Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported on behalf of Alderman Dorrian and Councillors Beattie, Long and McDonough-Brown.

            The minutes of the meeting of 28th 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 4th April, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following eight 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 noted the contents of a report providing details of the recruitment and selection process which had resulted in the appointment of Mr. David Sales to the post of Director (Operational) of City and Neighbourhood Services.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report providing an update on the regional industrial action involving members of Unite the Union, which had taken place between 21st and 27th March and advising of the potential for further action.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report providing an update on the Council’s organisational recovery and adopted the recommendation that priority be given to introducing a phased return of customer facing services to normal business as soon as possible. 

            The Committee noted the contents of a report providing an update on the progress being made across each of the operational areas in implementing the City Hall Recovery Plan.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing details of the following requests for the use of Council parks in 2022:

·        Belsonic – Ormeau Park – 13th to 26th June (9 live events);

·        Belfast Mela – Botanic Gardens – 28th August; and

·        Planet Love Festival – Boucher Road Playing Fields – 10th September.

            The report also sought multiple year approval for Belsonic to use Ormeau Park up to and including 2024, for up to a maximum of ten concerts each year, and for the Council to continue to provide financial support of £20,000 to Belfast Mela, given the positive impact which it had on the City. Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee:

                            i.      approve the requests for the use of Ormeau Park, Botanic Gardens and Boucher Road Playing Fields, on the dates outlined above and delegate authority to her:

a.     to negotiate, in conjunction with the Councils Commercial Manager, an appropriate fee, where applicable, which recognised the costs to Council, minimised negative impact on the immediate area and took account of the potential wider benefit to the City’s economy; and

b.     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:

·        the organiser resolving any operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

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

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

                          ii.          grant multiple year approval for Belsonic to host concerts in Ormeau Park each June up to and including 2024, and remove the need for Committee approval in 2023 and 2024 by allowing each concert to be approved under the scheme of delegation, based on a review of the previous year’s outcomes and officer recommendations; and

                         iii.          agree to continue to provide funding of £20,000 to the Belfast Mela.

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations, subject to recommendation ii. being amended to reflect that a decision on whether or not to grant approval to Belsonic to hold concerts in 2023 and 2024 would be taken by the Committee, rather than under delegated authority, also on the basis of the previous year’s review.

            The Chief Executive informed the Committee that Martin J. Walsh, United States Secretary of Labor, would be undertaking an official visit to Belfast on 26th and 27th May.

Secretary Walsh had, in the past, addressed the Council in his role as Mayor of Boston and retained a strong interest in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

            He reported that a request had been received on behalf of Secretary Walsh to meet on 26th May with the leaders of the Political Parties and, immediately afterwards, to address a special meeting of the Council on issues such as inclusive economic recovery, city resilience and climate intervention, Innovation City Belfast, investment and business ambitions with the United States. A “US International Homecoming” lunch event, involving business, community and political representatives, would also be taking place in a City centre venue that afternoon, during which Secretary Walsh would reinforce his country’s ongoing support for Belfast and Northern Ireland. The Council had been allocated ten places at that event, at an estimated total cost of £3,000, which would be met from existing budgets.

            Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve:

                                      i.          a request for Secretary Walsh to address a special meeting of the Council at 10.00 a.m. on Thursday, 26th May;

                                    ii.          a request for Secretary Walsh to meet with the leaders of the Political Parties at 9.15 a.m. on Thursday, 26th May; and

                                   iii.          the attendance of up to a maximum of ten people at the lunch event being held on the afternoon of Thursday, 26th May, at a cost of approximately £3,000.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed, given the cost to the Council of attending the lunch event, to adopt recommendations i. and ii. only.

            The Chief Executive submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing an update on future proposals for 2 Royal Avenue and on the Levelling Up Fund - Round 2. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee:

                   i.          note the success of the current meanwhile use of 2 Royal Avenue and approve, in principle, the proposal to seek a further meanwhile use until the end of December 2023 (with appropriate break clauses), with a similar focus on cultural, animation and creative activities.

                  ii.          note the update in relation to the Levelling Up Fund - Round 2;

                iii.          grant approval for officers to develop a bid to the Levelling Up Fund - Round 2 in relation to the future use of 2 Royal Avenue, with regular updates to be provided to the Committee to ensure oversight and contribution to the application;

                iv.          agree that officers use existing Levelling Up capacity funding to procure external support to assist officers in terms of bid development; and

                 v.          agree that officers develop a mechanism by which requests from other organisations for letters of support for funding applications be provided, if they support existing Corporate priorities.

