Agenda and minutes

Apologies for inability to attend were recorded for Councillors Beattie, Heading and Whyte.

            The minutes of the meeting of the Committee of 10th November 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 December.

            Councillor Donnelly declared an interest in relation to item 3(d) – European Social Fund Match Funding Requests – Proposed Council Contributions, in that, he worked for Upper Springfield Development Trust, which had applied for funding, and he left the meeting while the item was being considered.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development drew the Members’ attention to two items of correspondence which had been received in response to letters sent, on behalf of the Committee, to the Minister for Communities and the Minister for Infrastructure.

            She reminded the Members that, at its meeting in August, the Committee had agreed to write to the Minister for Communities and the Minister for Infrastructure, in relation to public realm projects within the city centre, specifically in relation to ensuring that the outworkings of the Bolder Vision were adequately captured and addresses within public realm scheme designs, and that a number of capital schemes had been progressing through design without an holistic overview of a modern transport plan.

            She reported that a response had been received on behalf of the Minister for Communities, from the Acting Director, Belfast Regeneration, and on behalf of the Minister for Infrastructure, from the Private Secretary to the Minister. 

            She highlighted that the response on behalf of the Minister for Communities outlined awareness of the challenges that the BRT2 preferred options posed to the public realm and the city centre environment and that a meeting, with both Ministers for DfI and DfC, had been scheduled to take place in January 2022 to discuss the issues and agree a way forward.

            She outlined, to the Committee, the response received on behalf of the Minister for Infrastructure and pointed out that the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan would be collaboratively developed with the Department and the five relevant councils, and that the initial focus would be based on the city centre and would consider changes to walking, cycling, transport and road networks.

            The Committee noted the correspondence. 

Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during following presentation as, due to the nature of the item, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Project Director delivered a presentation to the Committee regarding the Belfast Destination Hub.  She reported that the name Belfast Destination Hub had been replaced by Belfast Stories, and that plans were in place for a branding exercise to be undertaken, once the concept design had been completed.

            She provided the Members with an update on the following areas:

·        Belfast Region City Deal;

·        Strategic alignment;

·        Tourism growth;

·        Belfast Stories business case and programme;

·        Procurement strategy;

·        Sustainability;

·        Equality framework;

·        Consultation and engagement;

·        Social value; and

·        Communication plans.

The Committee noted the presentation.

            The information contained in the report associated with the following five items was 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 meeting during discussion of the following five items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Strategic Director of Planning and Place provided the Committee with an update on the progress which had been made on Belfast Stories (formerly referred to as Belfast Destination Hub) outline business case and programme.

            The Committee agreed to:

·        Note the progress update and programme;

·        Note that the design stage of the project was proceeding at risk ahead of the receipt of BRCD funding, to ensure that the opening date of early 2028 remained on programme;

·        Note the progress on the Belfast Story Collection Framework and to receive a presentation on the Framework early 2022; and

·        Note the plans for the press announcement planned for December 2021.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development provided the Committee with an update on various housing led regeneration matters.

            The Committee agreed:

·        to use the scheduled date for the Special City Growth and Regeneration Committee meeting on 26 January 2022, to hold a Committee Workshop on Housing Led Regeneration which would cover key areas of the work strands including the city-wide Strategic Site Assessments Phase 2;

·        to note the report which had been considered by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting of 24 September 2021, regarding work undertaken to seek an institutional investor/development partner to partner Council in the delivery of housing led placemaking regeneration utilising the Council’s land assets and the agreement to undertake a soft market testing exercise and subsequent Expression of Interest, in order to engage the market in respect of the identified assets;

·        to note the update on progress around Phase 2 of the Strategic Site Assessments (city wide Strategic Site Assessments), including the work of the Housing Led Regeneration Delivery Group within the structure of the Community Planning City Development Board;

·        to note that a separate report was being brought to this Committee in respect of the DfC consultation on an Intermediate Rent product and the importance of this in the context of housing led regeneration and the need for mixed tenure housing;

·        to note the update on the Inner North West Development Brief, and that Council and DfC were in dialogue with those Housing Associations who had responded to the Brief in order to work through issues identified through the process to deliver residential led development of these sites;

·        to note the update in respect of the City Centre Living Vision; and

·        that one Member from each of the six parties represented on the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, accompanied by officers, would  undertake a study visit to Newcastle (subject to prevailing COVID and travel restrictions) with a focus on regeneration projects, including city centre living and the institutional investor/Council partnership approach to delivery.

            Following discussion, the Committee further agreed that a report would be brought back to the Committee in relation to the actual costs of trips undertaken by or on behalf of the Committee.

