Agenda and minutes

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

Apologies were reported on behalf of Alderman R. Patterson and Councillor Milne. 

            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 special meeting and monthly meeting of the Council of 9th April, 2018 be taken as read and signed as correct.

            At the request of Councillor O’Hara, the Lord Mayor agreed to forward a letter of congratulations to St. Joseph’s Primary School, Slate Street, for being the first school in Northern Ireland to receive a ‘National Nurturing School Award’ for demonstrating exemplary practice in embedding a nurturing culture throughout the entire school.

To consider requests from Councilman Jim Shulman to address the Council to proclaim Nashville’s continued commitment to the Sister City Relationship with Belfast Nashville delegation; and

To consider a request from Mr. Jack Healy to address the Council in relation to Autism Awareness.

            The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received within the required seven days’ notice period from Councilmen J. Shulman and Hastings to be permitted to address the Council to proclaim Nashville’s continued commitment to the Sister City Relationship with Belfast.

            The Council agreed to accede to the request.

            Councilmen Shulman and Hastings were welcomed to the meeting. 

            Councilman Shulman expressed his appreciation of the special Sister City Relationship between Belfast and Nashville. He reminded Members that Nashville had been a sister city of Belfast for over 20 years and the Belfast-Nashville relationship had grown over time to include friendship, music, art, heritage and education.

            He informed the Council that Nashville was a loving community, a place that was growing and thriving, which reminded him of Belfast. He advised that this was his third visit to Belfast and he looked forward to learning from and listening to the people of Belfast. He highlighted that Belfast was an inspiration to the city of Nashville in its continued efforts to bring people together in peace.

            He thanked the Council and its staff for arranging the successful visit and, to commemorate the visit, presented the Lord Mayor with a piece of artwork from Nashville to show their appreciation for the Sister City Relationship.

            Councilmen Shulman and Hastings, together with the delegation from Nashville and Davidson County Council were thanked by the Lord Mayor for their attendance.

Autism Awareness

            The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received within the required seven days’ notice period from Mr. Healy to address the Council in relation to autism awareness.

            The Council agreed to accede to the request.

            The Lord Mayor welcomed Mr. Healy to the meeting. Mr. Healy advised that he wished to raise awareness of the problems faced by the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) community and explained that, being a member of that community, he had experienced problems with social interaction and communication. He suggested that every individual was unique in many ways and that applied equally to those who were on the spectrum and those regarded as neuro typical. He advised that his parents and primary school teacher had worked hard to achieve a diagnosis for him and he believed that early diagnosis and intervention was important. In relation to diagnosis, he suggested that there was a disconnect between the educational welfare system and the NHS which needed to be addressed urgently. He explained that upon receiving a statement of educational needs many helpful aids and support were put in place that benefited him greatly, which included the allocation of a classroom assistant and additional time to undertake examinations. He advised that he was due to graduate from the Belfast Metropolitan College with a foundation Degree in Software Engineering.

            He explained that he gets angry and frustrated when he experiences marginalisation and offensive comments from other people. He suggested that the Council and other legislative bodies could play a role in creating awareness, education and legislating to make the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

a)    Amendment to Standing Order 37(a) Duties of Committees – Strategic Policy and Resources Committee

In accordance with Standing Order 64, to pass, following the Committee’s decision of 27th April, a Resolution amending Standing Order 37(a) to read as follows: “In addition, the Committee shall have delegated authority for decisions in relation to the Bonfire Management Programme where the Chief Executive, or in her absence the Deputy Chief Executive, determine that a decision which would otherwise be taken under an officer’s delegated authority requires political direction.”

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Councillor Beattie, 

            That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 20th and 27th April be approved and adopted, subject to the decision of the Special Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 27th April under the heading “Designation of Belfast district as a ‘holiday resort” being altered to provide that the reason for the deferral is to enable a Summit to be hosted by the Council that would include key stakeholders such as the Trade Unions, business organisations such as the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Retail NI and the tourism sector and representatives of those shops who wish to have extended Sunday opening.

Request for a Matter to be Taken

Back for Further Consideration

            Land at Former Beechmount Leisure Centre Site

            Councillor Collins requested that the Chairperson agree to the minute under the heading “Land at Former Beechmount Leisure Centre Site” being taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            The Chairperson declined the request.

Amendment

Land at Former Beechmount Leisure Centre Site

            Moved by Councillor Collins,

            Seconded by Councillor Attwood,

            That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 20th April, under the heading “Land at Former Beechmount Leisure Centre Site”, be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

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

Adoption of Minutes

            The minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 20th and 27th April were thereupon approved and adopted.

Amendment to Standing Order 37(a)

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Councillor Hargey,

            Resolved - That the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 64, agrees to pass a  Resolution amending Standing Order 37(a) to read as follows:  “In addition, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee shall have delegated authority for decisions in relation to the  Bonfire Management Programme where the Chief Executive, or in her/his absence the Deputy Chief Executive,  determine that a decision which would otherwise be taken under an officer’s  delegated authority requires political direction.”

                (i)       As required under Phase IV of the Council’s Alleygating Scheme, to pass a resolution to make a Belfast City Council Traffic Regulation Order (Northern Ireland) 2017, which will come into effect on 1st May, 2018, prohibiting the use by vehicles and pedestrians of those streets, as set out within the minute of the meeting of the People and Communities Committee of 12th April, 2018. (page C916-C921 refers.)

Moved by Alderman Sandford,

Seconded by Councillor Carson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 12th and 16th April, 2018 be approved and adopted.

Street Naming

            At the request of Councillor Canavan, the Council agreed that a report be submitted to a future Committee in relation to a dual language street naming request that had been submitted by the Developer in respect of Rose Street, off Springfield Avenue, for Legal Services to clarify if the request could be facilitated.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing addition, the minutes of the meeting of the People and Communities Committee of 12th and 16th April were thereupon approved and adopted.