            After discussion, the Committee adopted recommendations i. ii. iv and v., as set out above.

             In terms of recommendation iii., it was agreed that officers would continue to work up the bid for Round 2 funding for 2 Royal Avenue, with final approval to be deferred until its next monthly meeting to allow for other potential projects across the City which might qualify for this funding to be identified.

            The Director of Physical Programmes submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report seeking approval to proceed with the implementation of procurement processes and providing details of recently awarded contracts.

            After discussion, the Committee:

                               i.          agreed that any necessary procurement processes, including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements, be initiated for any non-recurrent projects for 2022/23, for 2 Royal Avenue, in connection with the extended meanwhile use and/or the Levelling Up application and any externally funded projects for 2021/22 and 2022/23, as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver;

                              ii.          noted the update in relation to contracts awarded between January and March 2022, as well as the emergency works completed under Standing Order 56; and

                            iii.          noted the comments of a Member on the need to progress community consultation on the proposed new leisure facility at Girdwood, under the Leisure Transformation Programme.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Beattie, Keenan and Kennedy.

            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 Smyth and seconded by Councillor O’Hara, to the People and Communities Committee in the first instance for consideration:

“This Council notes the spiralling cost of energy bills and the increased pressure on households across the City, particularly the most vulnerable. In order to provide long-term solutions to escalating energy prices the Council will:

·        commit to civic leadership on the development of community energy projects across the City. These projects will focus on developing renewable energy in partnership with communities and expert organisations, including the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and sourcing financing for these community energy projects;

·        engage with the Department for the Economy for support in developing community energy schemes; and

·        write to the UK Government Treasury stating its support for a Windfall Tax on the Energy Companies which have recorded record profits.

For the purpose of this motion, the use of the term ‘community energy’ to mean community projects or initiatives focused on the four strands of reducing energy use, managing energy better, generating energy or purchasing energy. This included communities of place and communities of interest. These projects or initiatives share an emphasis on community ownership, leadership or control where the community benefits”.

            The People and Communities Committee, at its meeting on 8th March, had agreed to refer the motion to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, on the basis that it was considered to fall more within the remit of that Committee.

            Councillor Smyth, who had proposed the motion, referred to the increasing challenges being faced by families across the City, in terms of rising energy costs. He highlighted the need for a long-term approach to be adopted to address the issue and pointed out that the Council, as a civic leader, had an important role to play in driving new solutions around energy needs, with the concept of community energy at its core. Northern Ireland lagged behind Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland in terms of community energy policy and development support and significant work was required across all sectors to address this.

            He went on to highlight the important role being played by the Northern Ireland Community Energy Co-operative in taking forward community owned, renewable energy initiatives and energy efficiency services. The co-operative had recently supported a project in Edenderry Village, covering approximately 200 homes, which enabled participants to make a just transition from a fossil fuel to an affordable low carbon heating system. He concluded by commending the work of the Council’s Climate Resilience Team and the Climate and City Resilience Committee and by urging the Committee to support his motion.

            The Committee adopted the motion and agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting on how it would be facilitated, resourced and managed.              

            The Chief Executive informed the Committee that the Department for Communities had forwarded to local councils a circular setting out revised maximum limits for basic and special responsibility allowances, with effect from 1st April, 2021. The maximum basic allowance had increased from £15,486 to £15,757, with the total maximum special responsibility allowance having risen from £117,774 to £119,835.

            Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee consider whether it wished to apply the increases in the basic and special responsibility allowances, as outlined.

            After discussion, the Committee:

                                      i.          agreed not to apply the increases in the basic and special responsibility allowances, with effect from 1st April, 2021; and

                                    ii.          agreed to write to the Department for Communities calling for the current legislation to be amended to provide for the establishment of an independent process to deal with the scheme of allowances, thereby removing Elected Member involvement.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       This report seeks to update the Committee on the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) which was formally signed on 15th December 2021 by the Belfast region partners, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.  The report also includes an update on development of the Outline Business Cases (OBCs) and an overview of next steps in the implementation of the deal. 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note:

·        the update on the signing of the Belfast Region City Deal in December, 2021;

·        the programme overview and the next steps in the implementation of the deal; and

·        the update in respect of the BRCD Council Panel.

