Agenda and minutes

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Alderman R. Patterson and Councillors Craig, Hutchinson, Magennis and Newton.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor McAllister),

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Copeland) and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 3rd January be taken as read and signed as correct.

To affirm the Council’s decision of 3^rd January to pass a Resolution amending Standing Order 30 to read as follows: “A Member shall not impute motives or use offensive expression in reference to any person or section of society, including any such expression that shows contempt in relation to their race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief, age or disability.”

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor McAllister),

Seconded by Councillor O’Hara,

      That the Council agrees to confirm its decision of 3rd January to pass a Resolution amending Standing Order 30 to read as follows: “A Member shall not impute motives or use offensive expression in reference to any person or section of society, including any such expression that shows contempt in relation to their race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief, age or disability.”

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Dudgeon,

Seconded by Councillor Johnston,

      That the decision of the Council of 3rd January to pass a Resolution amending Standing Order 30 be amended to provide that:

                                i.     the current Standing Order be renumbered as 30.1; and

                               ii.     a new Standing Order, numbered 30.2, be adopted, to read as follows:

“When a Member makes offensive reference to any section of the Belfast community in relation to their legally protected background or attribute, then other Members (whether or not they have already spoken in the debate) shall forthwith have the right to speak in challenge to such offensive reference and the Member making such offensive reference shall give way in the debate for the purpose of affording other Members challenge”.

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

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Reynolds,

Seconded by Councillor Hussey and

      Resolved - That the decision of the Council of 3rd January to pass a Resolution amending Standing Order 30 be amended to provide for the insertion of the word ‘grossly’ after the word use and before the word offensive in the proposed wording, thereby reading as follows:

      “A Member shall not impute motives or use grossly offensive expression in reference to any person or section of society, including any such expression that shows contempt in relation to their race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief, age or disability.”

Councillor McVeigh              The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, welcomed Councillor Murphy, who had replaced former Councillor McCabe, and Councillor Pankhurst, who had replaced former Alderman McKee, to their first meeting.

            The Lord Mayor reported that Councillor Hutchinson was recovering from surgery and extended to him her best wishes for a speedy recovery.

            The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, extended her condolences to Mr. Stephen McCrory, Democratic Services Manager, on the death of his mother, Edith.

            The Lord Mayor invited Members to attend an event which she would be hosting in the Parlour at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 6th February to mark the Centenary of the Representation of the People Act.

            The Lord Mayor thanked those Council staff who had contributed to the success of the various events which had taken place around the conferral of the Freedom of the City on Sir Kenneth Branagh.

            At the request of Councillor Attwood, the Council condemned a recent spate of punishment attacks across the City.

            At the request of Councillor Campbell, the Council extended its condolences to the family of Mr. Michael Cullen and thanked those Council staff and others from across the City who had been involved in searches of the Cave Hill area since his disappearance.

            The Lord Mayor referred to the fact that this would be the last meeting which would be attended by Councillor McVeigh, as he would be resigning from the Council on the following day.

            Councillor Hargey highlighted the contribution which the Councillor had made during his time on the Council and, together with a number of Members, wished him well in the future.

(To consider requests from a representative of the Belfast Islamic Community and of the Belfast Jewish Community to address the Council in relation to the motion on Inter-Faith being proposed by Councillor Armitage.)

            The Chief Executive reported that requests had been received from Mrs. N. Green and Dr. S. Baillie seeking approval for representatives of the City’s Islamic and Jewish communities respectively, to address the Council in advance of the motion on Inter-Faith, which Councillor Armitage would be proposing later in the meeting.

            The Council acceded to the request and Dr. Baillie, Mr. M. Black and Mr. N. Finch, representing the Jewish community, together with Mrs. Green, Mrs. P. Kashif and Mr. Z. Kashif, representing the Islamic community, were welcomed by the Lord Mayor.

            Dr. Baillie informed the Council that there had been a Jewish presence in Northern Ireland since the 1860s and referred to a number of members of the Jewish community who had since then made a significant contribution to the arts, business, law, medicine and politics. She stated that the Jewish community respected the religion and beliefs of others and pointed out that the synagogue had hosted many inter-faith events and had an active council, comprised of both Christians and Jews. She added that the Jewish community was building good relations with their Muslim counterparts and that she and Mr. Black had visited the Belfast Islamic Centre and Dr. Wasif Naeem, the Chairman of the Centre, had participated in events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

            Dr. Baillie referred to a number of recent attacks against the Islamic and Jewish faiths, as alluded to by Councillor Armitage within his motion, and thanked those who had condemned those attacks and had offered their support. She provided a definition of the term anti-Semitism and concluded by emphasising that the Jewish community was committed to the values of tolerance and mutual understanding and wished to affirm its common humanity with those of other faiths.    