            The Strategic Director of Planning and Place outlined to the Members the Quarter 2 financial position for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee which included the Council’s overall financial position, the Committee financial position 2021/22, a summary of the financial indicators and an executive summary. 

            The Committee noted the update and the associated financial reporting pack.

(Councillor Donnelly, who had declared an interest in this item,

left the meeting for the duration)

            The Director of Economic Development asked the Committee to consider the provision of Council match funding to the projects which had been selected through a recent transparent application process for Call 3 European Social Fund (ESF) projects, subject to funding availability.

            The Committee agreed to approve the match funding contributions to the projects which had been recommended for approval.

(Councillor Donnelly, who had declared an interest in this item returned

to the meeting at this point in proceedings)

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development provided the Committee with an report on the potential city centre sites to be considered for a meanwhile use as part of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA)/JP Corry design competition.

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:

·        to note the analysis of the Council owned city centre sites in terms of potential meanwhile use for the RSUA Open Belfast Design Competition;

·        to note that a further report on Housing Led Regeneration was being  brought to this Committee, which included an update on the strategic site assessments work and the institutional investor approach, as agreed at the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in September 2021, in respect of identified Council assets, which would include Corporation Street; and

·        that the Council-owned lands at Site 10 would be recommended for a temporary meanwhile use as part of the RSUA/JP Corry Open Belfast Design Competition process, and that a report would be brought back to the Committee, prior to progressing with the winning design.

            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 TEO High Street Task Force ‘Call for Evidence’ exercise.

2.0Recommendations

2.1The Members of the Committee are asked to:

·        Note that the final draft response to the TEO High Street Task Force Call for Evidence will be submitted to DfC as the secretariat for the High Street Task Force in line with the closing date on 6th December 2021.

·        Note that as part of the Call for Evidence process a workshop is being held in Belfast on 6th December 2021.

·        Agree the final draft consultation response of the 6th December as the Council’s final response pending Council ratification.

3.0Main report

3.1At the meeting of the City Growth & Regeneration Committee on 10th November 2021 Members were updated on the then recently launched High Street Task Force Call for Evidence which is the first stage of an ongoing public engagement process, and forms part of the work of the Task Force in identifying the challenges and issues that our high streets face.

3.2The report presented to Members in November highlighted that The Executive Office launched the High Street Task Force ‘Call for Evidence’ on 25th October 2021. The Committee subsequently agreed that officers prepare a draft response which would be brought via Party Leaders Forum on 25th November, with the final response brought back retrospectively to the Committee, at its meeting in December.

3.3As agreed by Committee, the draft response to the Call for Evidence was presented at Party Leaders Forum on 25th November 2021. Party Leaders were largely content with the response although requested a small number of additions This involved the need for relevant legislation to address vacancy and dereliction such as the Dilapidations Bill, as well as ensuring adequate reference to meeting accessibility needs and working with IMTAC. In addition, it was highlighted that whilst we direct efforts to diversify the high street retail should be supported to ensure its sustainability especially in the context of Belfast as a capital city. Other issues were discussed in terms of car parking and accessibility. The additional points agreed by Party Leaders have been incorporated in the final draft response.

3.4As part of the Call for Evidence, a series of six workshops were conducted to allow in-person views to be heard and discussed. A workshop was held in Belfast on 3rd November at the Hilton Hotel. Due to issues, including attendance a rescheduled workshop is taking place on 6th December. At the time of writing this report a number of Council officers have registered to attend this event, as well as promoting and encouraging attendance with a wide group of stakeholders. Due to the timing of publishing this report, officers will provide a verbal update of key discussion points at the Committee meeting.

3.5In keeping with the timetable set out by TEO, the final draft response will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

            The Director of Economic Development provided the Committee with an overview of the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1             To update Members on the equality screening of the delivery of Belfast Bikes and make recommendations for a way forward.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       To proceed with the four stations to be funded by the Department for Infrastructure outlined at 3.5, and the 15 stations;

-       Agree to the phased Equality Screening and that additional criteria are included the scoring matrix.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Background

            The Belfast Bikes scheme was launched in 2015 as part Belfast City Council’s physical investment programme. The Department for Regional Development provided initial capital funding for the scheme as part of their Active Travel Demonstration Projects budget. The scheme launched with a network of 30 docking stations and 300 bikes. The scheme has been operated by NSL continually since inception using bikes and supporting infrastructure from Nextbike Gmbh.  The scheme currently operates with 400 bikes and 48 docking stations.

3.2       Strategic Review

            It was agreed to undertake a comprehensive strategic review of the Just Eat Belfast Bikes scheme and make recommendations for the future management, operation and potential expansion of the scheme at CG&R committee in January 2019. Intelligent Transport Services were commissioned in May 2019 to carry out the strategic review of the scheme. Stakeholder engagement and a public survey was carried out in August/September 2019 and an elected member’s workshop was held on the 27th August 2019.