3.0       Main Report

            Programme Update

3.1       The Belfast Region Deal Document and Governance Framework was approved by the SP and R Committee in October 2021 and individual BRCD partners also sought approval through their own governance structures in tandem. Following these formal approvals by partners including UK and NI Government the deal was formally signed on 15 December 2021 at the ICC Belfast, representing a key milestone for the Belfast region.

3.2       As Members will be aware, the original planned event had to be scaled back and moved to an online format due to the emerging revision of Covid-19 restrictions at that time.  Whilst this was not how partners had envisaged marking the signing of the Deal, moving to an online format allowed for a wider audience than would have been possible with an in-person event. Over 200 people viewed the event online on the day, including partners, Elected Representatives, Government officials and representatives from the business community. 

3.3       It was a momentous day for partners across the Belfast region, with the first ever signed City Deal for Northern Ireland securing £1billion co-investment to helptransform the region’s economy over the next decade.  On the day of the signing the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Finance Minister signalled their full support for the implementation of the deal and for the partners’ aim to deliver a ‘Decade of Opportunity’, resulting in significant press and media coverage for BRCD both on the day of the announcement and in the days following.

3.4       A number of communications products were developed in line with the announcement, including a programme video and an updated BRCD Summary document which has been circulated. Plans for strategic engagement and programme communication reflecting the new phase of the deal are currently being developed and Members will be updated as this progresses.

            Investment Priorities

3.5       BRCD Partners have now developed Business Cases for their projects across the programme and Business Cases representing a majority of programme expenditure are now at an advanced stage.

            Innovation

3.6       There has been significant progression in the Innovation Pillar with all five Innovation projects at an advanced stage of development, with a number of the projects having been progressed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            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 PwC’s Good Growth for Cities 2022 Report: Taking Action on Levelling Up.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to note the update on PwC’s Good Growth for Cities 2022: Taking Action on Levelling Up report, a copy of which can be accessed here, which measures the performance of cities and regions across the UK as indicators of ‘Good Growth’ and ranked Belfast as the highest-ranking city from the devolved nation.

3.0       Main Report

            Background

3.1       The Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index is an annual report which looks at broad measures of economic performance alongside well-being indicators to develop a metric for ‘Good Growth’ of cities. Specifically, the report ranks 50 of the UK’s largest cities based on people’s assessment of 12 key economic wellbeing factors, including jobs, health, income and skills, as well as work-life balance, house affordability, travel-to-work times, income equality, environment and business start-ups. This year’s report also includes two new indicators covering safety and vibrancy of local high streets. Indicators within the report align to the Council’s strategic objectives such as the Belfast Agenda, Corporate Plan, BRCD.  Belfast City Centre and Regeneration Strategy (BCCRIS), Bolder Vision for Belfast and the Reset for Growth report, as well as a number of other strategies and programmes.

3.2       Using these ‘Good Growth’ indicators, the report ranked Belfast in eighth place, and highest ranked city from the devolved nations. Other cities in the top 10 include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leicester, Sheffield and Bristol. Members will be aware of the projects and programmes Council are delivering aimed at job creation, regeneration and place making, vibrancy and making Belfast a city a great place to live, work, visit and invest. The recent findings from this report are a positive sense check in terms of our direction and focused priorities, and also highlighting the need to ensure that we continue to work to position the city to compete both nationally and globally.

3.3       Contained within the report are case studies of best practice at how investment in townscapes, support in community cohesion, efforts to foster local pride and attract new types of businesses are being used to boost growth. Belfast was selected as a case study for inclusion within the report, referencing a balanced and deliberately interventionist approach to regeneration.  Work being undertaken by the city to invest in place-making, open and green spaces, community infrastructure, connectivity and cultural and tourism offerings in order to create a more attractive, accessible, and vibrant city centre which connects to surrounding communities are highlighted as best practice. It also referred to city investment plans including a citywide commitment to investing in neighbourhoods, leisure and community facilities and to strategies that integrate physical regeneration with cultural, social and environmental regeneration.  It highlighted the Bolder Vision for Belfast as being key to a stronger and more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

            The Committee considered the following report and accompanying draft response in respect of the Public Accounts Committee’s report on planning in Northern Ireland:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The NI Assembly, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published a report and recommendations in relation to Planning in Northern Ireland. This Committee report provides an overview of the PAC report and recommended response from the Council. The proposed response was considered by the Planning Committee on 12th April for notation. The Council’s proposed response is attached.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to note this report and approve the attached response to the PAC report.

