Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were received on behalf of The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor McCormick and Councillors Hanvey, Kelly and Smyth.

            The minutes of the meeting of the 7th and 28th August were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 2nd September, subject to the decision under the heading ‘Belfast City and Region Place Partnership Update’ to approve attendance by senior officers at MIPIM 2025 as part of the BCRPP 2024/2025 programme, noting that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM would be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget, be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Councillor de Faoite declared an interest regarding item 6.a)International Relations Activity Update, in that he was a Council appointee on the Lyric Theatre Education Advisory Panel.

            The Chairperson informed the Committee that Mr. John Greer, the current Director of Economic Development, would be leaving the Council shortly to take up a post with Department for Communities. The Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, referred to the significant contribution that the Director had made to the Council during his time in service and wished him well in his new post.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in September, the Council had agreed that the decision under the heading ‘Belfast City and Region Place Partnership Update’ to approve attendance by senior officers at MIPIM 2025 as part of the BCRPP 2024/2025 programme, noting that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM would be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget, be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The report is in response to a decision by Council on 2 September ‘that the decision to approve attendance by senior officers at MIPIM 2025 as part of the Belfast City & Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) 2024/2025 programme, noting that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM will be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget, be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.’

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to approve attendance by senior officers at MIPIM 2025 as part of the BCRPP 2024 / 2025 programme, noting that the BCRPP presence at MIPIM will be funded from the wider public-private sector BCRPP programme budget.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       In considering the recommendation the Committee is asked to consider the appended detailed report as presented to Committee in August 2024 on outcomes from the Belfast City & Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) 2023 / 2024 Programme including attendance at MIPIM as requested at the meeting of the Committee in June 2024.

3.2       In addition, the issue was raised at Council about the importance of considering proposals for attendance at MIPM in the context of an updated International Relations Framework. A separate report has been provided to the committee updating on International Relations Activity which asks the committee to note the planned review of international opportunities and potential areas of interest aligned to city priorities and agree to receive a future report to consider how targeted international engagement activity can support and advance our key ambitions. It also advised that this work will be developed alongside a paper for the committee setting out the principles that will underpin an updated international relations framework.

3.3       Although no longer current, Members may wish to note the main purpose of the 2017-2021 International Relations Framework was to;

            Ensure that Belfast is optimally positioned on the international stage to realise our ambitions, and that our resources and priorities are aligned with the overarching strategic vision for the city and – as a driver of the regional economy.

            It focused on three main areas:

·        Business – investment and export/trade activity

·        Tourism development (both leisure and business)

·        Education/Culture development

            The Framework was based on the premise that;

            Belfast can and should be active internationally, that the Council has a ‘value added’ role to play, and together with our partners across the city we can compete internationally for the benefit of our citizens.

            The framework recognises that our;

            international ambitions rely on strong collaboration with a range of partners including the Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2a

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

            Members were also reminded that the content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which took place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and that no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.  

            The Committee was provided with a quarterly update on performance at the Zoo across the following areas:

·        Visitor Services;

·        Education Services;

·        Animal Collection;

·        Marketing and Events, and

·        Financial performance.

            The Committee noted the Zoo performance update report for the period April to June 2024.

The Committee considered an update on the performance of the Belfast Bikes scheme in Quarter 1 (April 2024 to June 2024) of year 10 of its operation.

            The Committee:

·        Noted the update of the Belfast Bikes performance for year 10, quarter 1 (April to June) financial year; and

·        Approved the proposed discounts for corporate memberships.

            The Committee considered its Quarter 1 financial position which included a summary of the financial indicators and an executive summary.

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

            The Committee was provided with a quarterly performance and financial update for the period to end June 2024, together with future plans for the coming quarter.

            The Committee also considered a request from organisers of a proposed market to take place in the Titanic Exhibition Centre (TEC) in November/December 2024 which sought approval for a market licence to be issued for the event.

            During discussion, Members suggested the need to increase the potential of Council parks to hold more markets across the city, together with the expansion of the Christmas market. The Senior Manager, Economy, advised that the markets policy was under review and would consider different models and development.

            One Member suggested that further engagement with stall holders and attendees of the Christmas Market would be beneficial in relation to the potential to expand the Market in the future.

