Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported on behalf of the Chairperson (Councillor McDonough-Brown) and Councillor Ferguson.

            The minutes of the meeting of 24th March were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council, at its meeting on 3rd April, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

Alderman Haire declared an interest in relation to agenda item 2i – Request for the use of Barnett Demesne and the Cenotaph, on the basis that he was a Trustee of the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast and left the meeting whilst it was under consideration.

Councillor Beattie declared an interest in relation to agenda item 2g - Community Support Programme, in that the organisation for which he worked was a recipient and left the meeting whilst it was being discussed.

Councillor Bunting declared an interest in relation to agenda item 2e – Summer Community Diversionary Festivals Programme, on the basis that she acted as the secretary to the Belvoir Area Residents’ Group, which had applied for funding through one of the applicants and left the meeting whilst it was being considered.

Councillor Groogan declared an interest in relation to agenda item 2g – Community Support Programme and item 2h – Micro and Medium Grants, in that the organisation for which she worked was a potential beneficiary and left the meeting whilst they were being discussed.

Councillor Thompson declared an interest in relation to agenda item 2h – Micro and Medium Grants 2023/24, on the basis that she was on the Board of the Shankill Women’s Centre and left the meeting for the duration of that item.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following eleven 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 eleven 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 16th December, it had approved the recruitment of the post of Deputy Chief Executive/Strategic Director of Corporate Services on a permanent basis. 

            The Chief Executive provided details of the recruitment and selection process and confirmed that Mrs. Sharon McNicholl had been appointed to the post.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report providing a quarterly update on the progress of the Organisational Reviews and Change Portfolio and indicative timescales.

            The Director of Human Resources submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing an update on the number of employees on temporary contacts and agency assignees engaged by the Council and outlining the steps being taken to reduce the Council’s reliance on these two categories.

            She reported that, at 31st March, 215 staff had been filling posts on a temporary basis, 138 of whom had substantive Council posts to return to when no longer required. The other 77 were Fixed Term Contract employees who did not have a substantive post to return to. 279 agency assignees had been engaged by the Council on that date, with the increase of four on the previous quarter being attributed to the need for additional seasonal cover at Belfast Zoo over the Easter period. She then provided details on the projected cost of using agency assignees for the period from January to March, 2023 and pointed out this did not represent an additional financial burden on the Council, as it was met through vacant posts and underspends.

            She reported further that a Corporate Contract Manager, who been appointed to manage, challenge and control agency usage across all Departments, had been in post since 6th February and was now establishing regular compliance and challenge meetings. In addition, data on agency usage was being assessed, with a view to examining the potential for creating a pool of permanent peripatetic posts to provide greater flexibility in terms of covering, for example, career breaks, long-term sickness, maternity leave and seasonal fluctuations.   

The Director went on to remind the Committee that it had, at its meeting on 21st October, granted approval to engage an external consultant to undertake a feasibility study on the potential for establishing an in-house agency. A procurement exercise was now underway, the outcome of which would be reported to the Committee in due course.

After discussion, during which the Director of Human Resources undertook to circulate to Members a breakdown of the costs associated with using agency assignees, the Committee noted the contents of the report. 

            (Mr. S. Dolan, Senior Development Manager, City Regeneration and Development Unit, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered a report providing an update on the status of the secured financial developer contributions aligned to public realm and pedestrian crossings and adopted the recommendations to:

                           i.       commit secured developer contributions totalling £1,298,000 to progress the Little Patrick Street and Little York Street Public Realm Improvement Works and the upgrade of the Lancaster Street Entrance Gateway;

                         ii.       commit secured developer contributions totalling £615,375 to progress the Blackstaff Square Area Public Realm Improvement Works, in conjunction with the Department for the Communities; and

                        iii.       noted that a report on a review of the Developer Contribution Framework would be submitted to a future meeting.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing details of the initial assessment of applications which had been received under the Summer Community Diversionary Festivals Programme for 2023 and seeking approval to award funding. The report provided details also of the eligibility criteria, the two-stage eligibility assessment process and the overall process.

July Programme

For the July programme, for which £250,000 was available, eight applications had been received, with a total funding request of £409,521, which was an oversubscription of £159,521.

            He provided a brief summary of the projects and officer scores for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the assessment process and pointed out that, after allocations had been made to those organisations which had passed both stages, £47,745 remained within the budget for the Committee’s consideration.

August Programme

Three applications had been received for the August programme, for which £250,000 was available. He provided details of the projects and officer scores for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the assessment process and confirmed that the total amount being requested was £256,935, which was an oversubscription of £6,935. To address this, it was proposed that the organisations would be allocated the same amount as in 2022, totalling £250,000.

