City and been assessed using the agreed framework. The ‘long lists’ set out in Appendices 5 – 8 of the report provided details of the 456 streets, divided also into four areas, for which requests for alleygates had been received. 

Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee:

                             i          approve the list of potential alleygate locations for North, South, East and West Belfast, as set out in Appendices 1 – 4;

                            ii          agree to refer the lists to the relevant Area Working Group for prioritisation, based on the available budget of £125,000 for each quadrant of the City; and

                           iii          note that the Department for Communities had offered an additional £100k for an environmental improvement scheme, ringfenced for the Holylands area, with the South Belfast Area Working Group to be updated on the progress of this proposal.

After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor McDonough-Brown,

Seconded by Councillor McReynolds and

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees instead that the long lists set out within Appendices 5 – 8 be approved and that they be referred to the relevant Area Working Group for prioritisation.

            The Committee agreed also to note the offer of funding from the Department for Communities. 

The Director of City and Organisational Strategy submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing information on the UK Government’s Levelling Up Agenda and its plans in relation to the Shared Prosperity Fund, which had been established to replace European Union funding.

After discussion, the Committee agreed:

                             i          to note the update in relation to the Levelling Up and Shared Prosperity Funds;

                            ii          to note that officers would submit to a future meeting a list of suitable projects which were aligned to corporate priorities and the Belfast Agenda for consideration under Round 2 Levelling Up; once the themes had been announced;

                           iii          that officers would develop a preferred corporate approach to Levelling-Up and Shared Prosperity Funds and other key funding streams such as Peace Plus, Complementary Fund, Shared Island, that will be presented to members at a future Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting;

                          iv          that the Council would write to the local Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities team to raise concerns around the timeliness of information being provided on the Levelling Up fund;

                            v          to note the resource and governance arrangements required to corporately co-ordinate the bid development process for future Levelling Up and Shared Prosperity Fund projects, in addition to other funding avenues such as Peace Plus, the High Street Task Force and Shared Island funding; and

                          vi          that officers would develop a mechanism by which requests from local organisations for letters of support for funding applications are assessed to determine if they supported existing corporate priorities.

City Hall Statues – Winifred Carney and Mary Ann McCracken

·        The Committee agreed that both projects be moved to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme and that the necessary procurement processes be initiated, as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

IT Programme – In Cab Technology and Routing System

·        The Committee agreed that this project be moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted under the IT Programme to enable an Outline Business Case to be developed.

DfI Green and Blue Infrastructure Fund and Active Travel Projects

·        The Committee granted approval for the Council to act as the delivery agent for a range of projects proposed under the DfI Green and Blue Infrastructure Fund and Active Travel funding and agreed that any necessary procurement processes for these projects be initiated, as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

Peace IV – Forth Meadow Community Greenway

·        The Committee noted the potential negative impact of any delay on this project.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 19th May, 2017, it had approved a new operating model for the Council and had noted that further engagement and alignment had been required for some functions.

Following on from this, the management function and associated budgets for Belfast Castle, Belfast Zoo and Malone House would, from 1st April, 2022, transfer from the City and Neighbourhood Services Department to the Place and Economy Department.

The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

The Committee acceded to a request from the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association to use Woodvale Park as an assembly point for its annual Easter Monday parade on 18th April and delegated authority to the Directors of City Services/Neighbourhood Services to:

·        negotiate satisfactory terms and conditions of use via an appropriate legal agreement, to be prepared by the Council’s Legal Services section, including managing final booking confirmation dates and flexibility around ‘set up’ and take down’ periods, and booking amendments, subject to:

(a)   the organiser resolving any operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

(b)   compliance with any Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time of the event; and

(c)   the organiser meeting all statutory Planning and Building Control requirements, including the terms and conditions of the Park’s Entertainments Licence.

(Mr. D. Bone, City Services Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 20th August, 2021, it had been informed that the agency arrangement with the Department for Infrastructure for the provision of off-street parking enforcement services had been due to expire on 31st October, 2022.

The Committee had agreed, in line with the views which had been expressed at a meeting of SOLACE, that the eight participating councils should tender for enforcement services on the open market, through a joint tendering procurement exercise, rather than renew the service agreement with the Department for Infrastructure. That process would be led by Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The City Services Manager reported that delays in the process required to terminate the existing contract and to put in place appropriate arrangements for a new service provider had meant that a temporary extension was required to ensure that off-street enforcement services could continue. The Regional Off-Street Parking Group, at a recent meeting, had suggested that an extension until 31st October, 2023 would allow sufficient time to procure a new service provider and ensure a smooth transition from the Department for Infrastructure.

Accordingly, the Committee agreed to support the request for the Department for Infrastructure to extend the current arrangement for off-street enforcement services until 31st October, 2023. 

(Mr. K. Sutherland, Planning Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered a report providing details of the Planning Appeals Commission’s report on the independent examination of the Belfast Local Development Plan draft Plan Strategy, the subsequent formal Direction from the Department for Infrastructure requiring the Council to adopt the draft Plan Strategy development plan document and, finally, setting out the potential process for the Council to formally adopt what would be the first draft Plan Strategy to be brought forward under the new system.