            The Lord Mayor thanked Dr. Baillie and invited Mr. Kashif to address the Council on behalf of the Islamic community.

            Mr. Kashif provided information around the settlement of Muslims in Ireland throughout the years. He reported that there were now approximately 6,000 Muslims living in Northern Ireland and highlighted in particular the contribution which they had made and were making to the academic and medical sectors and the eminent awards which they had attained. In recent years, the local Muslim community had been joined by a number of asylum seekers and refugees, who had embraced the opportunity to rebuild their lives and were keen to make a meaningful contribution to the communities which had welcomed them.

            Mr. Kashif drew the Council’s attention to the significant role which the Belfast Islamic Centre had played since its establishment in 1978 and confirmed that it was now used by Muslims from forty-two countries of origin. He highlighted the fact that local Muslims had been founder members of the Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum and that they were now working with the Jewish community and with Clonard Peace and Reconciliation Mission to develop a Three-Faiths Forum, with the aim of counteracting hate and challenging misconceptions and creating a platform where people of different  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

            Democratic Unionist Party

·        Councillor Hussey to replace Alderman L. Patterson on the City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

            Sinn Féin

·        Councillor O’Hara to replace Councillor Carson on the Licensing Committee;

·        Councillors Baker and Carson to replace Councillors Beattie and Garrett on the People and Communities Committee; and

·        Councillors Carson and Garrett to replace Councillors McVeigh and Murphy on the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Council approved the changes.

Positions of Responsibility

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Sinn Féin Party indicating that it wished:

·        Councillor Garrett to replace Councillor Hargey as Chairperson of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee;

·        Councillor O’Hara to replace Councillor Carson as Deputy Chairperson of the Licensing Committee; and

·        Councillor Carson to replace Councillor Garrett as Deputy Chairperson of the People and Communities Committee.

            The Council approved the appointments.

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Councillor O’Neill,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 5th and 19th January be approved and adopted.

Request for a Matter to be Taken

Back for Further Consideration

Rate Setting 2018/2019

            Councillor Mullan requested that the Chairperson agree to the minute of the meeting of 19th January, under the heading “Rate Setting 2018/2019” being taken back to a special meeting of the Committee for further consideration.

            The Chairperson declined the request.

Amendment

Rate Setting 2018/2019

Moved by Councillor Mullan,

Seconded by Councillor Boyle,

That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 19th January, under the heading “Rate Setting 2018/2019”, be referred back to a special meeting of the Committee for further consideration, with the meeting to be held prior to the deadline for the setting of the rates.

            On a recorded vote, four Members voted for the amendment and forty-eight against, with one “no vote” and it was declared lost.

Amendment

Motion – Audio Recording of

Area Based Working Groups

Moved by Councillor Dudgeon,

Seconded by Councillor Johnston,

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 19th January, under the heading “Motion – Audio Recording of Area Based Working Groups”, be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

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

Amendment

Féile an Phobail 30th Anniversary Events

Moved by Councillor Reynolds,

Seconded by Alderman Rodgers,

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 19th January, under the heading “Féile an Phobail 30th Anniversary Events”, be rejected and accordingly the Council agrees not to approve the proposal to avail of the cash flow and to fund upfront costs of £300,000 for the event.

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

In light of the legal opinion received, to adopt the minute of the meeting of 20thOctober, 2017, under the heading “City Centre Social Outcomes Fund Update – Proposed Recasting to Support the City’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure”, which was called in.

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Councillor Walsh,

      That the minute of the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 20th October, under the heading “City Centre Social Outcomes Fund Update – Proposed Recasting to Support the City’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure”, which had been called in, be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Attwood,

Seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown,

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 20th October, under the heading “City Centre Social Outcomes Fund Update – Proposed Recasting to Support the City’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure”, be amended to provide that the Council agrees that the £4 million City Centre Social Outcomes Fund be aligned to support community tourism and agrees also that there be an open call for projects to be supported under the community tourism fund, based upon an evidence and outcomes based accountability process.

            On a recorded vote, twenty-two Members voted for the amendment and twenty-nine against, with one “no vote”, and it was declared lost.