Accordingly, the Committee:

                                 i.          agreed to award funding for the 2023 Summer Community Diversionary Festivals Programme as set out below, with any funding awarded being subject to further engagement with groups and an analysis of projects and associated budgets, in line with the Council’s due diligence procedures, including any outstanding financial and monitoring returns in respect of other Council funding and funding not to be awarded until approved contracts are issued and signed;

July Programme

August Programme

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing an update on the provision of beacons for 2023, as an alternative to traditional bonfires over the 12th of July period. 

            He explained that the programme, which was open only to constituted community/voluntary groups, had been in existence for over fifteen years and that it had, in 2019, been extended to provide sixteen groups with a beacon. However, in 2022, due to ongoing issues associated with the pandemic, only eight had been allocated.

            He went on to recommend to the Committee that officers contact those eight groups to determine if they wished to avail of a beacon in 2023, as well as four others which had expressed an interest. That would bring to twelve the number of beacons to be allocated, should all groups accept and conditions be met. He recommended also that, should any of those groups decide not to avail of a beacon, it be allocated on a first come first served basis where Members or constituted groups had expressed an interest.

            The Director then provided details of the cost of storage, assessment, repair and fill of beacons for 2022/23. He pointed out that the current budget allocation for the Beacon Programme was £72,000, which included a contribution of £15,000 from the Executive Office, through its District Council Good Relations Programme. However, as no Executive budget was in place in 2023/24 for that Programme, its contribution could not be guaranteed at this stage. He explained that, in a scenario in which twelve beacons were required and the Executive Office’s contribution was not forthcoming, the Council would be required to provide additional funding of between £20k and £25k through the alignment of existing budgets.

            The Committee noted the contents of the report and adopted the recommendations in terms of prospective participants in this year’s programme.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services informed the Members that the People and Communities Committee, at its meeting on 4th April, had agreed to refer to this Committee for consideration a report on the Community Support Programme.

            He reminded them that the Department for Communities provided an annual grant to the Council to help deliver the Council’s Community Support Programme.  On 27th March, the Council had received correspondence from the Permanent Secretary of that Department advising of the potential for reductions in his final 2023/24 budget allocation due to the pressures being faced at a Northern Ireland Block Grant level. The Permanent Secretary had, in response to concerns raised by the sector and to alleviate some of the pressures being faced by organisations, taken a decision to provide a level of support to sustain services and posts. That support would cover the three-month period up to 30th June, 2023, with the allocations being based on the 2022/23 budget settlement.

            The Director went on to outline the impact which the aforementioned decision would have upon the various grants which were funded through the Community Support Programme and recommended that the Committee:

                                     i.          approve the offer of an initial contract of six months and 50% payment to those organisations funded via the Revenue for Community Buildings, Capacity Building and Advice Grants, as set out within the report;

                                    ii.          approve the full allocation of the planned identified budget towards Summer Scheme Grants, at risk, and Micro/Medium Grants, as set out within the report;

                                   iii.          approve the offer of a three-month contract to the five organisations which the Department for Communities directly funded via the Welfare Reform Mitigation Face to Face funds, as set out within the report; and

                                  iv.          note that a further report would be submitted to its meeting in August detailing the proposed arrangements for second payments, pending formal notification/confirmation of the remaining Community Support Programme allocation for 2023/24.

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations, with the exception of the approval of Micro/Medium Grants funding, which it was agreed would be considered in the context of the report on the yearly underspend to be submitted to its meeting in June. 

            The Committee noted that it had, as part of the previous agenda item, agreed to defer consideration of the allocation of micro and medium grants funding to enable it to be considered in the context of the report on the yearly underspend to be submitted to its meeting in June.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services reported that the Council had received from the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast a request for the use of the Cenotaph in the grounds of the City Hall on the morning of 12th July for a Service of Remembrance and of Barnett Demesne later that day for its annual Belfast demonstration.

            The Committee acceded to the request and delegated authority to the relevant Directors to negotiate satisfactory terms and conditions of use, via an appropriate legal agreement prepared by the City Solicitor, including managing final booking confirmation dates and flexibility around ‘set up’ and take down’ periods and booking amendments, subject to the promoter:

·     resolving any operational issues to the satisfaction of the Council and meeting all the statutory requirements of the Planning and Building Control Service, including the terms and conditions of Barnett Park’s Entertainment Licence.

Unit 3, St. George’s Market

            The Committee approved the surrender of a lease for Unit 3, St George’s Market and agreed that a portion of the rental arrears accrued, equating to £13,450, be written off, in accordance with Section K12 of the Council’s Financial Regulations.

