Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Copeland), Alderman Browne and Councillors Beattie, Johnston, Kyle and Long.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor McAllister),

Seconded by Councillor O’Neill and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Council of 1st June and the special meeting of the Council of 6th June be taken as read and signed as correct.

            The Lord Mayor welcomed Councillor McReynolds, who had replaced the former Councillor Jones, to his first meeting of the Council and welcomed also Councillor Carson, following his return from surgery.

            The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, extended her deepest condolences to the families of those people who had lost their lives as a result of the recent fire in the Grenfell Tower in London.

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from two of the Political Parties of the following changes to Committees and Outside Bodies:

            Alliance Party

·        Councillor Nicholl to replace Councillor McDonough-Brown on the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Limited Shareholders’ Committee;

·        Councillor Howard to replace Councillor Armitage on the Licensing Committee;

·        Councillor Armitage to replace Councillor O’Neill on the People and Communities Committee;

·        Councillors McDonough-Brown and O’Neill to replace the Lord Mayor, Councillor McAllister, and former Councillor Jones on the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee; and

·        Councillor McReynolds to replace former Councillor Jones on the Licensing and People and Communities Committees.

            Democratic Unionist Party

·        Alderman Kingston to replace Alderman Spence on the City Growth and Regeneration Committee;

·        Councillors Craig and Hussey to replace Aldermen McCoubrey and Sandford on the Licensing Committee;

·        Alderman Spence to replace Councillor Hussey on the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee;

·        Councillor Dorrian to replace Councillor Newton on the George Best

City Airport Forum;

·        Councillor Hussey to replace Alderman Spence on Visit Belfast;

·        Alderman McCoubrey to replace Alderman McKee on the North Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership; and

·        Alderman Kingston to replace Alderman McCoubrey on the West Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

The Council approved the changes.

            The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received from a representative of the organisation Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse to address the Council in the context of the motion which Councillor Heading would be proposing later in the meeting on the Historical Institutional Child Abuse Inquiry.

            The Council agreed to accede to the request and Mr. C. Glass, Ms. M. McGuckian and Ms. U. McNeice were welcomed by the Lord Mayor.

            Ms. McGuckian informed the Council that Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse was a mutual support and campaign group of survivors and victims of institutional abuse in Northern Ireland. She explained that it was now some six months since the findings of Judge Hart’s Historical Institutional Child Abuse Inquiry had been presented to the Executive Office and voiced her concern at its delay in implementing the resulting recommendations. The Inquiry, she pointed out, had identified a failure by the government, churches, charities and other bodies to provide a duty of care to those young people who had been subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse in many institutions across Northern Ireland. She highlighted the significant issues which the majority of those young people had faced later in their life and urged the Council, as a matter of urgency, to lobby the Northern Ireland Assembly to progress Judge Hart’s recommendations or, in the absence of the Assembly, to request the Secretary of State to introduce legislation to establish a redress scheme for victims of institutional abuse.

            The deputation was thanked by the Lord Mayor and they left the meeting.

            The Council noted the information which had been provided and that Members would have an opportunity to discuss the issue later in the meeting.

            The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received from Mr. E. Hawkins, Chairman of Crumlin Star Football Club, to address the Council in relation to the People and Communities Committee’s decision of 13th June to refuse the club’s request to use the Strangford Avenue Playing Fields as its home venue. 

            The Council agreed to receive Mr. Hawkins and he was admitted to the meeting.

            Mr. Hawkins informed the Council that Crumlin Star Football Club, which had been formed in 1947, was one of the oldest clubs in North Belfast and fielded teams of all ages, across a number of leagues. He explained that, for more than ten years, the club had been working with the Council to secure a suitable pitch in the City on which to play its home games. He highlighted a number of venues in North Belfast which had been considered during that time but which, for various reasons, were unavailable, with the result that the club had been forced to travel to Larne to fulfil its home fixtures. In order to address the issue, it had, in 2016, sought the Council’s approval to play its home games on the Strangford Avenue Playing Fields in South Belfast, which had generated adverse publicity, particularly within social media, and had damaged the good reputation of the club.

