Agenda and minutes

Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillor Graham.

            The minutes of the meeting of 12th September were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st October.

No declarations of interest were recorded.

            The Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, expressed his sympathy and condolences to Councillor Graham on the recent death of her mother.

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. Steve Harper, Executive Director for International Business at Invest NI, to the meeting.

            Mr. Harper explained that the International Division in Invest NI involved both attracting inward investment, from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and promoting outward trade from Northern Ireland to the rest of the world.  He outlined Invest NI’s International Strategy for 2017-2021 and explained that their three key focuses internationally were supporting businesses which were exporting for the first time, assisting existing businesses in scaling up their export intensity, and working with businesses to ensure that they would stand out in international markets.

            He provided the Committee with an overview of the aims of the Strategy, such as supporting and encouraging 30,000 to 40,000 additional jobs, and increasing business expenditure on Research and Development by £160million to £200million, and how they aligned with the NI Executive’s Programme for Government. 

            The Committee was provided with the Invest NI companies’ sales by sector for the Belfast City Council area, which illustrated that the top three sectors were Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing (28.7%), Agri-food (21.5%) and Financial, Professional and Business Services (21.2%).

            Mr. Harper stressed to the Members that a challenge for Invest NI, and the NI economy as a whole, was encouraging more companies to export their product, as 71% of NI exports were carried out by 50 companies.  He explained that 30% of its customers were selling to only one market, and that Invest NI’s contacts in overseas markets were vital in that regard.  He reminded the Committee that Invest NI was continuing to promote a £1billion portfolio of NI Regeneration Investment Projects to investors, with the pitch book having been launched at MIPIM UK in October 2017.

            The Committee was advised that Invest NI was due to open a Trade, Investment and Innovation Hub in Dublin, London and Brussels in April 2019.  He explained that the Hubs would be used to present the benefits of investing in NI to potential investors.  He presented the Committee with an extensive list of the various international businesses which had made significant investments in Belfast, in sectors such as manufacturing, legal services, business services, financial services technology development, new software development and cybersecurity development.

            The Members were advised that Invest NI was refocusing on its NI diaspora engagement, both through NI Connections and by increasing its relationship with the Department for International Trade (DIT), to ensure that Northern Ireland had access to investment opportunities in the UK, as well as educating potential investors on the benefits of Northern Ireland.  Mr. Harper stated that, post-Brexit, Northern Ireland would be in a unique position given its proximity to both the UK and European markets.

            In response to a number of questions from the Members, Mr. Harper undertook to circulate information on the number of jobs which had been created over the past ten years in the north, south, east and west of the city.

            A Member stated that it was disappointing that a site in west Belfast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following two items is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the Press and public from the Committee meeting during discussion of the items as, due to their nature, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (NI) 2014.

            The Director of Economic Development provided the Committee with an update on the measures that the Council was taking to support the economic recovery of the city centre after the recent fire at Bank Buildings.  He advised the Members of the current status of the Business Recovery programme, including the number of applications which had been received and those which had been completed.

            The Committee was also advised of a proposed animation programme for the city centre in the period leading up to Christmas.

            The Commissioner for Resilience reminded the Committee that Belfast had access to significant guidance, expert knowledge and shared resources through its membership of 100 Resilient Cities.

            The Committee noted the update which had been provided.

            The Strategic Director of Place and Economy presented the proposed Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) negotiating position to the Committee, including the Council’s financial contribution.

            The Members were advised that the agreed geography for the BRCD included the Belfast Travel to Work Area and therefore included five other Council areas.

            The Strategic Director explained that the agreed objective for the BRCD was “more and better jobs; inclusive growth; improved skills and growth of domestic business and Foreign Direct Investment”.

            The Committee noted the update, and the approval by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting of 21st September, for:

·        the proposed Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) negotiating position;

·        the Council’s overall contribution to the deal of £38m for the development of the Destination Hub visitor attraction; and

·        the attendance of the Lord Mayor, the Party Group Leaders and the Chairperson of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at a BRCD event in Westminster on 24th October, 2018.

            The Director of Economic Development outlined to the Members the progress which had been made over the period 1st April – 30th September, against a series of targets under ‘Working and Learning’ and ‘Growing the Economy’ in the Belfast Agenda.

            Working and Learning

            He advised the Committee that officers had undertaken extensive engagement with employers to extend the Employment Academies into sectors with labour market gaps, namely hospitality, transport, childcare, health and social care and construction. 

            He explained that work was currently underway to pilot schools-based Employment Academies which aimed to improve outcomes for young people who were at risk of not completing their education or underachieving, by creating a pathway to a job or an apprenticeship.

            The Members were advised that a new initiative, ‘Access to Opportunity’, would provide financial support to address practical barriers for those who were out of work and wanted to enter employment, such as assistance for interpretation, sign language and childcare costs.