            North Foreshore

            The Committee approved the granting of a licence to John Graham Construction Limited for land at the North Foreshore to be used as a contractor compound for the storage of materials, with the Council to receive £1,000 + VAT per month for the duration of the agreement.

            8 - 9 Donegall Square North

            The Committee agreed to extend the current Management Agreement with Visit Belfast for premises leased by the Council at 8 - 9 Donegall Square North for a period of one year from 16th July, 2023 and on a year-to-year basis thereafter, until a date no later than 15th July, 2028, in line with the expiry of the lease.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing information on an opportunity which had been presented by the opening of the Irish Football Association/Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s 2023 – 25 Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund and seeking approval in relation to two applications.

            He pointed out that the Fund, which would target large capital projects and have a pitch proposal at its core, was open to councils, football clubs, association football-focused sports community organisations, association football-focused charitable organisations and schools/ colleges/ universities. The Fund had opened on 6th April, with £2 million being made available for 2023/24 and £3.59 million in 2024/25. However, there had been only one call for applications, which meant that the imminent deadline of 4th May applied regardless of the year in which the funding was intended for use.

            He then provided details of the main objectives and key criteria governing the Investment Fund and on the two proposed projects.

            After discussion, during which a Member highlighted the urgent need to address gaps in pitch provision across the City, the Committee:

                            i.          granted approval for the Council to submit an application to the Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund for an upgrade of the current polymeric MUGA at Woodvale Park to a 3G surface, along with an upgrade of the existing floodlighting;

                          ii.          noted the proposal which had been received from Crusaders Football Club for a project on the former shale pitch at Loughside Playing Fields which it wished to submit to the Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund under the funding stream and agreed, given the timeframe for the application process, that the club proceed with a submission in which it would act as the applicant and that the Council enter into a lease agreement with the Club, subject to funding approval and full due diligence, which officers would commence immediately; and

                         iii.          agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting providing information on those football clubs which had submitted expressions of interest for funding for projects on Council assets but had not been recommended for submission on the basis that they would not meet the eligibility criteria.   

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1             To consider the governance arrangements to apply for the new Council term commencing in 2023.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to consider the issues set out in the report and agree the governance arrangements for the new Council term.

            In particular, Members are asked to agree to continuing with the following arrangements:

                                                         i.          to operate with a traditional Committee structure;

                                                        ii.          to allocate positions of responsibility using the D’hondt method;

                                                      iii.          to allocate Committee places using the quota greatest remainder method;

                                                      iv.          the current standing Committees to remain the same, save for reviewing the membership numbers of Planning and BUWHL Shareholder Committees;

                                                        v.          9 political appointments to be made to the PCSP and DPCSPs using D’hondt method from the bottom up;

                                                      vi.          to agree the arrangements for Working Groups as set out in the report; and

                                                     vii.          appointment to Outside Bodies using the Sainte Lague method.

            Main Report

            Background

At the meeting of the new Council following the Local Government Elections in May, it will be necessary to agree the new Council’s governance arrangements for the period 2023-27.

            In order for the proper arrangements to be made, including meetings with the Nominating Officers of the Parties returned after the elections, in advance of the Annual Meeting of the new Council on 5th June, it is now necessary for decisions to be made.

            Key Issues

1.     Council Governance Arrangements

            The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 provides for a number of types of governance arrangements, namely:

·        Traditional committee arrangements (default position)

·        Executive model

            In 2014 and 2019, the Council adopted a Constitution which, amongst other things, agreed the default governance arrangements prescribed in the 2014 Act namely:

·        Traditional Committee system

·        Positions of responsibility selected using the D’hondt model

·        Committee places allocated using the quota greatest remainder model

            Adoption of an alternative arrangement requires a qualified majority vote (80%).

            Looking forward to the new Council term, should the Council agree to continue with the existing arrangements as set out in the Council Constitution, then the decision-making process requires a simple majority vote to do so.

            Decision Required:

·        Do members wish to continue with existing governance arrangements that is, a traditional committee system?

            Please note that a mini governance review is underway in relation to the remit of Committees, Standing Orders etc. and a report is likely to be presented to the new Council in September.

2.      Standing Committees

            The Council currently has established seven Standing Committees which promote cross-departmental and thematic working across the organisation supporting the delivery of the Belfast Agenda and the developing process of Outcomes Based Accountability:

(Mrs. D. Colville, City Innovation Manager, attended in connection with the following two items.)

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To provide the Committee with an update on the development of the Belfast Smart District programme, including the commencement of a first phase to leverage and maximise innovation opportunities for the city, communities and businesses building on the new Weavers Cross regeneration.

