Agenda and minutes

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported for Aldermen Copeland and McCoubrey and Councillors Canavan and Duffy.

Alderman Rodgers and Councillor Ferguson declared an interest in relation to the item “Blanchflower Stadium – Preferential Use Agreement” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that they were shareholders of Glentoran Football Club.

            The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Groogan), Alderman McCullough and Councillors Black, Carson, M. Donnelly, Maskey, McCabe, Ó Néill and Vernon declared an interest in relation to the item “Community Support Programme 2024/25” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that they were employed by organisations which were in receipt of revenue grants.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Murphy),

Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 4th March, be taken as read and signed as correct.

Condolences

            The Lord Mayor paid tribute to Cindy Hanna, former City Hall Tour Guide, who had sadly passed away on 17th March, 2024 and he conveyed his condolences to Cindy’s family.

            Councillor Walsh offered his condolences to the family of Sean Magill, a community activist who contributed to the rebuilding of the Irish language community, on his recent passing.

Well Wishes

            The Lord Mayor acknowledged Joan Devlin’s recent retirement from Belfast Healthy Cities and wished her well for the future.

            Alderman McCullough sent well wishes to Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales, on her recent diagnosis.

            The Lord Mayor expressed solidarity with Takura Makoni, whose south Belfast house had been daubed with graffiti telling him he was not welcome in the area after he had spoken out against racism, and he stated that this behaviour was not reflective of the wider community.

            Councillor P. Donnelly wished members of the local Muslim community a Happy Eid and he wished the East Belfast GAA the best of luck following the recent launch of its future plan.

            Councillor S. Douglas praised the Walking and Cycling Index Report published by Sustrans, and encouraged Members read the report.

Congratulations

            The Lord Mayor, Councillors S. Douglas, Smyth and Long congratulated Councillor Hanvey on his recent wedding.

            The Lord Mayor acceded to a request from Councillor R. Brooks to write a letter of congratulations to Tori Watson, who, having lost her father Paisley to cancer, had run a half marathon every day for 22 days in order to raise over £5000 for Marie Curie Hospice.

            Councillor de Faoite congratulated the YMCA Youth in Government Programme graduation ceremony in City Hall and thanked the Lord Mayor for his attendance at the event.

            Councillor de Faoite congratulated Breda GAA on the recent opening of its clubhouse, and those Council officers who had been involved in bringing the project to fruition.

            Councilor D. Douglas paid tribute to the Powered by Poppy campaign which had completed its Walking on Sunshine event and encouraged all Members to share the campaign information to promote donations.

            Councillor Maghie congratulated Our Lady and Saint Patrick’s College, which won both the senior schools football club trophy and senior netball tournament.

            Councillor Smyth congratulated Green Party NI Leader, Mal O’Hara on becoming a Senator in Seanad Éireann.

            Moved by Councillor Black,

            Seconded by Councillor R.M. Donnelly and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 22nd March, 2024, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Murray,

Seconded by Councillor M. Donnelly,

      “That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 12th March, be approved and adopted.”

XL Bully Restrictions announced by

DAERA Minister

                  At the request of Councillor Flynn, the Council agreed to write to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to enquire as to what impact the legislation would have on local councils and animal welfare charities, and what resources would be allocated to deal with those impacts.

            Blanchflower Stadium –

            Preferential Use Agreement

Amendment 1

      Moved by Councillor Lawlor,

      Seconded by Councillor Bunting,

       “That officers would look to work with local community-based football clubs and Glentoran Football Club to develop an allocation model, based on an assessment of need, so that they all get access to the pitch on Monday to Thursday evenings.”

            On a vote by show of hands, eleven Members voted for the amendment and thirty-eight against and it was declared lost.

Amendment 2

      Moved by Councillor Maghie,

      Seconded by Councillor Murray and

            Resolved -  “That the Committee’s decision, that officers would look to work with local community-based football clubs to develop an allocation model which was fair and equitable for all users, to ensure that all clubs would get fair access to pitches throughout the week, would be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.”

            Requests for Events in Parks

Amendment

      Moved by Councillor Lyons,

      Seconded by Councillor de Faoite,

             “That the Committee’s decision to grant authority to the applicant for the proposed Finaghy Cultural Festival would be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for reconsideration.”

            On a recorded vote, thirty-nine Members voted for the amendment and fourteen against and it was declared carried.

            Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium

            Working Group Update

            At the request of Councillor Lyons, the Council agreed to write to the Department for Communities to propose a policy framework with Historic Environment Division and the Council, that would consider funding, operational security and public access to historic cemeteries.

Adoption of Minutes

      Subject to the foregoing amendments, the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 12th March were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Nic Bhranair,

Seconded by Councillor Walsh, and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 13th and 27th March, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor McKeown,

Seconded by Councillor McCabe, and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 20th March, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Councillor Maskey, and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 19th and 27th March, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor R. M. Donnelly,

Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin, and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Climate and City Resilience Committee of 14th March, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Bower,

Seconded by Councillor Ferguson, and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Committee of 11th March, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

            Moved by Councillor McDonough-Brown,

            Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin, and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Standards and Business Committee of 28th March, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.