            After discussion, the Committee:

                           i.          noted the contents of the report, including the Planning Appeals Commission’s assertion that the draft Plan Strategy could, with modifications, be considered as “Sound”;

                          ii.          noted the Department for Infrastructure’s Statutory Direction document, the Planning Appeals Commission’s report on the Independent Examination of the draft Plan Strategy, the required amendments and outline work programme, as set out in the appendices 1, 2, 3 and 5; and

                         iii.          endorsed the proposed response to the requirement for a new strategic policy and modifications to draft Policy HOU1, as set out in paragraphs 3.7 to 3.11 of the report and in Appendix 4.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th June, 2021, it had approved the draft Social Value Procurement Policy.

The Chief Executive reported that a twelve-week public consultation exercise had commenced on 21st September, which had provided stakeholders with an opportunity to comment upon the key aspect of the draft policy. The Social Policy Working Group had reviewed the findings of the public consultation and had made a number of amendments to the policy. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the revised draft Social Value Procurement Policy for implementation on 1st June, 2022.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation and noted that the policy would be reviewed by the Social Policy Working Group and the Committee on an annual basis. 

            (Ms. C. Sheridan, Head of Human Resources, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 22nd October, it had agreed that the role of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Resources be altered as part of a structural review and had granted approval for the current postholder to retire no later than 31st October, 2022.

            The Head of Human Resources reviewed the proposed timeline for the recruitment process, following which the Committee:

                                      i.          approved the recruitment of the post of Director of Finance and Resources on a permanent basis; and

                                    ii.          agreed that the selection panel should consist of:

a.       the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee (or their nominees) and Councillor Bunting; and

b.       the Chief Executive (or his nominee) and a Director.

The Chief Executive informed the Members that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 22nd February, had referred the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Ferguson and seconded by Councillor Matt Collins, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration:

“This Council notes with concern that the Belfast Citywide Tribunal service once again faces a lack of funding, putting staff jobs and a vital service at risk.

Additionally, the Council is deeply disappointed that the Department for Communities has failed to provide core funding for this service, despite the impact this will have on workers and working-class communities in particular.

Given the vast amount of successful tribunal appeals, the Council recognises that there is an onus on the Executive to fund a tribunal service which is capable of addressing the flawed welfare system.

However, given that core funding is not forthcoming and the upcoming election leaves uncertainty about future funding, the Council agrees that measures should be taken to ensure the service can stay open for the next year.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to fund the Tribunal services an amount of £342,278, from its reserves if necessary, to maintain the service and stave off redundancies.”

            The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Resources reported that the People and Communities Committee, at its meeting on 8th March, had agreed:

                             i          to allocate £90,000 from existing 2022/23 budgets to the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service; and

                            ii          that an allocation of £70,400, which the Department for Communities had indicated that it would, in line with 2021/21, be making available for welfare mitigation – tribunal representation during 2022/23, be ringfenced for use by the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service, subject to the receipt of formal confirmation.

            In terms of addressing the shortfall of £181,878, he pointed out that due diligence work on the Tribunal Service’s business plan was continuing and that the Department for Communities was due to hold in the near future a business planning event around the future funding of advice services.

            The Committee agreed that a report be submitted to its next meeting on the outcome of the due diligence process and the Department for Communities’ business planning event.

            The Chief Executive reminded the Committee the Department for Communities was responsible for determining the maximum hourly rate of Dependant’s Carers’ Allowance for both standard care and specialised care. The rate for standard care was based on the hourly National Living Wage for a person aged 25 years and over and would increase on 1st April, 2022 from £8.91 to £9.50 per hour. The rate for specialised care was double that for standard care. The Department also set the maximum monthly amounts for standard care and specialised care, which was capped at the equivalent of 52 hours per month.

            Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the following amendments to the Scheme of Allowances, in line with the increase in the National Living Wage and with effect from 1st April, 2022:

“(iv) Dependants’ Carers’ Allowance

Standard Care              £9.50 per hour - limited to £494.00 per month

            Specialist Care           £19.00 per hour - limited to £988.00 per month”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

The Committee noted the contents of a report providing details of the selection process which had resulted in the appointment of Mr. John Walsh, City Solicitor and Director of Legal Services, to the post of Chief Executive, with effect from 21st March, and congratulated him on his success. 

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To update the Committee on the key findings from the Belfast Residents’ Survey and to outline how the data will be used and reported.  

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to note the report.

3.0       Key Issues

            Background

3.1       Every two years, the Council commissions consultants to carry out an independent survey of residents.  The survey provides statistically reliable, perception data based on a representative sample of Belfast residents (aged 16 and over) and is used to inform strategic planning and performance management at the city (Belfast Agenda) and organisational level.  Normally conducted face-to-face, this year’s survey was carried out by telephone due to Covid restrictions.  Following a quotation exercise, we appointed Social Market Research (SMR) to carry out the survey on our behalf. They interviewed 1504 people between 15th November and 12th December, with quotas applied to ensure those completing the survey were representative of the population of Belfast (by age, gender, social class and geographical area).

            Trend Data

3.2       On the whole, the results for 2021 are positive.  In 2019, satisfaction with the Council and life in Belfast dipped, a trend replicated across the rest of the UK.  This year, our results have improved on 2019 and are now generally on a par, and in some places better than the 2017 results.  For most of the Council indicators, we have reversed the downward trend in satisfaction and approval ratings, whereas this has continued in English council areas (as per the LGA benchmark). 

