Agenda and minutes

            Prior to the meeting commencing, the Lord Mayor read a passage from the Scriptures.

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Aldermen Browne and McGimpsey and Councillors Carson, Craig and O’Neill.

No declarations of interest were reported.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Alderman Kingston),

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Campbell) and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 1st December be taken as read and signed as correct.

The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received from the BBC seeking to film the meeting. 

The Council agreed to accede to the request.

Expression of Sympathy

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of the grandfather of Councillor Corr Johnston and of the father of Mrs. S. Wylie, Chief Executive, and, on behalf of the Council, extended to them his condolences and deepest sympathy.

Congratulations

The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, extended congratulations to Mr. D. Neill, the Council’s Emergency Planning Co-ordinator, on having been appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

He congratulated also Councillor O’Neill and her partner, Kieran, on the recent birth of their son, Alfie. 

Alderman Rodgers highlighted the fact that his term as the High Sheriff of Belfast had ended recently and expressed his appreciation for the support which he had received from the current Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, the former Lord Mayor (Councillor Carson), the former Deputy Lord Mayor (Alderman Spence) and all Members of the Council. He thanked also those staff who had assisted him over the course of the year and wished his successor, Alderman Haire, well during his term as High Sheriff.

The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Sinn Fein Party indicating that it wished to replace Councillor McAteer with Councillor Corr on the Active Belfast Limited Board.

The Council approved the aforementioned change.

Moved by Councillor Hussey,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic and Policy and Resources Committee of 16th December be approved and adopted.

Request for Matter to be Taken Back

for Further Consideration

Capital Programme Update

            Councillor Kyle requested that the Chairman agree to the minute under the heading “Capital Programme Update”, in so far as it related to the Clonduff Community Centre, being taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

The Chairman declined the request.

Amendment

Capital Programme Update

Moved by Councillor Kyle,

Seconded by Councillor Corr Johnston,

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 16th December, under the heading “Capital Programme Update”, in so far as it relates to the Clonduff Community Centre, be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            On a vote by show of hands, five Members voted for the amendment and twenty-forty against and it was declared lost.

Adoption of Minutes

            The minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 16th December were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Alderman Rodgers,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 6th December be approved and adopted.

Request for Matter to be Taken Back

for Further Consideration

Analysis of Cost of Pitch Hire

            Councillor Hutchinson requested that the Chairman agree to the minute under the heading “Analysis of Cost of Pitch Hire” being taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

The Chairman declined the request.

Adoption of Minutes

            The minutes of the meeting of the People and Communities Committee of 6th December were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Graham,

Seconded by Alderman Haire and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 7th December be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Armitage,

Seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown and  

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 14th December, omitting matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Johnston,

Seconded by Councillor Armitage and

             Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 13th December, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted. 

Councillor Carson to move:

“This Council supports the call to implement the recommendation by the Constitutional Convention to extend the franchise to include all Irish citizens, regardless of their place of residency, to vote in the next and all future Presidential elections."

(To be debated by the Council)

In the absence of Councillor Carson, in whose name the motion had been submitted, Councillor McVeigh, with the consent of the Council, proposed:

      “This Council supports the call to implement the recommendation by the Constitutional Convention to extend the franchise to include all Irish citizens, regardless of their place of residency, to vote in the next and all future Presidential elections."

The motion was seconded by Councillor O’Hara.

At the request of Councillor Lyons, the proposer agreed that the motion be amended to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “recommended by the” in the first line and the insertion of the following: “Joint Committee of the Oireachtas on European Affairs, made in November, 2014, that voting rights in Oireachtas elections be expanded to all Irish citizens living outside the Republic’s borders.”

 On a recorded vote, twenty-six Members voted for the motion, as amended, and twenty-nine against and it was declared lost.

Alderman Convery to move:

“Belfast City Council notes that the Programme for Government has been developed under the Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) principles.

Belfast City Council notes that two Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) pilots have been taken forward in Whiterock and Inner East, as part of the Belfast Agenda.

Belfast City Council agrees to embed the OBA principles in all Council decision making processes in the Council to make sure we achieve outcomes which show measurable improvements for people and communities in every part of the city.

(To be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Alderman Convery proposed:

      “This Council notes that the Programme for Government has been developed under the Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) principles.

      The Council notes that two Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) pilots have been taken forward in Whiterock and Inner East, as part of the Belfast Agenda.

      The Council agrees to embed the OBA principles in all Council decision making processes in the Council to make sure we achieve outcomes which show measurable improvements for people and communities in every part of the City.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Attwood.

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion was referred, without discussion, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

Councillor Nicholl to move:

"This Council notes a motion passed in March, 2016, regarding the transparency of donations made to political parties, recognises the importance which the citizens of Belfast place on being able to trust their Elected Representatives to work for the common good, further recognises the corrupting influence which money can have on the political decision- making process and considers it unacceptable that donations to political parties continue to remain secret in Northern Ireland.

The Council notes correspondence which was received from the previous Secretary of State, dated 5th April, 2016, stating that the time was not appropriate to move to full transparency, however, given current low levels of public confidence in transparency of Government, it calls on the new Secretary of State to immediately lift the exemption to reveal all declared donations to political parties since January 2014 and calls also on all political parties to voluntarily publish donations from this time."

(To be debated by the Council)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Nicholl proposed:

      "This Council notes a motion passed in March, 2016, regarding the transparency of donations made to political parties, recognises the importance which the citizens of Belfast place on being able to trust their Elected Representatives to work for the common good, further recognises the corrupting influence which money can have on the political decision- making process and considers it unacceptable that donations to political parties continue to remain secret in Northern Ireland.