Adoption of Minute

            The minute of the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 20th October, under the heading “City Centre Social Outcomes Fund Update – Proposed Recasting to Support the City’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure”, was thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman Sandford,

Seconded by Alderman Rodgers and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 9th January be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor O’Donnell,

Seconded by Councillor McAteer, 

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 10th and 24th January be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Belfast Rapid Transport

Moved by Councillor Kyle,

Seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown,

      That the decision of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 10th January, under the heading “Belfast Rapid Transport”, be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

            On a recorded vote, fourteen Members voted for the amendment and thirty against, with seven “no votes”, and it was declared lost.

Adoption of Minutes

            The minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 10th and 24th January were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman Spence,

Seconded by Councillor Carson and 

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 17th January, 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 16th January, 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 Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Copeland) and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. Shareholders’ Committee of 22nd January, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Proposed by the High Sheriff (Councillor Howard),

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Copeland),

“This Council supports making Belfast a Dementia Friendly City and, by doing so, would envisage each business and transport provider signing up to having a Dementia Champion and to take part in Dementia awareness training.” 

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

People and Communities Committee)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, the High Sheriff (Councillor Howard) proposed:

“This Council supports making Belfast a Dementia Friendly City and, by doing so, would envisage each business and transport provider signing up to having a Dementia Champion and to take part in Dementia awareness training.” 

            The motion was seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Copeland).

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

(The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Copeland, in the Chair.)

Proposed by Councillor Boyle,

Seconded by Councillor Mullan,

"This Council believes that Belfast should be a place where everyone feels welcome and safe, where they are treated fairly and with respect in a shared City that values diversity and encourages civic participation.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to provide in the City Hall a quiet room/room of reflection which can be used by persons of all faiths and none to facilitate those citizens of Belfast and further afield who wish to have a private time out of the hustle and bustle of City life.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

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

"This Council believes that Belfast should be a place where everyone feels welcome and safe, where they are treated fairly and with respect in a shared City that values diversity and encourages civic participation.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to provide in the City Hall a quiet room/room of reflection which can be used by persons of all faiths and none to facilitate those citizens of Belfast and further afield who wish to have a private time out of the hustle and bustle of City life.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Mullan

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

Proposed by Councillor Armitage,

Seconded by Councillor Lyons,

“This Council recognises the long history of all faiths in Belfast.  The Council also appreciates the positive investment that each faith has placed in the City and celebrates the diverse cultural heritage that has been produced by all faiths and acknowledges the role of social justice that has enhanced Belfast.

As a City, we are keen to recognise the equality of all faiths, as well as those who describe themselves as atheists or agnostic.

It saddens this Council to see recent anti-religious actions, especially against the Jewish Faith and the Islamic Faith, and so we would like to honour the work of all faiths by inviting them to attend a civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

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

“This Council recognises the long history of all faiths in Belfast.  The Council also appreciates the positive investment that each faith has placed in the City and celebrates the diverse cultural heritage that has been produced by all faiths and acknowledges the role of social justice that has enhanced Belfast.

As a City, we are keen to recognise the equality of all faiths, as well as those who describe themselves as atheists or agnostic.

It saddens this Council to see recent anti-religious actions, especially against the Jewish Faith and the Islamic Faith, and so we would like to honour the work of all faiths by inviting them to attend a civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Lyons.

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

(The Lord Mayor, Councillor McAllister, in the Chair.)

Proposed by Alderman Rodgers,

Seconded by Councillor Johnston,

"This Council recognises the need for openness, transparency and accountability in how it transacts its business.  In order for this to happen, the Council agrees to audio record all meetings of Council Working Groups not presently included in the policy, namely:

• Audit and Risk Panel
• Budget and Transformation Panel
• Party Leaders' Forum
• North Foreshore Members' Steering Group
• Reference Group on Older People
• Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Development Working Group
• Shared City Partnership and
• Historic Working Group.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

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

"This Council recognises the need for openness, transparency and accountability in how it transacts its business.  In order for this to happen, the Council agrees to audio record all meetings of Council Working Groups not presently included in the policy, namely:

·        Audit and Risk Panel

·        Budget and Transformation Panel

·        Party Leaders' Forum

·        North Foreshore Members' Steering Group

·        Reference Group on Older People

·        Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Development Working Group

·        Shared City Partnership and

·        Historic Working Group.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Johnston.

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

Proposed by Councillor Dorrian,

Seconded by Councillor Lyons,

“This Council recognises the concerns of many communities across Belfast in respect to ‘problem parking’ in their neighbourhoods, primarily during day time work hours, and recognises the need for further substantive engagement to address and resolve this issue.

To date, strategies and campaigns have had minimal impact in solving these communities’ difficulties.

