Agenda and minutes

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported on behalf of Alderman McCoubrey and Councillor McCusker.

            Alderman Copelanddeclared an interest in relation to the item “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutes, in that her daughter worked for an organisation that was a potential delivery partner.

            Councillor Beattie declared an interest in relation to the item “Social Supermarket Funding – Update” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that he was employed by an organisation which was a potential recipient of the funding.

            Councillor Bradleydeclared an interest in relation to the item “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutes, in that she was an employee of the Healthy Living Centre.

            Councillor Canavandeclared an interest in relation to the item “Social Supermarket Funding – Update” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that she was a Committee Member of one of the potential delivery partners.

            Councillor Gormley declared an interest in relation to the item “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutes, in that he was a board member of LORAG which was one of the strategic partners for delivery of the scheme.

            Councillor Groogan declared an interest in relation to the items “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutesand “Social Supermarket Funding – Update” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that she was employed by one of the strategic partners for delivery of the scheme, Forward South Partnership and that she would therefore leave and not take part in the discussion on the item.

            Councillor Hutchinsondeclared an interest in relation to the items “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutes and “Social Supermarket Funding – Update” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that he worked for an organisation that line managed one of the strategic partners.

            Councillor McKeown declared an interest in relation to the item “Physical Programme and Asset Management” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that his son played for a mini soccer team.

            Councillor McLoughlindeclared an interest in relation to the item “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutes, in that his cousin was employed by a strategic partner and that he would therefore leave and not take part in the discussion on the item.

            Councillor Thompsondeclared an interest in relation to the items “Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund” and “Update on Area Working Groups” within the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minutes, in that she was a Board Member of the Greater Shankill Community Council.

            Councillor Verner declared an interest in relation to the item “Social Supermarket Funding – Update” within the People and Communities Committee minutes, in that she was employed the Greater Shankill Partnership who was a Strategic Partner, and that she would therefore leave and not take part in the discussion on the item.

            Councillor Whyte declared an interest in relation to the item “Ulster University and Queen’s University” within the City Growth and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Amendments

            Councillor M. Kelly pointed out that, at the meeting of the Council of 1st December, she had declared an interest, which had not been recorded, in the Motion – Translink – Night-time Provision of Services, in that she worked for an organisation that Translink regularly consulted with.

            Councillor Gormley requested a correction under the official announcements of the minute of the meeting of the Council of 1st December, whereby he had offered congratulations to Mr. Mark Sykes, whose name had been misspelled.

            Councillor Maghie pointed out that her attendance at the meeting of the Council of 1st December had not been recorded, and that she had belatedly joined the meeting remotely.

            The Council agreed that the minutes be varied accordingly; and

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Black),

Seconded by Councillor McLaughlin and

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 1st and 7th December, be taken as read and signed as correct.

Adoption of Minutes

            The minutes of the proceedings of the Council of 1st and 7th December were thereupon approved and adopted, subject to the foregoing amendments.

Welcome

            The Lord Mayor welcomed Councillor Doran to his first meeting of the Council.

            The Lord Mayor also agreed to Councillor de Faoite’s request that she write to Mr. Joe Kennedy III to welcome his appointment as the US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland.

Best Wishes

            Alderman Rodgers and Councillor McCullough paid tribute to former Councillor Dale Pankhurst who had recently stepped down and wished him well in his future endeavours.

            Alderman Rodgers brought to the Council’s attention that former Lord Mayor, Eric Smith, had been in hospital and the Lord Mayor acceded to his request to write to Mr. Smith to extend the Council’s best wishes.

            Alderman Rodgers also thanked Councillor Hussey for his term as High Sheriff.

Condolences

            The Lord Mayor and Cllr Magee paid tribute to former Councillor Mr. Bobby Lavery and offered condolences to his family upon his recent death.

            She also stated that she had been saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former Council employee, Alan Stewart, and passed on her sympathy and condolences to Alan’s family.

            The Lord Mayor, in response to a request from Councillor Walsh, agreed to write to the family of Irish language activist, Mr. Diarmuid Ó Tuama, to offer condolences on behalf of the Council upon his recent death.

Congratulations

            The Lord Mayor offered congratulations to Deputy Registrar, Winnie McConnell, who had been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to local government.

            Alderman Copeland and Councillor Lyons offered congratulations to Councillor Kyle as the incoming High Sheriff.  Councillor Kyle stated that it was a great honour to be nominated as High Sherriff.

            Councillor T. Kelly congratulated Mr. Brian Armstrong, who had become a Guinness World Record holder after completing fifty half triathlons and the Lord Mayor agreed to write to Mr. Armstrong, on behalf of the Council, to offer congratulations. 

            Councillor Verner congratulated Ms. Mary Montgomery, Principal of Boys Model Secondary School, and Ms. Debbie Watters, Co-Director of Greater Shankill Alternatives, on receiving Orders of the British Empire (OBEs) in the new year honours list.