      The Council notes correspondence which was received from the previous Secretary of State, dated 5th April, 2016, stating that the time was not appropriate to move to full transparency, however, given current low levels of public confidence in transparency of Government, it calls on the new Secretary of State to immediately lift the exemption to reveal all declared donations to political parties since January 2014 and calls also on all political parties to voluntarily publish donations from this time."

            The motion was seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown.

Amendment

            Moved by Councillor Reynolds,

            Seconded by Councillor Hussey,

      That the motion, as proposed by Councillor Nicholl, be amended to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “Secretary of State” in the second paragraph and the insertion of the following: “to introduce, at the earliest opportunity, legislation to implement the same donations regime in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the United Kingdom.”

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

            The original motion, standing in the name of Councillor Nicholl and seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown, was thereupon put to the meeting, when, by show of hands, thirty-eight Members voted for

Alderman R. Patterson to move:

“This Council notes the serious public concern amongst our constituents in relation to financial squander around the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.

The Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State, as public representatives, highlighting the huge public interest in relation to this matter and, accordingly, requests that he initiates a full public inquiry, pursuant to his discretion contained within Section 1 of the Inquiries Act 2005.

The Council agrees also to write to the Joint First Minister, Arlene Foster, expressing our belief, as a Council, that she should step aside pending a full public inquiry into this extraordinarily serious matter and the allegations of corruption which have been made by a former Government Minister from her own Party.”

(To be debated by the Council)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Alderman R. Patterson proposed:

      “This Council notes the serious public concern amongst our constituents in relation to financial squander around the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.

      The Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State, as public representatives, highlighting the huge public interest in relation to this matter and, accordingly, requests that he initiates a full public inquiry, pursuant to his discretion contained within Section 1 of the Inquiries Act 2005.

      The Council agrees also to write to the Joint First Minister, Arlene Foster, expressing our belief, as a Council, that she should step aside pending a full public inquiry into this extraordinarily serious matter and the allegations of corruption which have been made by a former Government Minister from her own Party.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Heading.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor McVeigh,

            Seconded by Councillor Hargey,

      That the motion, as proposed by Alderman R. Patterson, be amended to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “This Council” and the insertion of the following: “recognises the mounting public concern relating to the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and the serious allegations of incompetence, corruption and abuse. 

      The Council calls upon the First Minister to stand aside in order to facilitate an independent, time-framed, robust and transparent investigation and pending the findings and conclusions of the preliminary investigation.

      This investigation should be chaired by an independent judicial figure (“The Chairperson”) from outside this jurisdiction appointed by the Attorney General. The Chairperson should appoint other independent expert panel members with the requisite skills to assist the investigation. The Panel of Investigation should have the power to subpoena documents, compel witnesses and any other powers deemed necessary by the Panel of Investigation.

      On its completion, the report of the investigation should be made public and should not require the agreement of the First and Deputy First Ministers or the Attorney General.  A preliminary report should be made public within four weeks of its establishment.  The full report and its conclusions and findings should be made public within three months.”

On a recorded vote, eighteen Members voted for the amendment and thirty-six against and it was declared lost.

Further Amendment

            Moved by Councillor Dudgeon,

            Seconded by Councillor Johnston,

     That the motion, as proposed by Alderman R. Patterson, be amended to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “This Council” and the insertion of the following: “deplores the financial squander around the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.

      The Council agrees to write to the Secretary of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Councillor Heading to move:

"This Council notes the recent establishment of the Smart Pass Equality Campaign, endorses its call for the full fare concessionary travel pass to be issued to all people who are unable to drive for medical reason and agrees to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Finance urging them to implement this extension as soon as possible."

(To be debated by the Council)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Heading proposed:

      "This Council notes the recent establishment of the Smart Pass Equality Campaign, endorses its call for the full fare concessionary travel pass to be issued to all people who are unable to drive for medical reasons and agrees to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Finance urging them to implement this extension as soon as possible."

            The motion was seconded by Councillor McCusker.

            After discussion, the motion was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.

Councillor Boyle to move:

“This Council notes the slaughter of innocent men, women and children in Syria (Aleppo) and the displacement of millions of people.

This Council calls for Northern Ireland and the other Teams playing in the World Cup from these Islands to Boycott the World Cup that is to be played in Russia”.

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Boyle proposed:

      “This Council notes the slaughter of innocent men, women and children in Syria (Aleppo) and the displacement of millions of people.

      The Council calls for Northern Ireland and the other teams playing in the World Cup from these Islands to boycott the World Cup which is to be played in Russia.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Mullan.

            On a vote by show of hands five Members voted for the amendment and forty against and it was declared lost.

Councillor Collins to move:

“The Council notes that funding of the Citywide Tribunal Service ends as of December 2016. It recognises the important role this service has played in helping people across this city and understands that faced with the coming changes surrounding Welfare Reform, this service is needed now more than ever. The Council recognises also the ongoing efforts to secure alternative sources of funding, but also stresses the absolute necessity to continue this service and, therefore, pledges to retain Belfast City Council funding for this project until other sources of funding are secured."

(To be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Collins proposed:

      “This Council notes that funding of the Citywide Tribunal Service ends as of December 2016. It recognises the important role which this service has played in helping people across this City and understands that, faced with the coming changes surrounding Welfare Reform, this service is needed now more than ever. The Council recognises also the ongoing efforts to secure alternative sources of funding but also stresses the absolute necessity to continue this service and, therefore, pledges to retain Belfast City Council funding for this project until other sources of funding are secured."

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Milne.

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion was referred, without discussion, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.