1.2       The report seeks the Committee’s approval for a number of the programme’s first initiatives.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                            i     note the rationale for an urban innovation accelerator at Weavers Cross, the four proposed objectives and the near term opportunities;

                                          ii     approve a letter of support for the £10m Belfast bid to the UKRI Net Zero Mobility Hub for a Resilient Future;

                                        iii     approve development work with Ulster University and others on a health innovation hub proposal at Weavers Cross;

                                        iv     note the development of CODI and plans to develop a funding bid that may include Smart Dublin as a partner;

                                          v     note the work on a potential £10 million bid to DSIT’s Open Network Ecosystem competition. Members are asked to approve in advance Council’s role in any bid, with details to be shared and approved at June Committee; and

                                        vi     approve the proposed governance and resourcing arrangements for the Urban Innovation Accelerator.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Smart Belfast urban innovation framework (2022 to 2026) was approved by Committee in November 2022. The aim of the framework is to foster greater collaborative innovation between government (both local and regional), industry, SMEs, academia, and our communities. Smart Belfast is about encouraging these partners to work together to harness the power of digital technologies to develop policy solutions to urban challenges.

3.2       The agreed framework places great emphasis on the importance of ‘place’ for urban innovation and the role of the Belfast Smart District (an area that is geographically coterminous with the city centre). The Smart District is about grounding urban innovation initiatives in ‘real-world’ opportunities in which they can be developed, tested, and scaled.

3.3       A compelling opportunity that falls within the Smart District is the Weavers Cross regeneration. Cities across the world have used similar large-scale transport regeneration schemes as a catalyst for a wider urban innovation and economic growth (eg, London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, King’s Cross, and Dublin’s Smart Docklands). A multi-partner innovation urban accelerator at Weavers Cross has the potential to radically accelerate Belfast’s Smart District ambitions. Such an urban innovation accelerator will leverage the planned investments by Translink and its partners to generate significant additionality for the wider city, communities, SMEs and both local universities.

3.4       Staff from the Council’s City Innovation Office have been developing a joint proposition with Translink, industry partners and our universities to map out what such an accelerator would look like; the immediate opportunities that it can bring to Belfast; and the steps required to deliver it. It is proposed that the Urban Accelerator would have four main objectives:

                                            i          Supporting urban place-making in our city centre;

                                          ii  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

            UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme

1.1       To update the Committee on the UK and Republic of Korea Innovation Twins programme and plans for the next phase of the programme which includes:

·        developing and implementing a roadmap to support collaboration on smart city initiatives, economic development and bi-lateral trade between Belfast and the city of Sejong;

·        signing an MOU/friendly, cooperative agreement to support opportunities for city-to-city collaboration;

·        an invitation to the City Innovation team to lead an Innovation Twinning Programme development visit to Sejong with costs covered by BEIS/Connected Places Catapult (CPC); and

·        an invitation to host the Mayor, Choi Min-ho and a delegation from Sejong during their visit to Belfast in August 2023.

            Council of Global City CIOs

1.2       To update Members on the Council of Global City Chief Innovation Officers visit to Belfast on 23rd May 2023. 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

            UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme

                                          (i)   note the invitation for the City Innovation Office to lead on a visit to Sejong and support the further development of a roadmap to develop collaborative, co-investment opportunities;

                                         (ii)   approve the request for a letter of invitation to the Mayor of Sejong to visit Belfast in August 2023; and

                                       (iii)   approve the request for Lord Mayor to meet and host a reception for the Mayor of Sejong and the signing of an MOU in August 2023

            Council of Global City CIOs

                                       (iv)   note the CCGC event taking place on 23 May 2023;

                                         (v)   note the attendance of the Lord Mayor at the event; and

                                        (vi)   approve the Council’s membership of the CGCC.

3.0       Main Report

            UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme

3.1       Members will be aware from previous update reports of the Council’s participation in the ‘UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins’ programme[1] 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.  Following Committee approval for participation in the programme in 2021, a Statement of Intent was agreed to promote collaboration on the first of the programme up to the end of March 2023. 

3.3       While not legally binding, the Statement sets out areas of shared interest based on discussion with a range of city partners, to form the basis for 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       During the initial phase of the programme, we received £100,000 funding which enabled eight local companies to avail of training and support to develop a range of products in areas such as virtual tourism, community rewards programmes, last mile delivery, safer cycling, recycling behaviour, fitness hubs and personal safety.  They profiled their work during a virtual international showcase event and one  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To consider a request received from the UK’s Trees for Cities organisation, inviting the Council to take part in the planting of several young trees to mark the forthcoming Coronation of King Charles III, as part of a UK capital cities initiative.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to approve the request from the Trees for Cities organisation to plant several young trees to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, as part of a UK national capital city initiative.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       On 11th April 2023, the Council received a request from Trees for Cities inviting it to take part in the planting of several young trees to mark the forthcoming Coronation of King Charles III.