3.3       The Committee is asked to note that overall satisfaction with Belfast and local area remains lower than in 2017 (85% now compared to 91% in 2017), though still higher when compared to other local authorities.  Some data has fallen, such as views on whether all people can lead healthy lives or live life to the full, whether they feel listened to and whether they feel safe in the city centre at night.  This data will be used to inform improvement activities of council and the Belfast Agenda.

            Key Results

3.4       Overall satisfaction with Belfast and local area:

·        85% of those surveyed were satisfied with Belfast as a place to live

·        85% of those surveyed were satisfied with their local area as a place to live

3.5       When asked about Living in Belfast, more than three quarters of those surveyed agreed that:

·        Belfast was a good place to visit - 90%

·        People are friendly, caring and compassionate - 88%

·        Belfast had good infrastructure (83%) and was easy to get about (85%)

·        The city centre was vibrant and attractive, with lots going on - 80%

·        Belfast is a welcoming safe, fair and inclusive city for all - 79%

·        Older people are treated with respect and dignity -76%

·        People can live life to the full - 75%

3.6       However, respondents were less likely to agree that Belfast:

·        Is an environmentally friendly city - 73%

·        Where everyone benefits from a thriving and prosperous city -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

The Director of City and Organisation Strategy informed the Committee that the Strategic Investment Board had, in January, published on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive a consultation document entitled ‘Infrastructure 2050 – Draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.’

The draft Strategy set out how the Northern Ireland Executive’s stated vision for infrastructure would be achieved and had identified the following five key strategic objectives, needs and priorities for its investment in infrastructure over the coming decades:

·        to decarbonise the economy and society;

·        to strengthen and protect essential services;

·        to build a strong, connected and competitive region;

·        to enhance communities and places; and

·        to maximise the benefits from new technology and innovation.

He reviewed the key elements of the draft Council response to the consultation and recommended that it be forwarded to the Strategic Investment Board by the deadline date of 20th April.

The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1             The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the progress of the Belfast Agenda Review, including the action planning phase and to seek approval of the minutes of the All-Party Working Group on Community Planning of 23rd February.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                           i          note the progress of the development of the refreshed Belfast Agenda Strategy document and supporting four-year Delivery Action Plans as set out in this report;

                                          ii          endorse the emerging strategic intents and measures of success (stretch goals), as set out in Appendix 1;

                                         iii          note the proposed next steps and timeline, as set out in Appendix 1;

                                         iv          note the plans for continued Member engagement, as detailed in section 3.5 below; and

                                          v          approve the minutes of the meeting of the All-Party Working Group on Community Planning of 23rd February.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       In November 2021, Members received an update on the emerging findings and recommendations following the initial

            phase of Belfast Agenda: Continuing the Conversation engagement to inform the refreshed Belfast Agenda (BA) for the period 2022-2026.  As reported at the November meeting, there was broad agreement that the existing long-term vision and outcomes of the BA remain relevant, and the proposed priorities for focus were the things that stakeholders and communities believed community planning could help address over the next 4-year period. There had been feedback in relation to how some of the priorities had been framed and the need for them to be easily understood. As a result, some minor changes had been made to the framing of the priority areas such as, changing ‘economic recovery’ to ‘Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth’.

3.2       Bringing Focus and Commitment to Delivery

            Building on the recommendations and consensus reached through Phase I, the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) and council has committed to co-design specific and measurable actions plan(s) which would underpin the priority areas of focus.  Subsequently, a small group of core partners (cross-sectoral) has been brought together to help further develop the approach to co-designing each of the priority areas and cross-cutting themes. Each task and finish group were responsible for analysing the range of outputs from phase 1 of the ‘Belfast Agenda: Continuing the Conversation’ engagement process; assessing relevant strategies, plans and local intelligence (including information received through the call for evidence); feedback from the community and Belfast Agenda Board engagement workshops; online and paper-based survey results; and the current delivery plans of existing Belfast Agenda Boards.

            Based on this initial analysis, partners prepared a strategic framework to help bring focus and shape the co-designed action plans consisting of:

1.      What we are trying to achieve over the next 4 years (strategic intent);

2.      How will we measure success (stretch goals); and

3.      How will we realise such success (SMART Action Plan(s).

Figure 1 below illustrates this framework and how a structured and informed approach is being implemented with partners to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5d

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To update the Committee on the initial engagement sessions carried out by with the Poverty Truth Network to explore the potential to establish a Belfast Poverty Commission to support the Council’s work on Inclusive Growth and Anti-Poverty and to consider next steps.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                       iagree that officers continue to engage with partners and those engaged in poverty-related initiatives in Belfast to identify how a Poverty Commission could be adapted to work in Belfast and secure buy-in to that approach; and

                                     iiagree to the inclusion of a Belfast Poverty Commission as an identified workstream in the Belfast Agenda to aim to address poverty and tackle inequalities.  This approach would require CPP agreement to collectively meet the resourcing requirements for a poverty commission.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Key Issues

            The Poverty Truth Network helps cities to determine whether a Poverty Truth Commission would be right for their local area. Poverty Truth Network accompany cities at every stage of their journey from asking ‘whether a Poverty Truth Commission could happen here’ through to the establishment of a commission.  The Poverty Truth Network is a registered charity that supports Poverty Truth Commissions and encourages them to work together.  Further  information is  available at: https://povertytruthnetwork.org/commissions/what-is-a-poverty-truth-commission/

3.2       Following the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting in December 2021, four initial engagement sessions were organised for the Poverty Truth Network to engage with key stakeholders in January and March 2022. Stakeholders included Members, community planning partners and the VCSE Panel as well as government departments (Department for Communities and the Executive Office). The purpose of these sessions was to:

-       hear the experience from the Poverty Truth Network about what a Poverty Truth Commission is.