3.0       Background

3.1       In February 2022, the Planning Committee considered two recent reviews of the NI planning system:

·        Firstly, the Northern Ireland Audit Office’s review of the NI planning system, a copy of which can be accessed here: https://www.niauditoffice.gov.uk/publications/planning-northern-ireland and

·        Secondly, the Department for Infrastructure’s review of the implementation of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, a copy of which can be accessed here:

https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/review-planning-act-ni-2011-report

3.2       Following publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report, the NI Assembly, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been hearing evidence from key stakeholders. The following sessions were held.

·        Evidence from the Department for Infrastructure – 10 February 2022

·        Evidence from SOLACE – 17 February 2022 (including evidence from Kate Bentley, Director of Planning and Building Control, Belfast City Council)

·        Evidence from NILGA – 24 February 2022

3.3       The PAC subsequently published its report on ‘Planning in NI’ on 24 March 2022. This paper provides an overview of the PAC report and includes a recommended response from the Council. A full copy of the PAC report has been circulated.

3.4       As further background reading, Members are referred to the agenda item to the February Planning Committee on the NI Audit Office report and the Departmental review of the implementation of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, see link below:

            https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=167&MId=10643&Ver=4

            Public Accounts Committee Report on Planning in NI

            Overview

3.1       Consistent with the findings of the NIAO report published in February 2022, the PAC report is extremely critical of the NI planning system. It concludes that the planning system in Northern Ireland is not working effectively or efficiently. The PAC calls for a fundamental review, led by someone independent from the Department for Infrastructure, to bring about the long-term, strategic changes needed to make the planning system fit for purpose.

3.2       In relation to performance, the PAC observes that since the transfer of functions in 2015, planning authorities have failed to deliver on many of their key targets, particularly on major and significant development. The PAC was ‘appalled’ by the performance statistics. It states that it is simply unacceptable that almost one-fifth of the most important planning applications aren’t processed within three years highlighting that such poor performance has an impact on applicants, developers and communities and is risking investment in Northern Ireland.

3.3       The PAC notes that progress on Local Development Plans (LDPs) has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1             To update the Committee on the emerging high-level spend analysis of the Belfast Anchors Procurement and Commissioning working group, which was established to explore how procurement and commissioning can embed community wealth building across the city to support inclusive and sustainable growth.  This information was presented to the Social Policy Working Group in February, 2022.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                            i     note the initial high level spend analysis in the attached appendix and next steps, as outlined at paragraph 3.7; and

                                          ii     note that CLES will present the completed analysis to a future meeting of Party Group Leaders and provide party briefings if required, to allow further consideration of the next steps for this project and how procurement and commissioning can be used to build and create local community wealth.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The purpose of the Belfast Procurement and Commissioning working group is to carry out a spend analysis within their organisation, as part of commissioned work on behalf of the Community Planning Partnership.  It includes representatives from the city’s anchor institutions, the VCSE Panel as well as interested representatives from the city’s large private sector organisations (AllState and BT).

3.2       Four anchor organisations formed the first tranche for the analysis that the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) carried out working with the respective procurement teams: Belfast City Council, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Queen’s University and Ulster University. This analysis includes consideration of the Belfast and NI business base to explore strengths and weaknesses in the region to identify good practice and opportunities for development.  

3.3       Following initial consideration by the Belfast Procurement and Commissioning Working Group, the high-level analysis was presented to the Social Policy Working Group (SPWG) on 28th February.  The SPWG has asked that this be shared more widely with Party Group Leaders and the SP and R Committee to raise awareness of this work and to help inform the action plan and next steps.

3.4       The following summarises the key points in the initial high-level analysis attached to this report.  This will be enhanced as the data from the second tranche of anchors is added, strengthening the city’s evidence base on the role of procurement in the local economy.