In mind of ambitious investment and expansion plans contained in the Belfast Agenda, the Council calls for immediate, co-ordinated action to improve parking measures and notes the lack of enforcement action to date with respect to bus and cycle lanes. 

This motion also reaffirms the Council’s commitment to full implementation of its car parking strategy, delivering proper parking infrastructure and taking appropriate action against those who show daily disregard for local communities.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

City Growth and Regeneration Committee)

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

“This Council recognises the concerns of many communities across Belfast in respect to ‘problem parking’ in their neighbourhoods, primarily during day time work hours, and recognises the need for further substantive engagement to address and resolve this issue.

To date, strategies and campaigns have had minimal impact in solving these communities’ difficulties.

In mind of ambitious investment and expansion plans contained in the Belfast Agenda, the Council calls for immediate, co-ordinated action to improve parking measures and notes the lack of enforcement action to date with respect to bus and cycle lanes. 

This motion also reaffirms the Council’s commitment to full implementation of its car parking strategy, delivering proper parking infrastructure and taking appropriate action against those who show daily disregard for local communities.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Lyons.

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

Proposed by Councillor Nicholl,

Seconded by Councillor Long,

“This Council commits to seeking ways to better support people with anaphylaxis living within and visiting the City, including by considering ways to help raise awareness of the condition and reviewing support and facilities available for them in Council amenities.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

People and Communities Committee)

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

“This Council commits to seeking ways to better support people with anaphylaxis living within and visiting the City, including by considering ways to help raise awareness of the condition and reviewing support and facilities available for them in Council amenities.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor O’Neill.

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

Proposed by Councillor Milne,

Seconded by Councillor Kyle,

“This Council notes that many cities in the UK and Ireland are taking action against plastic waste by implementing free water refill points.  Notably, Bristol has been implementing a very successful refill scheme since 2015, and London has recently pledged to increase the availability of water refill points to help limit the amount of recyclable waste sent to landfill.

Not only will increasing the provision of free water refill points help reduce plastic waste, but increased access to water can contribute towards people living a healthier lifestyle.

The Council, therefore, agrees to assess the feasibility of implementing a bottle refill initiative.  Additionally, it will write to the Belfast Chamber of Commerce seeking to determine whether local shops and businesses can work together to provide access to public drinking water.  This could potentially increase footfall within local businesses and even further improve the public relations impact of our business community.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

People and Communities Committee)

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

“This Council notes that many cities in the UK and Ireland are taking action against plastic waste by implementing free water refill points.  Notably, Bristol has been implementing a very successful refill scheme since 2015, and London has recently pledged to increase the availability of water refill points to help limit the amount of recyclable waste sent to landfill.

Not only will increasing the provision of free water refill points help reduce plastic waste, but increased access to water can contribute towards people living a healthier lifestyle.

The Council, therefore, agrees to assess the feasibility of implementing a bottle refill initiative.  Additionally, it will write to the Belfast Chamber of Commerce seeking to determine whether local shops and businesses can work together to provide access to public drinking water.  This could potentially increase footfall within local businesses and even further improve the public relations impact of our business community.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Kyle.

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

Proposed by Councillor Collins,

Seconded by Councillor Milne,

"This Council notes with deep concern news that potential job losses are being considered across leisure services in 2018. In line with the trades union movement, the Council is opposed to any job losses as part of the leisure transformation programme, whether through voluntary or involuntary redundancy.

“Furthermore, the Council believes that it is vital that staff are protected and allowed to retain their terms and conditions throughout the leisure transformation programme. To this end, the Council is deeply concerned that, in regards to Andersonstown Leisure Centre, management are effectively preventing staff from returning to their workplace under their former terms and conditions. The Council considers it crucial that staff should be afforded the right to return to Andersonstown Leisure Centre after the redevelopment and under their current employment contracts, with no changes to their terms and conditions, if they so wish to.” 

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

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

"This Council notes with deep concern news that potential job losses are being considered across leisure services in 2018. In line with the trades union movement, the Council is opposed to any job losses as part of the leisure transformation programme, whether through voluntary or involuntary redundancy.

Furthermore, the Council believes that it is vital that staff are protected and allowed to retain their terms and conditions throughout the leisure transformation programme. To this end, the Council is deeply concerned that, in regards to Andersonstown Leisure Centre, management are effectively preventing staff from returning to their workplace under their former terms and conditions. The Council considers it crucial that staff should be afforded the right to return to Andersonstown Leisure Centre after the redevelopment and under their current employment contracts, with no changes to their terms and conditions, if they so wish to.” 

            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.