            He drew the Council’s attention to a report which had, on several occasions, been presented to the People and Communities Committee, which had stated that funding of £50,000 would be required to upgrade the Strangford Avenue Playing Fields to Intermediate League standards and that it would be necessary to construct a pathway, at a cost of £10,000, around the perimeter of the pitch. He pointed out that a response from the Council to a Freedom of Information request on expenditure by the Council on similar pitches across the City had, in the club’s opinion, proven that the proposed cost of upgrading the Strangford Avenue Playing Fields was excessive and had not been researched fully. The response had indicated also that none of those pitches had had to have a pathway constructed around them as a condition of their use. He added that the aforementioned Committee report had stated also that the Irish Football Association was in the process of reviewing the criteria governing the use of Intermediate League grounds, however, he confirmed that had yet to be completed, which was further adding to the club’s difficulties in securing a pitch in Belfast.

            Mr. Hawkins informed the Council that it had been stated within meetings of the People and Communities Committee, and through other sources, that Crumlin Star Football Club would be required to make some level of investment in the Strangford Avenue Playing Fields. He pointed out that that was not the case and drew the Council’s attention to a further response to a Freedom of Information request which had indicated clearly that the Council had funded upgrades to a number of other pitches across the City, without the need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Moved by Councillor Hargey,

Seconded by Councillor Walsh,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic and Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd June be approved and adopted.

Exclusion of the Press and Public from the Meeting

Moved by the Councillor McVeigh,

Seconded by Council Hargey,

      That the Council agrees not to exclude the press and public from the meeting whilst the minute of the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd June, under the heading “Bonfire Inter-Agency Working”, was being considered.

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

            Prior to the minute being considered, the Chief Executive reminded the Council that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 23rd June, had agreed that she should lead an investigation and full review, with independent input, into the issue of the collection and storage of bonfire material and the future approach to bonfires across the City.

            Accordingly, she declared an interest in this matter and left the Council Chamber whilst it was under discussion and was replaced by the City Solicitor. 

Amendment

Bonfire Inter-Agency Working

Moved by Councillor McVeigh,

Seconded by Councillor Hargey and

      Resolved - That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd June, under the heading “Bonfire Inter-Agency Working”, be amended to provide for the adoption of the following Terms of Reference for the investigation and full review, led by the Chief Executive, with independent input, being undertaken into the issue of the collection and storage of bonfire material and the future approach to bonfires across the City:

      “The investigation is to be established under the direction of the Chief Executive, with independent assessment of the evidence and assurance to be given by an individual or individuals who may issue directions with regard to the production of documents and who may request direct interviews with any party having a role or interest in any matter relevant to the investigation. The independent element of the investigation will not be simply to review statements and other material but also to issue direction, based on their evidentiary and public interest disclosure role and toengage directly with the process in respect of the key issues relevant to the investigation, subject to the agreement of the Chief Executive. Prior to appointment of the independent element of the investigation, the Chief Executive will consult Party Group Leaders.

      The investigation will report through a restricted report to be tabled for consideration by the Strategic Policy and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To confirm the amendments to Standing Orders, as agreed by the Council on 1st June, in ratifying the minutes of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 19th May, subject to the omission of the amendment to Standing Order 47, which was rescinded by that Committee at its meeting on 23rd June. 

Moved by Councillor Hargey,

Seconded by Councillor Walsh and

      Resolved - That the Council agrees to confirm the amendments to Standing Orders, as agreed by the Council in ratifying the minutes of the Strategic and Policy and Resources Committee of 19th May, subject to the omission of the amendment to Standing Order 47, which was rescinded by the Committee at its meeting on 23rd June.

Moved by Alderman Sandford,

Seconded by Alderman McKee,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 13th June be approved and adopted.

Request for a Matter to be Taken

Back for Further Consideration

            Crumlin Star Re: Strangford Avenue

            Councillor McCabe requested that the Chairperson agree to the minute under the heading “Crumlin Star Re: Strangford Avenue” being taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            The Chairperson declined the request.