Resolution: Belfast City Council Traffic

Regulation Orders (Northern Ireland) 2017

Moved by Alderman Sandford,

Seconded by Alderman Spence,

      Resolved - That the Council agrees to pass a resolution to make a Belfast City Council Traffic Regulation Order (Northern Ireland) 2017, which will come into  effect on  1st May, 2018, prohibiting the use by vehicles and pedestrians of  those streets as set out within the minute of the meeting of the People and  Communities Committee of 12th April, 2018.

a

Moved by Councillor O’Donnell,

Seconded by Councillor Dudgeon,  

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 11th April be approved and adopted.

European Capital of Culture Legacy Programme

            At the request of Councillor Dudgeon, the Council agreed that a workshop for all Members be organised in relation to rate setting, to discuss the trends on rates income, spend, enforcement, exceptions and the delays in reform, including funding for major programmes such as culture. 

Adoption of Minutes

         Subject to the foregoing addition, the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 11th April were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman Spence,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson,

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 18th April, omitting matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Lyons,

Seconded by Councillor Armitage, 

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 17th April, omitting matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Proposed by Alderman McGimpsey,

Seconded by Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Copeland,

“This Council, recognising that under the terms of the Children’s Funeral Fund, Councils in England and Wales do not charge parents the costs of burials or cremations. Accordingly, the Council agrees to waive all charges and costs relating to those services for children up to the age of eighteen.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the People and Communities Committee)

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

“This Council, recognising that under the terms of the Children’s Funeral Fund, Councils in England and Wales do not charge parents the costs of burials or cremations.  Accordingly, the Council agrees to waive all charges and costs relating to those services for children up to the age of eighteen.”

            The motion was seconded by Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Copeland.

            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 Alderman Browne,

"This Council notes that on 7th April, 2018 hundreds of leisure workers and their supporters marched along the Falls and Shankill roads to highlight concerns about job losses. The Council also notes the trade union demonstration today, which called for the protection of our leisure services and raised the demand to bring leisure services back fully under Belfast City Council control. The Council recognises that since the outsourcing of leisure services some years ago serious concerns have emerged about the running of leisure in Belfast.  The Council is opposed to any job losses, erosion of workers terms and conditions or price hikes as part of the leisure transformation programme. The Council tasks the Chief Executive and the officer team to explore the options in relation to the future provision of leisure services, including the feasibility of bringing the service back under council control at some time in the future.”

(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 that on 7th April, 2018 hundreds of leisure workers and their supporters marched along the Falls and Shankill roads to highlight concerns about job losses. The Council also notes the trade union demonstration today, which called for the protection of our leisure services and raised the demand to bring leisure services back fully under Belfast City Council control. The Council recognises that since the outsourcing of leisure services some years ago serious concerns have emerged about the running of leisure in Belfast.  The Council is opposed to any job losses, erosion of workers terms and conditions or price hikes as part of the leisure transformation programme. The Council tasks the Chief Executive and the officer team to explore the options in relation to the future provision of leisure services, including the feasibility of bringing the service back under council control at some time in the future.”

            The motion was seconded by Alderman Browne.

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

Proposed by Councillor O’Neill,

Seconded by Councillor Nicholl,

"This council stands by women from all backgrounds and political persuasions to be able to express themselves on social media without the risk of misogynistic or sexist abuse.

As a council, we call on Twitter and other social mediums to address the failure of their companies to meet their responsibilities regarding the threats of violence and abuse directed at women.  These failures mean that many feel they are no longer able to express themselves freely on social media platforms without fear of attacks.”

(To be debated at Council)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor O’Neill proposed:

"This council stands by women from all backgrounds and political persuasions to be able to express themselves on social media without the risk of misogynistic or sexist abuse.

As a council, we call on Twitter and other social mediums to address the failure of their companies to meet their responsibilities regarding the threats of violence and abuse directed at women.  These failures mean that many feel they are no longer able to express themselves freely on social media platforms without fear of attacks.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Nicholl.

            At the request of Councillor Mullan, the proposer agreed that the motion be amended to include the insertion of the following:  “This Council agrees to write to Twitter and Facebook to request a meeting with representatives to highlight the Council’s concerns.”

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

Proposed by the Lord Mayor, Councillor McAllister,

Seconded by Councillor Long,

"This Council acknowledges the ever growing importance of relations between Belfast City and Dublin City as the main economic drivers within each jurisdiction. Furthermore, regardless of the outcome of negotiations around Brexit, it is imperative that relations continue to flourish between both cities, to the mutual benefit of all along this increasingly significant economic corridor.

Accordingly, this Council agrees to establish a joint plan around co-operation regarding working relationships within the economic corridor. Going forward, this Council commits to ensuring key areas of progress and collaboration focussing on:

·         A complementary approach to inward investment and job growth;

·         Achieving Inclusive growth; and

·         Developing Infrastructure and connectivity.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee)

Proposed by the Lord Mayor, Councillor McAllister,

Seconded by Councillor Long,

"This Council acknowledges the ever growing importance of relations between Belfast City and Dublin City as the main economic drivers within each jurisdiction. Furthermore, regardless of the outcome of negotiations around Brexit, it is imperative that relations continue to flourish between both cities, to the mutual benefit of all along this increasingly significant economic corridor.

Accordingly, this Council agrees to establish a joint plan around co-operation regarding working relationships within the economic corridor. Going forward, this Council commits to ensuring key areas of progress and collaboration focussing on:

·        A complementary approach to inward investment and job growth;

·        Achieving Inclusive growth; and

·        Developing Infrastructure and connectivity.”

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