-       consider if this is an approach that could be adapted for Belfast

-       consider whether the timing is right for it and who would need to own/drive it

            A separate session was also hosted by NICVA.

3.3       The Committee will recall that a phased approach is supported by the Poverty Truth Network:

-       Establishment of a start-up group - to host, develop and facilitate the establishment of the Commission.

-       Recruitment of commissioners – those with lived experience of poverty (15 people), and civic/business commissioners, including the VCSE sector (15 people).  These 30 individuals should reflect the demographic make-up of Belfast.

-       Commission implementation – full commission conversations and issue groups formed.

-       Closing event for the Commission – to communicate the findings and commit to plans to embed changes. 

-       The City may decide to run another Commission in subsequent years, for example, Leeds is now running its third Commission.

3.4       The Belfast Poverty Commission, if established, would be responsible for setting their agenda and their own work. The approach is a 2–3-year commitment, focusing on creating a cultural shift at the level of the individuals and organisations participating as well as at a policy and societal/city level,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5e

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with an update on the development of the PEACE PLUS programme and on emerging work being undertaken as part of the first investment area that will open 1.1. Co-Designed Local Community Peace Action plan for Belfast. 

1.2       Approval is also being sought for officers to proceed with the development of a new PEACEPLUS Partnership for Belfast that will oversee the development of the local action plan via SP&R committee and will build on learning from PEACE IV and the governance arrangements through the Shared City Partnership (SCP).

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                            i          note the report; and

                                          ii          approve the proposed approach for the development a PEACEPLUS partnership for Belfast.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Background

            The EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation is a unique Structural Funds programme aimed at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. Currently, through its Managing Authority, the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the European Commission is developing a €1billion PEACE PLUS programme.

            The overall objective of the PEACE PLUS Programme is to build Peace and Prosperity and ensure that this Programme will leave a lasting and tangible legacy across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The Programme’s strategy is to continue to take the opportunities and address the needs arising from the peace process in order to boost economic

            growth and stimulate social and economic regeneration and secondly, to promote social inclusion, particularly for those at the margins of economic and social life.

            SEUPB is currently seeking approval from the European Commission for the development of the PEACE PLUS Programme and have submitted a finance agreement to the European Commission as part of the process to receive final approval for the overall programme. The Programme in its totality comprises of six themes, which encompass 22 individual investment areas for possible submissions for investment.

            An infographic illustrating the main themes of the PEACE PLUS Programme is shown in appendix 1.  Further information on the PEACE PLUS Programme including consultation responses is available at:

            https://www.seupb.eu/PEACEPLUS

            The potential for investment within Belfast is significant, due to the scale of the overall programme Senior officers are currently scoping the overall programme to assess where we should consider making submissions across the 22 investment areas. It is likely that some of the investment areas may open in 2022, with others to follow in 2023, not all of them will be suitable for Councils to make submissions, but an initial scope has identified a number of areas where we may lead on delivery. 

            A corporate approach is required to provide cross Council oversight for delivery of potential investment opportunities for the Council from across PEACEPLUS.  A more detailed report will be brought back to members to consider the areas of work in addition to the Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5f

            The Director of Organisational Strategy informed the Committee that, in addition to the global negotiations at last year’s COP26 conference in Glasgow, a number of city-to-city events had taken place, to emphasise the need for increased collaboration around topics such as climate finance, energy and achieving a just transition.

            The Lord Mayor, Councillor Nicholl, had played a key role in many of these events and there had been follow up discussions with a number of cities, including Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and Dublin, to explore opportunities to work together on common causes.

            He confirmed that a delegation including the Mayors of Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region and Dublin would meet in Belfast on 30th March to view the good work being undertaken in Belfast around the use of hydrogen. The itinerary would include a visit to a school, engagement with local businesses and a workshop, at which officers from each city would discuss their programme of work and opportunities for collaboration.

            It was proposed that the following Statement of Intent be agreed and publicised on the day of the visit:

“Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, with a collective population of over five million, will come together to form a co-operative partnership to develop practical approaches to accelerate the delivery of net-zero commitments in our cities and city regions.

Climate change is the greatest challenge facing our nations and our planet. That is why we have developed ambitious climate agendas to become more equitable, fairer, prosperous and greener cities. Each of us is committed to the protection of our economies and our people and we are firmly of the view that working together will give us the best chance of realising the benefits of transitioning to a low carbon economy.

To achieve these goals, we are committed to:

·        sharing best practices, knowledge and experience;

·        connecting organisations and facilitating research and development, business and investment collaborations; and

·        co-ordinating joint participation at events (including the Net Zero Summit in June, 2022) and hosting, where necessary, incoming delegations.”

            The Committee approved the Statement of Intent.