-       The four Belfast Anchors annual spend amounts to £443m, with 72% of this being spent with suppliers in Belfast and the rest of NI;

-       28% of spend from the 4 Belfast Anchors is with Belfast based SMEs;

-       Belfast anchor institutions procure from relatively large local firms (of those available), but their largest suppliers are based outside NI;

-       A sectoral analysis of the spend outside of NI shows that this tends to be on administrative and support services and manufacturing;

-       There are few current suppliers which are ‘socially owned’ (7 out of 900).

3.5       Spend data has now been provided directly to CLES by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5d

            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:

Shankill Shared Women’s Centre - Permission to Enter Agreement

·        The Committee approved the completion of a Permission to Enter Agreement with the Education Authority to complete boundary realignment and subsequent construction works.

Land at Grampian Avenue Playground

·        The Committee noted an update on two land acquisitions which it had approved at its meeting on 22nd June, 2018.

2 Royal Avenue – Extension of the Meanwhile Use

·        The Committee approved retrospectively an Addendum to the existing Contract with Small World Music Limited, thereby extending its services to 19th April, 2022.

2 Royal Avenue – Lease for Bins Stores and Electricity Cabinet

·        The Committee granted approval to enter into a lease with the Department for Communities to regularise the arrangement for bins stores and an electricity cabinet which encroach onto Council owned lands.

Ballysillan Playing Fields - Deed of Partial Surrender of Land

·        The Committee approved the surrender of a 1.56-acre plot of land, which was currently part of lands leased to Iceland Foods Limited, to facilitate the redevelopment of the Playing Fields.

Site 10, Union Street – Renewal of Short-Term Licence

·        The Committee approved the renewal of a short-term licence to Sunflower Belfast Limited to use a small area of land at Site 10 for bin storage for a period of nine months from 4th May, 2022.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the North Belfast Area Working Group of 30th March, including the following recommendations:

            BIF34 - Basement/Elim Project

·        to agree a new option, involving a scaled back version of the project with a new build on an existing asset owned by Elim Church at Gainsborough Drive and to note that, on this basis, approximately £600,000 out of the approved BIF budget would be available for reallocation, leaving a BIF allocation of £900,000.

            BIF45 - Midland Boxing Club

·        to agree to allocate an additional £150,000 to the Midland Boxing Club project from the £600,000 reallocation from the Basement/Elim project.

            BIF20 - Malgrove

·        to agree to allocate an additional £450,000 to the Malgrove project from the £600,000 reallocation from the Basement/Elim project and to progress a planning application for the wider sporting hub proposal.

            BIF41 - Marrowbone

·        to note the movement of this project to Stage 3 – Committed.

            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 considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To update the Committee on proposals to develop a Race Equality and Diversity Action Plan and appoint a Race Champion.

1.2       The Belfast Agenda states that ‘In 2035, Belfast will be a City that is welcoming, safe, fair and inclusive.’  The Council’s Good Relations Strategy sets out our vision and values for a shared, peaceful and reconciled Belfast. It states that good community and race relations are essential for a healthy and safe City and that it will set the standard for Belfast to aspire to be a place of welcome and diversity. The strategy outlines how we can play our part in building a better city for residents and visitors alike, where different identities can be strength and our diverse cultural traditions can all be part of collective cultural wealth; a City where everyone has an equal place and where no-one is left behind.

1.3       A previous request from the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Kate Nicholl, for the appointment of a Race Champion and a Motion proposed by Councillor Canavan and seconded by Councillor Garrett, calling for the Council area to become a racism free zone, further highlight the importance of addressing race inequalities and racism.  Two reports presented to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in June and December 2020, provided updates on existing work in this area. It was agreed that further consideration of how the Council could address the above proposals was required, and that recommendations should be presented to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at a later date.   

1.4       In addition, at the Council meeting on 4th April 2022, the following motion was proposed by Cllr Kyle and seconded by Cllr McMullan:

·        that the Council supports Belfast City Council becoming a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ and supports the initiative to have Belfast recognised as a ‘City of Sanctuary’, in order to provide a welcome and safe place for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants and

·        that a Race Action Plan be developed to review how we deliver our services and take action as an employer to create a diverse workforce.’ 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to agree:

                                            i     that a Race Champion be appointed from within Corporate Management Team to lead a   Race Equality and Diversity Action Group to oversee the development of a Race Action Plan; and

                                          ii     that the Council signs up to the Business in the Community initiative ‘Race at Work  Charter’ initiative to learn from best practice and for support in developing our approach, agreeing actions and setting achievable goals and targets. 