After discussion, the Committee:

·        Noted the update on city markets – with a focus on St George’s Market;

·        Noted the priority actions for the coming quarter and noted that further updates on progress would be brought back to future meetings of the Committee;

·        Agreed to approve the issuing of a market licence for the Tedberry Market to be held on 30th November/1st December, 2024 in the Titanic Exhibition Centre; and

·        Agreed that engagement with stall holders and attendees of the Christmas Market 2024 be undertaken in relation to the potential to expand the Market in the future.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       Following a request by Members to clarify the boundary of the city centre and the rationale for how boundaries are applied for projects, and how this might be looked at going forward, this paper sets out the city centre boundary and proposes a future approach on this issue.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to:

                                          I.     Note the context of the Draft BMAP City Centre Boundary and the update on the rationale for allocating city centre boundaries to specific projects.

3.0       Background

3.1       At the City Growth and Regeneration Committee on 12th June and at the Climate and City Resilience Committee on the 13th June 2024 Members raised queries in relation to the boundary of the city centre and how these are used to delineate project borders. Members had referenced certain examples including the Inner North West, UP2030 and the Business Cluster and Community Grant schemes. The Committee agreed that ‘a future report would be brought to the Committee to outline the rationale around red line boundaries including the city centre boundary and various Programmes and projects and how this might be looked at going forward.’

4.0       Main Report

4.1       The statutory boundary of the city centre is often used as the recognised and defined boundary area given its definition within planning policy in the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP).  The city centre boundary as defined by draft BMAP remains the most up to date expression of the Department’s spatial planning approach to the Belfast Metropolitan Area and may remain a material consideration where appropriate within a planning context. The city centre boundary will be reviewed as part of the Local Policies Plan stage of the LDP process.

            Figure 1 - Draft BMAP City Centre Boundary

4.2       A number of schemes or projects developed within in the city centre have been brought forward based on the eight principles of the Belfast City Centre Regeneration Investment Strategy (BCCRIS) as set out below:

·        Increase the Employment Population;

·        Increase the Residential Population;

·        Manage the Retail Offer;

·        Maximise the Tourism Opportunity;

·        Create Regional Learning and Innovation Centres;

·        Create a Green, Walkable, Cyclable Centre;

·        Connect to the City Around, and

·        Shared space and social impact

4.3       As projects are developed to target specific issues or priority areas the parameters of the project, including boundaries, are brought to the CG&R Committee for approval prior to designing and implementing the project. When developing projects aligned to BCCRIS the Draft BMAP city centre boundary is typically used as the starting point for setting the boundary, subject to discussions with Members. Setting boundary areas is often required on projects when addressing specific area-based issues, or when subject to funding constraints.

4.4       An exception to the use of the draft BMAP boundary is in relation to the Inner North West Masterplan which was defined by the Special Action Area agreed by Council in 2016 as a part of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in January 2021, former Councillor Mulholland, on behalf of former Councillor McMullan, had outlined the following proposal:

“This Council is committed to ensuring that the city and neighbourhood areas of Belfast are accessible and inclusive for disabled people, older people and carers. This Council recognises that access to a car is central to the independence of many people with mobility issues but notes the low provision of accessible bay parking spaces in its off-street car parks with just 3% of its spaces designated as accessible across the city. This Council agrees to join Disability Motoring UK’s Disabled Parking Accreditation scheme to improve the minimum number, size and quality of our accessible bay parking spaces. This Council further notes this is one of many interventions that need to be taken by this Council and partners as part of our commitment to an inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery and our commitment in the Belfast Agenda to become an accessible city for all by 2035.”

            It was reported that the Committee had been provided with updates on the motion through quarterly Notice of Motion updates that officers had contacted the British Parking Association (BPA) to discuss the general principles of the accreditation criteria and how this could be achieved within the Council’s current portfolio.

            Along with general access requirements and a prerequisite number of bays, consideration would also be made of the standard and location of the pay and display machines within each car park. Following these conditions being met, the Council could apply for accreditation and pay an annual fee for membership. Officers had met with the BPA to conduct site assessments, within the charged car parks in the city centre, to apply the criteria for the accreditation and making recommendations where appropriate.

            The Committee was informed that, to achieve accreditation, car parks must not only have accessible bays correctly marked and in the specified number but must also have alternative ways to enter and pay. Following the site assessments, the BPA noted that, although our provision was below the number designated within the criteria, there was an under use of DB bays. This could be explained by the number of blue badge holders parked on-street within the vicinity of car parks.