The Chief Executive submitted for the Committee’s approval the draft Corporate Delivery Plan for 2022/23. The Plan reflected the in-year deliverables against the priorities which had been agreed as part of the four-year Corporate Plan, as well as some additional priorities which had arisen in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and had been structured around the following themes:

·        Our Services

·        Economic Recovery

·        Community Recovery

·        Environmental Recovery

·        Strategic Planning Frameworks and

·        Organisational Foundations

He confirmed that a series of priorities had been identified for each theme, with each of those having a number of committed deliverables for 2022/23, and pointed out that, in addition to being provided with in-year reports on a number of priorities, the Committee would receive a six-monthly progress report against all commitments and a year-end report.

After discussion, the Committee approved the draft Corporate Annual Delivery Plan for 2022/23.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To update the Committee on the emerging plans to implement the local response to the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which allows UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war.

2.0      Recommendations

2.1      The Committee is asked to note:

·        the work that is ongoing with The Executive Office, DfC, NIHE and across Local Government to plan for local responses to the Ukrainian Refugee Scheme, which was launched on 14th March; and

·        that this work is progressing at pace, and it may be necessary for the Chief Executive to quickly assign

Council resources to the emerging scheme using his delegated authority.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       On 14th March, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove launched the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which allows UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war. 

3.2The Homes for Ukraine scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety, including those with no family ties to the UK.   Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.   The scheme uses a webpage for sponsors to record their interest, with the scheme opening for applications on 18th March.

3.3The scheme will operate in Northern Ireland and The Executive Office (TEO) plans to strongly encourage expressions of interest in the provision of accommodation from both individuals and organisations.  Whilst not all the details have yet been announced by Westminster, TEO is working at pace, making preparations so they can provide sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees.

3.4Mindful of the pressure on social housing stock, TEO officials are engaging with councils and the voluntary and community sector to find creative ways of bringing suitable accommodation into use and identifying all available capacity. TEO is also in close contact with the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing and with colleagues in other jurisdictions.

      Indicative areas of Focus for Local Government

3.5TEO has stated that partnership working will be central to making the best of this scheme and to maximise the positive impact for refugees more generally. TEO has met with SOLACE and NILGA to identify how a co-design approach might be taken.

3.6The indicative workstreams that will involve Local Government are likely to include: 

·        Possible design and delivery of Welcome Centres in their local areas, in partnership with public sector organisations and community and voluntary sector. This will include orientation centres, as well as centres with accommodation for short stays.  NIHE is also looking at the option of a single regional Welcome Centre.

·        Provision of local knowledge and information to inform the capacity exercise being led by NI Housing Executive as well as on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5i

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To seek Committee approval of a Statement of Intent to support ongoing collaboration with the city of Sejong (South Korea).  A pre-recording of the signing of the Statement by the Chief Executive will feature as part of a virtual International Showcase Day with Sejong on 30th March, which will mark the culmination of this last phase of the project.  

1.1             To provide an update on the virtual international Showcase Day on March 30th and planned agenda.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                         i          approve the Statement of Intent - which has been developed with support from key institutions across the city - to progress opportunities for collaboration with the city of Sejong in South Korea; and

                                        ii           note the arrangements for a joint city to city virtual international showcase day on March 30th, which will feature a pre-recording of the signing of the Statement of Intent by the Chief Executive.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       At the Committee meeting in November 2021, Members were presented with details of the Council’s participation in the ‘UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins’ programme¹ which was

            set up by the Connected Places Catapult and funded by BEIS and UKRI.  

3.2       The programme aims to build relationships between smart cities with high potential for accelerating long term R  and I collaborations and generating opportunities for trade and FDI. Committee has also received regular updates on the programme and has been made aware of the development of a Statement of Intent to support ongoing collaboration and this is now being submitted for approval. 

3.3       While not legally binding, the Statement sets out areas of shared interest which will form the basis for ongoing cooperation between Sejong and Belfast.  These include smart cities, medtech, cyber security, fintech, academic, educational and cultural cooperation, economic development and opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.   

3.4       The Statement of Intent has been developed in conjunction with our colleagues in the city of Sejong in South Korea and with support from Invest NI who are in the process of developing a presence there. It will facilitate opportunities for mutual benefit between both cities and make it possible to unlock further funding from BEIS post March, 2022.

3.5       It has also been discussed with Colin Crooks, the newly appointed UK Ambassador to South Korea.  Following a meeting led by the City Innovation team with representatives from Queens University, Ulster University, Health Innovation Research Alliance and QUBIS, Ambassador Crooks has taken the opportunity to table areas of interest detailed in the Statement with the Mayor of Sejong to promote future collaboration.

3.6       With Committee approval, a pre-recording of the signing of the Statement of Intent by the Chief Executive will be shown on March 30th,at a virtual international Showcase Day (organised and funded by Connected Places Catapult) to mark the culmination of the UK innovation twins programme. 

3.7       Ian Greer, Vice-chancellor of Queens University  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5j

            (Mr. J. Greer, Director of Economic Development, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director of Economic Development reminded the Committee that Belfast had, in August 2021, hosted the UEFA Super Cup final in the National Stadium.  The Council had allocated £200,000 to the event, which had been used primarily for city animation, fan mobility and fan experience, a formal dinner in the City Hall and other City logistics.