Amendment

Crumlin Star Re: Strangford Avenue

Moved by Councillor McCabe,

Seconded by Councillor Clarke,

      That the decision of the People and Communities Committee of 13th June, under the heading “Crumlin Star re: Strangford Avenue”, be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

            On a recorded vote, twenty-four Members voted for the amendment and twenty- eight against and it was declared lost.

Update on Boxing Strategy

            At the request of Alderman Kingston, the Council agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the People and Communities Committee outlining the level of support being provided within the Boxing Strategy to those clubs in the City which were affiliated to the Northern Ireland Boxing Association.

Update on Changing Places Facilities

         The Council agreed, at the request of Alderman McKee, that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the People and Communities Committee providing an update on the proposal within the Capital Programme to provide a changing places facility in the City Hall and examining the possibility of developing similar facilities at other locations throughout the City centre.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing additions, the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 13th June were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor O’Donnell,

Seconded by Councillor Magee, 

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 14th June be approved and adopted.

Gasworks Northern Fringe Masterplan

            Prior to this minute being considered, those Members of the Planning Committee who were present withdrew from the meeting until the matter had been concluded, on the basis of advice which they had received previously from the City Solicitor around a related planning application.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Hargey,

Seconded by Councillor O’Hara,

      That the decision of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 14th June, under the heading “Gasworks Northern Fringe Masterplan”, be rejected and accordingly that no outline planning application be submitted until the Committee has been provided with details of the housing levels to be included within the mixed-use development.

            On a recorded vote, nineteen Members voted for the amendment and twenty against and it was declared lost.

Adoption of Minutes

            The minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 14th June were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman Spence,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson and  

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 21st June, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Lyons,

Seconded by Councillor Armitage and

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

Moved by Councillor Walsh,

Seconded by the High Sheriff (Alderman Haire) and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. Shareholders’ Committee of 19th June be approved and adopted.

Proposed by Councillor McDonough-Brown,

Seconded by Councillor McVeigh,

"This Council agrees to develop and introduce an opt-in badging scheme which indicates which premises in Belfast are dog-friendly, so that customers can know where dogs are welcome in the City.”

(To be referred without discussion to the

People and Communities Committee)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor McDonough-Brown proposed:

"This Council agrees to develop and introduce an opt-in badging scheme which indicates which premises in Belfast are dog-friendly, so that customers can know where dogs are welcome in the City."

            The motion was seconded by Councillor McVeigh.

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

Proposed by Councillor Nicholl,

Seconded by Councillor Milne,

“This Council notes the motions passed in March, 2016 and January, 2017, recognising 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 political decision-making; considers it unacceptable that donations to political parties continue to remain secret in Northern Ireland; reiterates its calls on the Secretary of State to immediately lift the exemption to reveal all declared donations to political parties since January 2014; and calls on all political parties to voluntarily publish donations until this time."

(To be debated by the Council)

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

“This Council notes the motions passed in March, 2016 and January, 2017, recognising 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 political decision-making; considers it unacceptable that donations to political parties continue to remain secret in Northern Ireland; reiterates its calls on the Secretary of State to immediately lift the exemption to reveal all declared donations to political parties since January 2014; and calls on all political parties to voluntarily publish donations until this time."

The motion was seconded by Councillor Milne.

            At the request of Councillor Hargey, the proposer agreed to amend her motion to provide for the inclusion of the words “from £500 upwards” after the word “donations” in the penultimate line.

Amendment

            Moved by Alderman Rodgers,

            Seconded by Councillor Reynolds,

      That the motion under the heading “Donations to Political Parties, as proposed by Councillor Nicholl and seconded by Councillor Milne, as amended, be amended further to provide that the Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to introduce the same donations regime as that which operates in Great Britain.

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

            The original motion, as amended, was thereupon put to the meeting and passed.

Proposed by Councillor Attwood,

Seconded by Councillor Lyons,

“This Council:

·         expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims and families of the Kensington fire tragedy;

·         notes with concern that the cladding used in the refurbishment contributed to the disaster; and

·         notes that it has a statutory duty to enforce the Building Regulations standards, which includes requirements on health, structural stability and fire safety.

Accordingly, the Council calls upon the Department of Finance to undertake an immediate review of all fire safety requirements and guidance issued under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 to ensure that they are based upon the most recent developments in fire safety design and construction. 