            The scope of the review considered the following steps:

-       Assessment of the current network;

-       Review of scheme objectives;

-       Review of operations;

-       Future expansion; and

-       Financial sustainability.

3.3       Future expansion

            Included in the Strategic Review were recommendations in relation to the future expansion of the scheme. These findings were the result of extensive stakeholder engagement, public survey and engagement with elected members. A summary of findings is included below.

-       There are gaps in the network along arterial routes and local centres in the North, West, South and East of the city. Investment in new stations should be carried out to increase network coverage and ensure social inclusion.

-       Additional capacity is needed in the northern section of the city centre to service the new Belfast UU campus and the Tribeca development and in the east to service the Sirocco development. This should be funded through developer contributions.

-       An assessment of the current network identified a number of existing stations which are under used and should be either relocated or reduced in size and used for expansion of new stations.

-       Requests have been made from neighbouring councils and expansion into adjoining areas should be considered through partnership funding.

3.4       A summary of future expansion as presented to June Committee including potential relocations and complementary measures are outlined by area and included at Appendix 1. Areas for expansion had been selected by identifying gaps in the network  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Director of Planning and Building Control explained that, in a statement to the NI Assembly in November 2020, the Minister for Communities had set out an ambitious housing programme and had introduced new housing options that included Intermediate Rent in support of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement aims of assisting eligible households into affordable housing and help meet the affordable housing obligations of Policy HOU5, as set out in the draft Belfast Local Development Plan 2035.

            She reported that the consultation on an Intermediate Rent policy and model had been launched on 18th October and that, although the Council was supportive of the delivery of the new product, it had not been possible to provide a definitive view on the specific product proposed until there was a better understanding on how the model would be delivered in practice.

            She referred the Members to a draft response which set out a number of aspects of the proposals that officers believed merited further consideration, which included:

·        The need for new affordable housing product(s);

·        The need for a single programme operator;

·        Funding mechanisms;

·        Construction and quality standards;

·        Setting the appropriate rent level; and

·        Deliverability.

            She advised the Committee that Council officers were due to meet with DfC officials on Friday, 10th December 2021 to discuss the consultation proposals and that any required amendments to the response which might arise following the meeting would be reported back to the Committee at its meeting in January for approval, in advance of the submission of the final response.

            The Committee noted the Intermediate Rent Development of Policy and Model Consultation document and approved the draft response to the consultation for submission to DfC, in advance of the 14th January deadline.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update members on a number of existing and planned interventions to improve skills and help people find a new or better job, focusing on key target groups and those furthest from the labour market. 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the range of existing and planned interventions to improve skills and help people find a new or better job, focusing on key target groups and those furthest from the labour market

·        Note the job outcomes delivered by some of the key interventions

·        Note the planned developments and activity for the coming months, including the development activity in new areas of work.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy of the city with labour market volatility where demand hugely outstripping supply in a number of sectors (tech and digital; logistics and health and social care) while other sectors are much more vulnerable (hospitality; retail). 

3.2       Despite the volatility, council officers have been working closely with our stakeholder partners and with employers in key sectors to support the delivery of a range of interventions to help those furthest from the labour market to find sustainable employment in those sectors where demand has remained strong or is beginning to recover.  This work has meant that, from April-September 2021, we have been able to bring 427 people on to our Employment Academy programmes across a range of sectors, with 202 currently on the waiting list for upcoming programmes.  This level of demand – both from employers as well as those looking for a job or a better job – represents a significant increase on figures from previous years, as previously flagged at the October meeting of this committee. 

3.3       Of those who started an Employment Academy since April 2021, 176 people have completed and 132 have secured employment so far.  This represents an into-work rate of 75%.  Of the 251 people still going through a programme, 92 are already in work and are receiving support, qualifications or licences needed to access a better job.  These include Level 3-5 qualifications (e.g. in childcare sector, allowing staff to move to supervisory roles) and specific vehicle licences to help existing drivers progress to better-paid driving roles, including those within public sector organisations such as Belfast City Council. 

3.4       The ‘Take the Next Step’ event in St George’s Market on 9 November attracted over 450 people and gave residents a chance to find out more about the upcoming employment academies and to register interest to participate as well being able to apply directly for vacancies.  Employers across a range of sectors were in attendance, and feedback has been very positive, with 90% reporting that they were very satisfied and 10% reporting that they were satisfied.  While the full job outcomes as a result of this event are yet to be completed, we have already had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

At the request of Councillor McMullan, the Committee agreed that officers would bring a report back to the Committee which would outline any learnings in relation to accessibility issues with the ‘Bolder Vision’ consultation engagement process.