            During discussion, a number of Members stated that assisting with someone’s childcare costs or linguistic needs should not underestimated.

            The Director highlighted to the Committee that, as part of the Council’s effort towards supporting the long-term unemployed in entering the labour market, match-funding had been awarded to five European Social Fund (ESF) projects and, since 1st April, 577 participants had achieved accredited qualifications, with 375 people having entered employment as a result of the interventions.

            He provided the Members with an overview of a number of other work streams and development activities which officers were engaged in, including work on the City Youth Pledge, development of the Employability and Skills strand of the Belfast Region City Deal, and working with officers in Planning and Building Control to ensure that employability and skills provisions were integrated into the Draft Developers’ Contributions Framework.

            Growing the Economy

            The Director advised the Committee that, in conjunction with Invest NI, officers had been working to draw down European Regional Development Funding for Belfast in order to support the Council’s activities to encourage more business start-ups and to help existing businesses to grow.

            In respect of the Innovation Factory (IF), he pointed out that the target of 145 jobs had already been exceeded, with officers continuing to work with the IF to ensure that the target of 55% occupancy would also be achieved by December 2018.

            He stated that an Enterprise Framework for the city was being facilitated by the Council in partnership with the Business Growth and Enterprise Working Group.  He explained that the Framework would be discussed at Party Group Briefings later in the year and that it would shape future collaborations and initiatives, in line with the Belfast Agenda commitments.

            The Members were advised that the Council would again work with its public and private partners to deliver a programme of activity during Global Entrepreneurship Week, between 12th and 18th November, including a Female Enterprise Challenge.

            As well as supporting the regional ‘Go for It’ programme, the Director explained that the Council had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Members will be aware of work under way to support both indigenous investors and Foreign Direct Investors (FDI), in their expansion and relocation plans in Belfast. This report aims to update Members further on areas of work being advanced across a number of areas including:

1.      The ‘Belfast: City for Investment’ support service to investors;

2.      Building on our networks and partnerships in collaboration with NI Connections and Belfast Partners

3.      Strategic development of our lead prospecting services for business expansion and investment attraction; and

4.      Next steps and future models for consideration.

1.2       Across each of these strands, the opportunities for partnership and co-ordination with key agencies such as Invest NI, NI Connections and Belfast Partners are summarised. This report should be considered alongside the presentation being delivered to Committee by Invest NI.

1.3       The report makes key recommendations for the continued development and expansion of Council’s support in this area.  These initiatives will be tested further through the current pilot period (18 months from April 2018) and evaluated and presented back to Committee at a later date for fuller consideration.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note progress of ‘Belfast: City for Investment Service’;

·        Consider developing a Belfast Connections Network in collaboration with NI Connections and Belfast Partners. If agreed, an outline plan to be tabled back to a future meeting of Committee;

·        Note that future resources towards a client management approach will be considered based on the learning developed from the Belfast: City For Investment Pilot.   

3.0       Main report

3.1       The ‘Belfast: City for Investment’ support service to investors

            A paper was tabled to August 2018 Committee framing services currently available under the ‘Belfast: City for Investment Service’. These are:

-       Soft landing service;

-       Welcome Service and Accessing Networks;

-       Support with planning;

-       Sector specific support and skills academies;

-       Supplier and Supply Chain opportunities; and

-       Internationalisation and export opportunities.

3.2       Currently there are 50 enquiries being Client Managed by Council’s Economic Development Division  who are availing themselves of this menu of provision. These are categorised as Early Stage / Pre- Investor (26), Committed (11) and Established (13). This is a flexible service being delivered as an 18-month pilot concluding September / October 2019 and the learning will be used to inform the estimates setting process for 2019/20.

3.3       This service provides added-value to the support administered to clients by Invest NI. Since agreeing a ‘collaborative investment support protocol’ with Invest NI in March 2018, we have worked collaboratively on 12 FDI inward visits to Belfast.  One of the companies is Eirtech Aviation, an Irish-based Company with headquarters in Shannon and offices based in Dublin. In June they opened a composites repair centre on Queen’s Road, Belfast with support from Invest NI.  They hope to create 124 jobs over the next 4 years in the city.  The Lord Mayor, Chair of Committee and Senior Management have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to:

·        update Members on proposed changes to the draft East Bank Development Strategy (EBDS) as a result of comments received during the public consultation exercise and subsequent Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) and Rural Needs Impact Assessment Screening(s) of the draft Strategy;

·        present the final draft of the East Bank Development Strategy for approval.

1.2       The relevant documents are available on modern.gov:

·        Appendix 1: Strategic Impact Assessment (SEA) Adoption Statement.

·        Appendix 2: Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Requirements Report.

·        Appendix 3: Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) Screening Report.

·        Appendix 4: Rural Needs Impact Assessment.

·        Appendix 5: Summary of proposed amendments to the draft East Bank Development Strategy.