3.2       Trees for Cities is the only UK charity working at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in cities. With over 25 years of experience in urban tree planting, Trees for Cities has been constantly working to highlight the multiple benefits of urban trees to improve people’s lives in towns and cities. They specifically work with local communities and local authorities to cultivate lasting change within their neighbourhoods.

3.3       Trees for Cities is currently in talks with the Duchy of Cornwall who is supportive of the project to see trees planted in each of the four UK national capitals to mark King Charles III coronation.

3.4       Trees for Cities has secured agreement to plant trees in Cardiff, Edinburgh and London and their hope is that Belfast, as the capital city of Northern Ireland would also agree to take part.

3.5       The Trees for Cities charity recognise that its request does require a quick turnaround in terms of a decision, organising a suitable planting location and sourcing trees in such short notice.

3.6       It would be our recommendation to plant three ‘heavy standard’ ornamental, containerised trees which would be at a height of approximately 10’ to 12’ and an ideal location for the tree planting, would be within the grounds of Barnett Demesne.

3.7       This small-scale tree planting proposal would still add a small contribution towards the Council’s ongoing ‘One Million Tree’ planting initiative.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.8       Funding for the tree supply/planting will be included within the current CNS tree planting budget and would cost in the region of £1,245.00 in total, as these will be larger trees and it will be necessary to purchase ‘containerised’ trees – these are trees which have been grown in a large pot and will have an adequate root system to establish quickly. It may also be possible to secure some external funding for this and officers will engage in this regard.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications /Rural Needs Assessments

3.9       None.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the East Belfast Area Working Group of 30th March and the North Belfast Area Working Group of 5th April, including the recommendations of the former to:

                               i.          reallocate an additional £215,000 to Bloomfield Community Association (BIF13); and

                              ii.          reallocate an additional £35,000 to provide additional storage facilities for sports clubs (Bredagh GAC, Cregagh Wanderers, Nettlefield Multi-Sports and Tullycarnet) (ELIF031).

            The Committee noted the contents of a report providing an update on the Capital Programme and confirming that the following Capital letters of offer and amended letters of offer had been received for a number of projects where the Council was acting as the delivery agent:

CapitalLettersofOffer 16th – 31st March, 2023

            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; 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

Table 2: Single Tender Actions

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Shared City Partnership of 27th March, including the recommendations:

PEACEPLUS

·     to note the high-level feedback on the Peace Plus Programme, including an update on the Thematic Group Meeting 1 – 22nd March – St. Comgall’s and further update on Stage 2 development of the Local Action Plan, including forthcoming Thematic Working Group meetings;

PEACE IV

            Secretariat

·     to note the contents of the report and delegate authority to the PEACE IV Programme Board to consider and agree the closure position of projects, with final agreement by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, until the reconvening of the Shared City Partnership following the Local Government Elections.

CYP Theme

·        to note the contents of the report and:

o   CYP 1 – TECH CONNECTS, Belfast Metropolitan College (Digital Insights Programme) – approve, in principle, the completion of the project at the level outlined and progress discussions with the Special European Union Programmes Body on any implications; and

o   CYP5 NIHE – note that the written return from the Special European Union Programmes Body had indicated that any additional request for mitigations to be applied to target hours had been declined.

SSS Theme

·        to approve the revised narratives for the information panels in Sections 2 and 5, subject to a plain English review and creative input ,as detailed in appendix II of the minutes; and

·        to note the suggested locations for panels and directional signage in Section 2 (Springvale) and Springfield Dam/Park, as detailed in appendix III of the minutes.

            BPR Theme

·         BPR 1 – NIHE - Cross Community Area Networks – to note that the Special European Union Programmes Body had responded in writing to a request for application of additional mitigations, stating that no further mitigations were permitted;

·         BPR2 – Creative Communities Project – to agree, in principle, the level of achievement as 55% of participant targets; and

·         BPR6 St. Comgall’s – to note that the project is moving into the closure phase, with further evidence being submitted on completion of contact hours for six final adult participants, and delegate authority to the Thematic Chairs of the Programme Board to approve the final completer numbers for closure of the project.

GOOD RELATIONS

·         to note the Quarter 4 report on the delivery of the Council’s Good Relations Action Plan.

            The Committee adopted the recommendations in respect of those applications received up to 3rd April, as set out below:

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Party Group Leaders’ Consultative Forum of 17th April.