            He reviewed the overall impact of the event and confirmed that the Council had now received from the Irish Football Association a request to support its bid for the UEFA Conference League Final in 2023. This competition was now in its second year and infrastructure and expectations for the event would be similar to that of the UEFA Super Cup Final. The timelines for UEFA’s evaluation phase was as follows:

·        February/March, 2022 - Potential site visits by UEFA

·        April 2022 - Evaluation completed

·        May 2022 - Appointment of the Host Association by UEFA’s Executive Committee

He reported that the Lord Mayor had, at the request of the Irish Football Association, issued on behalf of the Council a letter of support prior to the deadline for bids expiring in February. The letter did not commit the Council to any financial outlay. UEFA had since requested the Council to sign a ‘Host City Authority Undertaking’ letter to further confirm its support for the Irish Football Association’s bid. That letter had set out a number of obligations which the host City would have to meet in order to host the event. It had been reviewed by the Legal Services section, which had advised that Committee approval would be required prior to the Council agreeing to the terms of the document.

The Director pointed out that, should the bid be successful, it was anticipated that the Council would again be requested to provide funding for the event, with the amount potentially being similar to that which had been allocated to the UEFA Super Cup final, given that the events were similar in profile. He drew the Committee’s attention to a number of significant major events which were due to take place in 2023 and confirmed that no financial provision had been made in the medium term for the UEFA Conference League Final.

After discussion, the Committee agreed:

                                     i.          to note the details of the imminent bid by the Irish Football Association to host the UEFA Conference League Final 2023;

                                    ii.          that the Council would support the bid by the Irish Football Association;

                                   iii.          to note that, should the bid be successful:

a.     it would potentially lead to a future request for financial support, which had not been factored into medium-term financial planning; and

b.     a report would be presented to the Committee outlining the resource implications for the Council and providing details of funding from other sources; and

                                  iv.          authorised officers to engage with the Irish Football Association in the development process.

The Director of Physical Programmes submitted for Committee’s consideration a report seeking approval in relation to the following asset related disposal, acquisition and estate matters:

Suffolk Playing Fields - Grant of Cable Easement

and Right of Way to NIE Networks Ltd.

·        The Committee approved the surrender of two cable easements and the grant of a new cable easement and right of way to NIE Networks Ltd.

2 Royal Avenue – Licence for Hoarding

·        The Committee approved a licence agreement with Bennett (Construction) Ltd. to formalise the arrangement for the hoarding around the Primark building, which encroaches onto Council land at 2 Royal Avenue.

Hit the North Arts Festival 2022

·        The Committee noted the inclusion of ‘Site 10’ in the City centre as part of the Hit the North Festival on 1st May, 2022.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of:

·        the North Belfast Area Working Group of 23rd February, subject to the inclusion of a declaration of interest which had been made at the meeting by Councillor Pankhurst to reflect that he was on the Board of the Cultural Community Hub, which had been allocated funding under the Belfast Investment Fund;

·        the West Belfast Area Working Group of 24th February;

·        the South Belfast Area Working Group of 28th February; and

·        the East Belfast Area Working Group of 3rd March.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the following requests for funding, which fell under the Council’s discretionary expenditure policy:

Glór na Móna

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Resources informed the Committee that a request had been received from Glór na Móna for funding of £86,000 to cover the 2022/23 financial year. The request had followed a decision by the Education Authority not to allocate a budget for that period and, if approved, would secure five youth worker posts and the continuation of Irish medium youth services in the Upper Springfield area.

In response to issues which had been raised by some Members around the request, he confirmed that, if the Committee was to agree to provide the £86,000, it would be paid in four equal tranches. Should the ongoing discussions between Glór na Móna and the Education Authority lead to funding being reinstated, the Council would seek to recoup funding which it had provided during any period of overlap.

On that basis, the Committee agreed to allocate £86,000 to Glór na Móna and granted approval for Elected Members to engage with Glór na Móna and the Education Authority, if required.

Malone Tornadoes Rugby Football Club

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Resources reported that Malone Tornadoes Rugby Football Club had requested that the Council provide £10,000 towards the estimated overall cost of between £30,000 and £35,000 required to secure the club’s participation in the third International Mixed Ability World Cup Rugby Tournament being held in Cork between 5th and 10th June, 2022.

The Committee agreed to allocate £10,000 to the Club.

The Committee:

·        approved the public advertisement of tenders, as per Standing Order 37a, as detailed in Table 1 below;

·        approved the award of Single Tender Actions, in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions, as detailed in Table 2 below;

·        approved the modification of the contract, as per Standing Order 37a, as detailed in Table 3 below; and

·        noted the award of retrospective Single Tender Actions, in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions, as detailed in Table 3 below.

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Resources submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       The Local Government Finance Act (NI) 2011 and the supporting Prudential and Treasury Codes produced by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), require the Council to consider the affordability and sustainability of capital expenditure decisions through the reporting of prudential and treasury management indicators.