The Council will provide advice to government, NIHE, housing providers and industry on any changes to the Regulations designed to protect the safety of residents in flats or other high rise buildings and will ensure that any changes to Building Regulations to protect the safety of residents in flats or other high rise buildings are enforced on all new developments or refurbishments across the City.”

(To be debated by the Council)

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

“This Council:

·        expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims and families of the Kensington fire tragedy;

·        notes with concern that the cladding used in the refurbishment contributed to the disaster; and

·        notes that it has a statutory duty to enforce the Building Regulations standards, which includes requirements on health, structural stability and fire safety.

Accordingly, the Council calls upon the Department of Finance to undertake an immediate review of all fire safety requirements and guidance issued under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 to ensure that they are based upon the most recent developments in fire safety design and construction. 

The Council will provide advice to government, NIHE, housing providers and industry on any changes to the Regulations designed to protect the safety of residents in flats or other high rise buildings and will ensure that any changes to Building Regulations to protect the safety of residents in flats or other high rise buildings are enforced on all new developments or refurbishments across the City.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Lyons.

            After discussion, the motion was put to the Council and passed.

Proposed by Councillor Heading,

Seconded by Councillor O’Neill,

“This Council notes that the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Child Abuse found that children's homes run by some churches, charities and state institutions in Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland were the scene of widespread abuse and mistreatment of young residents. 

The Council notes that Sir Anthon Hart, Chair of the Inquiry, recommended compensation, a memorial and a public apology to abuse survivors.

The Council expresses deep concern that, due to the failure to form a power-sharing government, there has been no progress into implementing the Hart HIA Redress Findings.

The Council agrees to write to political party leaders in Northern Ireland to ensure that, if an Executive is formed, the Inquiry's recommendations are implemented in full as a matter of urgency.”

(To be debated by the Council)

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

“This Council notes that the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Child Abuse found that children's homes run by some churches, charities and state institutions in Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland were the scene of widespread abuse and mistreatment of young residents. 

The Council notes that Sir Anthony Hart, Chair of the Inquiry, recommended compensation, a memorial and a public apology to abuse survivors.

The Council expresses deep concern that, due to the failure to form a power-sharing government, there has been no progress into implementing the Hart HIA Redress Findings.

The Council agrees to write to political party leaders in Northern Ireland to ensure that, if an Executive is formed, the Inquiry's recommendations are implemented in full as a matter of urgency.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor McReynolds.

            The Council agreed, at the request of the proposer, to amend the final paragraph of the motion to provide for the Council to write also to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

            At the request of Councillor Hargey, the proposer agreed to amend his motion to include the words “in consultation with the victims and survivors” at the end of the final paragraph.

            After discussion, the motion, as amended, was put to the Council and passed.

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

Proposed by Councillor Milne,

Seconded by Councillor Collins,

“This Council notes with grave concern that funding and support is directed towards a substantial number of businesses within Belfast which are actively engaged in the funding, design and manufacture of deadly weapons.  A number of these Belfast-based businesses will be offering support to, or exhibiting at, the world’s biggest arms and weapons fair, Defence and Security Equipment International (DESI), which will be held in London in September, 2017.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to write to both Invest NI and the Department for the Economy requesting that support for the weapons industry be withdrawn and redirected towards building a sustainable economy.”

(To be debated by the Council)

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

“This Council notes with grave concern that funding and support is directed towards a substantial number of businesses within Belfast which are actively engaged in the funding, design and manufacture of deadly weapons.  A number of these Belfast-based businesses will be offering support to, or exhibiting at, the world’s biggest arms and weapons fair, Defence and Security Equipment International (DESI), which will be held in London in September, 2017.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to write to both Invest NI and the Department for the Economy requesting that support for the weapons industry be withdrawn and redirected towards building a sustainable economy.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Collins.

            At the request of Councillor McVeigh, the proposer agreed to amend her motion to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “Department for the Economy” in the final paragraph and the insertion of the following: “seeking a meeting to discuss how we might help the companies concerned to contribute to a more sustainable economy.”

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