            The general condition of the car parks was deemed acceptable, with an acknowledgement that some additional pedestrian access was required for people with more complex needs and the reconfiguration of some DB’s for the same purpose. Officers had examined how to reconfigure the car parks to meet the criteria, including structural changes where required. It was also noted that most of the car parks had been earmarked for development and City Regeneration and Development were currently advancing plans for these locations.

            It was reported that officers were in the process of reconfiguring the car parks to address the comments made during the Strategic Site Assessments.

            Rather than incur the cost of accreditation, (£5,100 for initial registration and a £2,550 yearly fee), it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

            It was reported that, in line with previous years, it was expected that the Department for Communities would be inviting local Councils to administer the Access and Inclusion Programme 2024-25 within their respective local Council areas and to apply for funding to the Department. Whilst the Departments for Communities capital budget was currently fully allocated, approval was requested to launch the programme as a competitive process should the Department open the funding at a later date in 2024/25.

            The Committee was reminded that the Department for Communities’ Access and Inclusion Programme aimed to:

                                I.        Improve access to arts, culture and active recreation venues across NI for people with disabilities.

                               II.        Make arts, cultural and active recreation venues more inclusive across society; and

                             III.        Increase participation in arts, culture and active recreation activities by people with disabilities.

            The Senior Manager, Culture and Tourism, advised that the Council oversaw the assessment and recommendation of projects via a competitive open call internally and externally and was responsible for delivery of all projects in receipt of funding.

            She pointed out that the Culture Development Unit had managed the programme since its inception in 2018/19 and in 2023/24  funding had been reduced by 50%, resulting in 2 external projects with grants equating to £30,926. Examples of projects supported included improved access to the City Hall and the Tropical Ravine; easier access for audience and participants to not for profit cultural venues across the city; installation of new specialised playground facilities and changing spaces; and provision of equipment to provide immersive theatrical experiences for children with complex needs.

            The Senior Manager, Culture and Tourism, explained that capital works and equipment costs were eligible under this programme. The maximum grant available was £30,000, (the maximum project cost cannot exceed £80,000), and applicants were required to contribute at least 10% of the total project costs. To receive a £30,000 grant therefore, applicants must provide a contribution of at least £3,000.

            She informed the Committee that the Department for Communities was particularly keen to welcome applications for Changing Places facilities, accessible equipment for play parks and projects that would impact positively on sustainability and climate change. Projects must complete on or before 31st March, 2025.

            She highlighted that the Culture Development Unit would work closely with the Council’s Equality Unit and the Department for Communities to ensure positive equality implications which is the central component of the Programme. Officers would discuss the Programme with the Council’s Disability Advisory Panel.

            During discussion, the Senior Manager, Culture and Tourism, advised that the Programme would be open to all applicants and the Council intended to have feasibility studies ready in order to put forward Council assets also.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend that the Chief Executive exercise his delegated authority to grant permission for Council to apply for, promote, assess and manage the Access and Inclusion Programme 2024-25.

            The Committee was advised that a request had been received from the Waterfront Task Group to invite Members of the City Growth and Regeneration and the members of the Planning Committee to attend a presentation on the progress of the Belfast Waterfront Framework, followed by a boat tour along the lower Lagan waterfront area providing an overview of the of the proposals included within the Framework and to receive an update on the work of the Maritime Belfast Trust in preserving, developing and promoting the Maritime Mile. Representatives from Maritime Belfast Trust, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Titanic Quarter Ltd would be in attendance along with officers from the Council, and it was suggested that the visit would take place in October.

            The Committee was reminded that a Waterfront Task Group had been established to develop a focused approach to the Belfast waterfront, aligned to the A Bolder Vision key move ‘Embracing the River’. The Task Group, chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive and consisting of Maritime Belfast Trust, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Titanic Quarter Ltd, Department for Communities, Department for the Economy, Tourism NI, Odyssey Trust and Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Rural Affairs commissioned a detailed analysis of the waterfront area from the Ormeau Road Bridge to Thompsons Dock.

            The Committee was also reminded that consultants, Schulze + Grassov, had undertaken a detailed analysis of over 10km of the waterfront, compiling analysis on the completed and pending developments, as well as identifying the catalyst opportunities and gaps in infrastructure to maximise the social, economic and environmental opportunities that existed along the waterfront. This work also undertook to identify the existing and proposed projects emerging from within the adjacent communities, and to identify catalyst opportunities to connect these projects and the local communities to the wider education, employment and leisure facilities along the waterfront corridor. This work was carried out in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including local communities, through online surveys and a dedicated charrette style design workshop. In addition, a specific Waterfront Neighbourhood Network had been established to build relationships and support ongoing engagement with the Task Group. It was noted that the network would be asked to nominate two representatives to sit on the Task Group going forward to ensure representation and feedback.