1.2       The Prudential Code requires the Council to produce a Capital Strategy for 2022/23. This report provides information for the Committee on the Capital Strategy, incorporating the prudential indicators for Belfast City Council for the period 2022/23 to 2024/25, and the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2022/23.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                            i     note the contents of this report and the prudential and treasury management indicators included within the appendices;

            and agree:

                                          ii     the Authorised Borrowing Limit for the Council of £147m for 2022/23; and

                                         iii     the Treasury Management Strategy for 2022/23, which has been included as Appendix 2 to this report.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Local Government Finance Act (NI) 2011 requires the Council to adopt the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.  In doing so, the Council is required to agree a minimum revenue provision policy annually and to set and monitor a series of Prudential Indicators, the key objectives of which are to ensure that, within a clear framework, the capital investment plans of the council are affordable, prudent and sustainable.

3.2       At the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on the 9 December 2011, Members approved the Council’s Treasury Management Policy which is based on the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.  The Treasury Management Policy requires that a Treasury Management Strategy be presented to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on an annual basis and that it is supported by a mid-year and year end treasury management reports.

3.3       The Capital Strategy, incorporating the prudential indicators, is included as Appendix 1, while the Treasury Management Strategy and treasury management indicators have been included as Appendix 2.

3.4       The comparison of ‘Gross Borrowing’ to ‘Capital Financing Requirement (CFR)’ is the main indicator of prudence when considering the proposed capital investment plans of the Council.  Estimated gross borrowing should not exceed the CFR for the current year plus two years.  The Council’s estimated gross borrowing position, illustrated in Table 6, Appendix 1, is comfortably within the CFR in the medium term.  The Director of Finance and Resources therefore considers the estimated levels of gross borrowing as being prudent.

3.5       Table 10 (Appendix 1) shows the estimated financing costs for capital expenditure as a percentage of the estimated net revenue stream for the Council, based on the medium financial plan.  These illustrate that in the medium term, capital financing costs will represent 8.7% of the Council’s net running costs.  On this basis the Director of Finance and Resources is satisfied that the level of capital expenditure is affordable.

3.6       The Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7c

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Shared City Partnership of 7th March, including the recommendations:

PEACE IV

            Secretariat

·        to delegate authority to the Director of Neighbourhood Services, as the SRO for PEACE IV, and to the Good Relations Manager to agree the business case/mitigations required for submission to the SEUPB, with a further report to be submitted to the Partnership meeting in April 2022.

Children and Young People

      CYP3 On the Right Track

·        to agree, in principle, a contract uplift of up to 10% of the contract value, estimated at £20,000, subject to confirmation of costs, availability of funding and SEUPB approval.

Shared Spaces and Services

·        to accept the recommendations, possible actions and links to existing supported project work contained within the MDL Dialogue and Engagement Project Report.

Building Positive Relations

      BPR5 – Roma Project

·        to extend project delivery until September 2022, as within the current contract specifications for the Roma project and the Council’s Letter of Offer.

      BPR6 - St. Comgall’s

·        to agree, in principle, the methodology for content gathering, the style and layout of the templates for the educational resources and exhibition materials; and

·        to delegate authority to the Programme Board to agree the content of the final resource for a full suite of the educational resources and exhibition materials, which will also be subject to SEUPB approval.

GOOD RELATIONS

Belfast Agenda Refresh and Action Planning

·        to note that a supporting action plan would be co-designed with the Shared City Partnership and partners and brought back for consideration in due course.

Update on Research on the Experiences of

BAME and Traveller Communities

·        to agree that the Council uses the underspend of £6,000 identified in the District Council Good Relations programme to widen the participation of peer researchers from BAME communities in the research and to provide a programme of skills development to enhance their capacity.

Anti-Sectarianism and Good Relations

·        to receive at a future meeting of the Partnership a presentation from the Executive Office on its current mapping exercise regarding support for good relations at a future meeting

Presentation from the Belfast Heath and Social Care Trust

·        to receive at a future meeting of the Partnership a presentation from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust on the development of its Good Relations Strategy.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report providing a summary of equality screenings and rural needs impact assessments for the period from October to December, 2021.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th February, it had agreed to adopt a motion in relation to the forthcoming 50th Anniversary of ‘Bloody Friday’. The Committee had agreed also that Party Leaders would discuss the potential for holding a separate day of reflection to remember all of the victims of the Troubles in Belfast.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services informed the Committee that the Party Leaders had subsequently agreed that the Council should host an annual day of reflection, with the preferred date being 21st June. That would allow it to link into a wider day of reflection which was organised each year by the Healing Through Remembering organisation. It was proposed that a space be set aside within the City Hall for quiet reflection and that the overall format should include poetry, music and some form of physical animation. 

She went on to recommend that the City Hall be illuminated in yellow on 21st June each year, as that was the colour used to mark the wider day of reflection.

After discussion, the Committee granted approval for the Council to hold a Day of Reflection on 21st June each year and for the City Hall to be illuminated in yellow on each occasion.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with an update on the funding programme for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to note the report.

3.0       Main Report

3.1Background

      Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will take place from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June, inclusive.

      At the meeting on 18th February, the Committee agreed to allocate funding of £100,000 for events to take place in local communities across the city over the Platinum Jubilee weekend. The Committee also agreed to engage the services of the Community Foundation Northern Ireland (CFNI) to administer the fund, which will allocate a maximum of £2,000 for any group / event to take place.

      Officers have been engaging with the Community Foundation over the past few weeks to finalise the details of the programme to make sure the funding process is straightforward and open to as many groups as possible.  Members have also been providing feedback on a number of important points such as non-constituted groups being able to access the funding. 