            Councillor Maghie congratulated the Northern Ireland Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team on their recent establishment and the Lord Mayor agreed to write to the team to convey the Council’s best wishes for the future.

            The Lord Mayor agreed to Alderman Rodgers’ request that a letter would be sent to congratulate former professional football, Mr. Pat Jennings, who had been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the new year’s honours list.

Gender Based Violence

            The Lord Mayor condemned the recent murders of Natalie McNally and Bruna Fonseca and offered condolences to their families, friends and local communities. 

            Several Members concurred with the Lord Mayor’s sentiments and she stated, in response to Alderman Copeland’s comments, that she would write to the Northern Ireland Executive for an update on the proposed strategy to end violence against women and girls, and that a meeting would be convened by the Lord Mayor to discuss the issue.

            The Chief Executive reported that two requests to address the Council had been received, the first from Ms. Clare Mullaly from End Deportations Belfast and Ms. Kellie Turtle from Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice to address the Council meeting in relation to their ongoing campaign regarding the living conditions of pregnant asylum seekers and refugees.  The second was from Mr. Chris Eisenstadt from BookTrust – in relation to a motion on an Imagination Library

            The Council acceded to the requests and, accordingly, Ms. Clare Mullaly from End Deportations Belfast, together with Ms. Kellie Turtle from Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice, were welcomed by the Lord Mayor.

            Ms. Turtle explained that Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice was one of three organisations that were campaigning on the issue of the detention of pregnant women at Larne House, a short-term holding facility. 

            She said that it had come to light through freedom of information requests that, between June 2016 and June 2022, eight pregnant women had been held at Larne House, and that the issue was of great concern.  She stated that reproductive justice meant creating a society where the reproductive rights and health of women and pregnant people were fully available to all without discrimination and included the right to have save and dignified pregnancy and birth and have babies born into safe environments.

            She stated that it was unacceptable to have pregnant people in detention in Larne House on the basis of their immigration status, which would mean that they are cut off from all statutory health services and would only receive care from a private healthcare provider, Mighty, who operate the facility on behalf of the Home Office.

            She explained that most individuals who passed through the UK immigration detention system were subsequently released back into the community, with their detention having served no purpose and to subject pregnant people and their babies to risk for no clear purpose, was not acceptable.

             She concluded by stating that there had been clear consensus that the dehumanising treatment of marginalised people was not acceptable and that there was a need for alternatives to detention.  She said that Belfast City Council had a part to play  and asked for commitment to being part of the process in developing community based alternatives to prevent pregnant people being detained in Larne House.

            Ms. Mullaly stated that Larne House, as a short-term holding facility and according to the UK Home Office, immigration detention should only be used to detain an individual immediately prior to their scheduled deportation, however, she explained, that the reality was different and, in 2022, only fourteen percent of individuals detained were eventually deported.

            She informed the Council that alternatives to detention existed and that Action Foundations’ alternative to detention pilot, run in conjunction with the UK Home Office, identified an humane alternative to detention with no decrease in compliance to immigration rules.

            She pointed out that the geography of Northern Ireland provided an ideal region for alternatives to detention and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of the following changes in membership:

·        Councillor Thompson to replace former Councillor Pankhurst on the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee;

·        Councillor Verner to replace Councillor Bunting as Deputy Chairperson on the People and Communities Committee;

·        Alderman Haire to replace former Councillor Pankhurst on the Standards and Business Committee;

·        Councillor Cobain to replace former Councillor Pankhurst on the Cathedral Quarter Trust; and

·        Councillor McCullough to replace former Councillor Pankhurst on the North Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

            The Council noted the changes.

            Moved by Councillor McDonough-Brown,

            Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 16th December, 2022, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund

            Moved by Councillor Flynn

            Seconded by Councillor Kyle and

            Resolved – “That the Council agrees that the All-Party Cost-of-Living Task Group be re-established, to discuss the challenges and learnings of the scheme, that would be considered should a similar scheme be required in winter 2023.”

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendment, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 16th December were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Murray,

Seconded by Councillor Donnelly,

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

Pitch Partner Agreement – Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park

            At the request of Councillor de Faoite, the City Solicitor agreed to provide a report to the People and Communities Committee with regards to any previous partnership agreements which may have been withdrawn and to consider a review of the provisions of partnership agreements.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing additions, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic People and Communities Committee of 6th December were thereupon approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Murphy,

Seconded by Councillor Duffy 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 Matt Collins,

Seconded by Councillor McLaughlin and

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

Moved by Councillor Whyte,

Seconded by Councillor Maskey and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 19th December, 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 Councillor McCabe and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Climate and City Resilience Committee of 8th December, 2022 be approved and adopted.

            Moved by Councillor Hanvey,

            Seconded by Councillor Duffy and

      Resolved - That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Standards and Business Committee of 5th January, 2023, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.