·        Appendix 6: East Bank Development Strategy (final version for publication).

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the contents of the SEA, HRA and EQIA adoption statement, requirements and screening reports at Appendices 1,2 and 3;

·        Note the proposed amendments to the final draft of East Bank Development Strategy summarised in Appendix 4; and

·        Approve the East Bank Development Strategy to support and complement existing planning policies as they apply to this part of the city centre.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       In June 2017 Committee approved the draft East Bank Development Strategy for consultation. The 12-week consultation period commenced on 7th July and ended on 29th September.

3.2       In December 2017, Committee considered a report on the public consultation process which summarised the 190 responses received and provided feedback from statutory agencies. Responses from the public were generally supportive. Principle areas of concern which were expressed related to:

·        The proposal to relocate the Titanic Rail Halt in the absence of further transport modelling and feasibility being undertaken;

·        The lack of a specific land allocation for affordable/social housing within the Sirocco site;

·        A perception that the movement diagram and spatial plan included in the document were unduly prescriptive.

3.3       In terms of statutory agencies, almost all were supportive. DfI Transport Strategy Division’s response was non-committal subject to further traffic modelling being undertaken while DfI Rivers noted that the document needed to say more about how to address present-day flood risk to the proposed development as well as the impact of future climate change and in particular, potential sea level rise due to climate change.

3.4       In light of the comments relating to flood risk and others received relating to protected habitats and environmental considerations, the Council conducted an SEA Determination (a ‘screening’ process) in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and has concluded that an SEA (Environmental Report) and HRA is required. It was agreed that further equality and good relations screening would be conducted in parallel with the proposed consultation processes on the SEA and HRA.

            Further Public Consultation

3.5       A 12 week public consultation on the SEA, HRA and EQIA was undertaken between 12th February – 7th  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to:

·        Update Members on the delivery of the International Relations Framework, focusing on activity over the last six months since March 2018;

·        Seek approval to engage in early planning activity for a potential second Nashville in Belfast programme to take place in June 2019, subject to financial resources and partner buy-in; and

·        Seek the approval for the attendance of the Chair of the Committee and the Director of Economic Development (or their nominees) as well as the Lord Mayor (who has been officially invited by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh), at the EUROCITIES AGM in Edinburgh on 28-30 November 2018.

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the range of activities and outputs associated with the International Relations Action Plan for the current financial year, covering the period April 2018 to September 2018

·        Approve officer engagement in the early planning activity for a potential second Nashville in Belfast programme to take place in June 2019, subject to approval of financial resources as part of the 2019/20 estimates process, and subject to partner buy-in and collective agreement on objectives and outcomes

·        Approve the attendance of the Chair of Committee and the Director of Economic Development (or their nominees) at the EUROCITIES AGM in Edinburgh on 28-30 November 2018

·        Note that the Lord Mayor has also been invited to attend the event by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and agree that the Lord Mayor attends as part of the Belfast delegation

·        Note that the costs associated with attendance at the event will not exceed £1,500.

3.0       Main report

3.1       In March 2018, the City Growth and Regeneration Committee approved the International Relations Action Plan for the financial year 2018/19. This report provides an update on the high-level outputs over the last six months, focusing on activity with our Sister Cities of Shenyang, Boston and Nashville.

3.2       Shenyang

            Key activities with the Sister City of Shenyang in China include:

·        Delivery of a tourism showcase in Shenyang in early September 2018.  This was the first time that the city had undertaken in-market tourism promotion activity in the city.  The Council was supported by our partner Visit Belfast who had organised the event in conjunction with a local partner on the ground.  A full report on the outcomes from the event including leads and key opportunities is currently being compiled and will be shared with the Committee at future date, as part of the future planning work. 

·        The city recently hosted two Summer Schools connected to the Belfast-Shenyang Sister City arrangement.  The China Medical University-Queen's University of Belfast Joint College and Ulster University welcomed 14 students into its Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, the Lord Mayor of Belfast sent a congratulatory message to the first cohort of graduates from the China Medical University which is a QUB campus, based in Shenyang.

3.3       Boston

·        The first ever Belfast –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

            At the request of a Member, the Committee agreed to invite representatives from both the George Best Belfast City Airport and the Belfast International Airport to attend a future meeting, in order to discuss the recent reports in the media relating to long security queues at the International Airport, and also to discuss the impact that Brexit would have on both airports.

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor O’Hara requested that the Committee considered the following proposal:

“The Committee commends the employability and skills initiatives adopted by the Council to help people gain employment.  Those initiatives included sectoral Employment Academies which, in partnership with employers, trained people who were out of work to apply for specific job vacancies.

In line with this successful model, and as part of the City Youth Pledge, it agreed to pilot a Youth Employment Academy to support people aged 16+ to access part time employment (8-16hour posts) in retail and hospitality.”

            The Committee agreed to adopt the motion.

            The Committee agreed to the proposal.