      The programme is now live, with groups able to apply online and attend information sessions to find out more about how to apply, please see the following link for further details https://communityfoundationni.org/grants/her-majesty-the-queens-platinum-jubilee-fund-for-belfast/.  The following provides an overview of how the programme will be delivered:

3.2Application Timeline:

3.3       Community Engagement

      The fund has been advertised via Social media channels and has been published on the Council’s and CFNI websites.  Any groups who require further information on how to apply can call the CFNI grants team directly on 028 9024 5927.

3.4Multiple ‘Umbrella’ applications:

      Following discussions with CFNI we have agreed that ‘Umbrella’ organisations can support applications from community groups who do not have a constitution.  However, this will be up to a limit of £6,000 in total applications, with the minimum award per group £500, maximum award per group £2,000. An application for each individual community group must be received.

      The governance arrangements of the CFNI does not directly support the advancement of religion and/or organisations whose purposes include the advancement of religion.  To assist such groups in accessing this funding, organisations with purposes to advance religion, can seek an eligible umbrella organisation who can submit an application for an eligible project on their behalf. Alternatively, they can work with an eligible partner  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8d

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            As requested at the Council meeting on 10th January 2022, this report provides an update on the recovery of the Pest Control Service and on the proposed improvements for a full resumption of services to pre-Covid levels.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        note the progress made to date on the recovery of the pest control service and support the proposed improvements for full resumption of pest control services across the district; and

·        agree that an operational service review be progressed in 2022/23 with the aim of improving the customer experience, streamlining processes and improving effectiveness of service delivery, with a report to come back to the Committee.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members will be aware of the impact that the pandemic had on our pest control service, with several pest control officers furloughed April-August 2020.  During this time, the service continued to deliver the sewer baiting programme across the City and residents were offered advice and information by the Pest Control Manager. The tenants of social housing were advised to contact their housing provider to obtain pest control services.

3.2       The Pest Control service was re-introduced in September 2020, albeit in a limited capacity. Risk assessment were reviewed and various covid control measures to protect our staff implemented, this resulted in a significant reduction in home treatments compared to normal levels that could be carried out.  Visits therefore had to be prioritised and restricted to only the most vulnerable and where significant public health issues were identified. The vast majority of visits carried out were external only, with officers providing advice and information by phone.

3.3       In June 2021, internal treatments resumed for rats and mice only, with the support and guidance of Corporate Health and Safety and the Trade Unions in order to support a phased and manageable return. The safety measures introduced impacted on the number of internal treatments that could be completed in a day thus at that’s time it was agreed to only carryout treatments in the private rented and owner-occupied sector initially. We continued to refer the tenants of social housing to the Housing Executive and Housing Associations where private contractors facilitated the service. When the service resumed, waiting times averaged 3-5 weeks during the period Jun-Oct 2021.

3.4       In September, the Council’s Chief Executive received correspondence from Minister Hargey, Department for Communities raising concerns about its restricted Pest Control services for NI Housing Executive and Housing Associations. Following an update on Pest control services on September 7th to Council members, it was agreed that pest control services would resume to all tenures. It was also requested by members that officers would investigate the establishment of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with both the NIHE and Housing Associations with a view to the Council recouping the costs for these services.

3.5       A meeting was arranged with the NI Housing Executive to explore the option of an SLA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9a

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meetings of the Party Group Leaders’ Consultative Forum of 16th and 21st March.

The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting of the Active Belfast Limited Board of 7th March.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Social Policy Working Group of 28th February.

The Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations made in respect of those applications received up to 11th March, as set out below:

The Committee approved the following requests for the use of the City Hall Grounds and noted that each organiser would be required to submit an event management plan and risk assessment in advance of their event:

·        25th June - 100th Anniversary Celebration of St John’s Cadets

·        16th and 17th July - Belfast One Cinema Screenings; and

·        6th August - The National Youth Junior Choir of Northern IrelandPerformance.

The Committee noted the key issues which had been discussed at the meeting of the Audit and Risk Panel on 8th March and approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the City Hall/City Hall Grounds Installations Working Group of 16th February.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Language Strategy Working Group of 15th March.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Customer Focus Task and Finish Working Group of 10th March.

            The Committee was reminded that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 22nd February, had considered the following motion which had been proposed by Councillor Kyle and seconded by Councillor Lyons:

“This Council commends and recognises the extraordinary efforts of the Samaritans during the period of Covid-19 and beyond.  The ability of the volunteers to react quickly and effectively during the pandemic and to continue to offer support to anyone who needs a listening ear, day or night, 365 days a year, is to be commended. 

The Council also recognises the mental health challenges facing our society and agrees to illuminate the Belfast Castle in green (Samaritan colours) to mark the Longest Night on 21st December, to show people that the Samaritans are always there for them.”

            The Committee had agreed that that element of the motion specifically requesting the illumination of the Belfast Castle on 21st December be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.

            It was pointed out that the proposer had originally requested that the City Hall be illuminated on 21st December.  However, upon being advised that this was not possible due to the Christmas lighting, he had agreed to amend his motion to call for Belfast Castle to be illuminated on that date instead.

            The Committee approved the request to illuminate Belfast Castle in green on the night of 21st December.

At the request of a Member, the Committee agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting providing details of the total earnings lost by those staff who had participated in the previous weeks’ industrial action.