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Council’s approach to promoting good relations and tackling issues such as racism stem from the Good Relations Strategy.  The Council’s Shared City Partnership (SCP) oversees the work of the Council’s District Good Relations Programme and the PEACE IV Local Action Plan. Through these, the Council facilitates a number of projects such as the Migrant Forum, the Diversecity Programme and recently,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Shared City Partnership of 11th April, including the recommendations:

PEACE IV

Secretariat

·        to agree the key elements of the business case, the anticipated level of achievement and the mitigations required across the programme.

            Children and Young People

·        to endorse and promote the Share2BAware campaign.

                                Building Positive Relations

      BPR1 - Cross Community Area Networks

·        the modification, as approved by SEUPB, to permit a cross border residential visit to Dublin for the East Belfast Cross Community Area Network, as part of the place shaping stage.

                    BPR5 - ROMA 

·        to uplift the contract with FSP by 10%, approximately £16,900, subject to budget agreement with the Secretariat and approval by SEUPB.

Shared Space and Services

·        to extend to September 2022 the contracts for volunteer delivery with Sustrans and Volunteer Now and also the narratives project with Mediation NI, within the current contract value to enable delivery and the achievement of targets. 

PEACE PLUS

·        to approve the logistics for running future meetings of the Shared City Partnership; and

·        that the SEUPB appointed consultants attend the next meeting of the Partnership to provide an overview of the role of the PEACEPLUS Partnership for the oversight of the 1.1. Co-Designed Local Community Peace Action Plan for Belfast.

GOOD RELATIONS

·        that the City Hall be illuminated on 5th July to mark the Memorial Week of the Srebrenica Genocide;

·        that £8,000 be allocated towards a programme of activities for asylum seekers, led by Mears, subject to clarification being obtained on whether Mears could access the Mears Foundation to fund this work, given that its staff would be delivering the service and the need to ensure there was no duplication with what Mears had been contracted to currently undertake and that The Executive Office was content to support the project; and

·        to note that, whilst no formal letter of offer had been received from The Executive Office towards the District Council Good Relations Action Plan, the Departmental Management Team was content to proceed using the Council’s 2021/22 allocation figures.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meetings of the Party Group Leaders’ Consultative Forum of 8th April.

            The Committee approved the following requests for the use of the City Hall Grounds in 2022, with the organisers to submit an event management plan and risk assessment in advance of their event:

·        22nd July - Belfast Pride Family Fun Day; and

·        30th July - Féile Rocks Pride Concert.

            The Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations made in respect of those applications received up to 1st April, as set out below, and agreed further to defer consideration of options for the future delivery of hospitality for functions to enable further information to be obtained:

*For all events noted above numbers and room layout will be reviewed and revised in line with Covid-19 social distancing guidelines at the time of each event.

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

(Councillor M. Kelly to request that the City Hall be illuminated on the night of Saturday, 28th May to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day)

            The Committee acceded to requests from:

·        Councillor M. Kelly to illuminate the City Hall in red on Saturday, 28th May to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day;

·        Councillor Walsh to illuminate the City Hall in red on Friday, 20th May, in support of An Dream Dearg’s campaign for Irish language rights and the implementation of Irish language legislation, including the An Lá Dearg event being held at the City Hall on 21st May; and  

·        Councillor Garrett to illuminate the City Hall in rainbow colours later that evening to coincide with a vigil being held in memory of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee who had been killed in violent attacks in Sligo earlier in the week.

Councillor Walsh to propose:

“This Council supports the campaign for Irish language rights and the implementation of Irish language legislation. It is long overdue that the citizens of this City and beyond are recognised in law, as promised in many of our peace agreements.

On Saturday 21st May, thousands will travel to the City Hall to support the Dream Dearg campaign. We call on the Council to support their campaign and also extend a huge welcome and céad míle fáilte to the thousands who will travel to be here for An Lá Dearg 2022.

As an act of solidarity and support from the Council, we will, on Friday 20th May, illuminate the City Hall in red, symbolising the campaign for language rights.”

            The Chief Executive sought and was granted approval to initiate an internal recruitment exercise to fill, on an interim basis, his former post of City Solicitor and Director of Legal and Civic Services, with political representation on the shortlisting and interview panel to consist of the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson (or their nominees) and Councillor Lyons.