Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Alderman Spence and Councillors Graham and Long.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council’s Bonfire Governance Arrangements stated that the Press and public will be excluded from meetings in relation to bonfire-related issues having regard to the sensitive nature of the business to be transacted and for the protection of officers who might be required to provide information to assist in decision-making. In addition the information provided was to be treated as sensitive and confidential.

            Accordingly, the Committee agreed that the Press and public be excluded from the meeting.

            The Committee was advised also that, in accordance with Standing Order 37a - Duties of Committees: Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, it had full delegated authority to take decisions in relation to bonfire related issues.

            The Chief Executive submitted a report which provided details on a number of bonfire sites and current issues on which the Committee was required to make a decision.  In addition, the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services provided an update on additional sites on which it would be required to make a decision at either today’s meeting or at a further meeting to be held the following week.

            Lismore Street

            The Committee agreed to remove the tyres both around the site and from within the bonfire at Lismore Street but that, prior to their removal, the Interagency Group, at its meeting on 5th July, be advised of the Committee’s decision, and that their assistance is requested, following which the tyres would be removed the next day or on a day as advised by the contractor.

            Navarra Place Playground Site

            The Committee agreed:

·        To approve the provision of a beacon at the Navarra Place Playground on 11th July; and

·        That officers implement mitigation measures to minimise potential damage to the fence and other items around the play area.

            Orangefield

            The Committee agreed not to accede to a request for access to be provided on the night of 11th July to the electrical supply in Council premises at Orangefield Park in connection with bonfire-related events.

            Thistle Court/Madrid Street

            The Committee agreed to defer, until a further special meeting, consideration of the provision of a beacon at the above-mentioned site to enable further discussions to take place with the residents and with the Short Strand Partnership on the possibility of using another location in the area.

            Other sites

            The Members also received an update on Cluan Place and were reminded that the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), being the landowner, was the decision maker with regards to this site and, as with other DfI owned sites, there might be a request to engage our contractor if an intervention was required.  This would be undertaken within the parameters of the availability of the contractor and costs being met by DfI.

Noted.

            The Committee agreed also to defer decisions on the other sites addressed by the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services, that is, Avoniel, Ashdale Street and Inverary until the next special meeting.

            The Committee agreed that the next meeting to consider bonfire-related issues be held on Monday, 8th July at 1.00p.m.

Call-in

            The Committee agreed further, in accordance with Standing Order 47 (a) (2) (c), that the decisions would not be subject to call-in, on the basis that an unreasonable delay could be prejudicial to the Council’s or the public’s interest.