            It was reported that the Waterfront Task Group had also proposed a study visit to Copenhagen in November 2024 for members of the Task Group and members of the Waterfront Neighbourhood Network. The study visit would explore best practice examples of a leading waterfront city in terms of how the city engaged with the water’s edge, how the public realm integrated art and maritime heritage, and how the area engaged and connected to the local communities and the wider city. The trip would be subsided by Maritime Belfast Trust reducing the costs for organisations to approximately £550 per attendee for travel, accommodation and food. Members were asked to approve the attendance of the Chairperson (or his nominee), the Chief Executive and up to two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in October 2021, Councillor de Faoite had raised a Notice of Motion which focussed on Belfast City’s Nightlife and Night-time Economy which sought to deliver two specific actions, including:

•        a roundtable engagement event which seeks to identify the main challenges facing the city centre’s evening and nighttime economy (ENTE) and opportunities for the future; and

•        the establishment of an ENTE ‘coordinator’.

            It was reported that, at a meeting of the City Centre All-Party Working Group (CCAPWG) on 26th January, 2023, Members had welcomed Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar, who had provided an overview of her background, role and collaborative approach to ensuring London thrives as a 24-hour city.

            Ms. Lamé had outlined the challenges that she had faced, including changing perceptions of the city at night, ensuring women felt safe in London at night, addressing issues relating to nighttime workers and improving nighttime transport links. Members had heard that, key to addressing these challenges, was working in partnership with the nighttime industries, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and the general public.

            At the same meeting, Members had also received a presentation from the Council’s Director of Economic Development who provided an update on council related work which was assisting with the revitalisation effort of the night-time economy following the Covid pandemic. This included a presentation on case studies and best practice from other cities and information on Belfast’s Purple Flag status. (Purple Flag was an internationally recognised accreditation for excellence in the nighttime economy and helped to create safe and thriving locations at night for all users).

            It was reported that Belfast City Centre First Achieved Purple Flag Status in 2020, just prior to the lock down and more recently Belfast City Council had joined the Steering Group that was seeking re-accreditation. Membership of the group included representatives from the following organisations:

•        Belfast One BID;

•        Linen Quarter BID;

•        Destination CQ BID;

•        Belfast City Council;

•        Belfast Chamber of Trade & Commerce;

•        PSNI;

•        SOS Bus;

•        Value Cabs;

•        Hospitality Ulster; and

•        Translink.

            As part of its recent application for Purple Flag status, the Steering Group undertook a self-assessment evening in September 2023 which identified the main challenges facing the city’s nighttime economy and a number of areas of improvement in relation to the Purple Flag themes. Belfast City Centre’s Purple Flag status was successfully re-certified in January 2024 (following an assessment conducted by assessors in November 2023).

            The Committee was informed that the CCAPWG had also received a presentation from Mr. C. McCracken, Managing Director of the Linen Quarter BID (on behalf of the Purple Flag Steering Group), at its meeting in May 2024. Mr. McCracken had updated the Working Group on the latest status and outlined the next steps of the process, which included addressing a number of recommendations within the assessors’ feedback report (attached at Appendix 1). It was agreed that the CCAPWG would be used to collate and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       This report presents a number of proposals for increased animation opportunities within the city and for extended destination profile.

            Members are asked to provide approval to progress with an extended city centre animation programme to provide support for key stakeholder to deliver partnership initiatives

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to note the contents of the report, and agree the allocation of the following direct awards in relation to;

·        Belfast One - Busking activity – up to the value of £20,000

·        Belfast One - Halloween activity – up to the value of £40,000

3.0       Background

3.1       The 10 year cultural strategy – A City Imagining outlines a vision of Belfast as a city:

·        where everyone fulfils their potential

·        where everyone benefits form a thriving and prosperous economy

·        where everyone experiences good health and well being

·        that is welcoming, safe, fair and inclusive for all

·        that is vibrant, attractive, connected and environmentally sustainable

            Building on the community planning process, It acknowledges that change requires ambition, long-term commitment and a sustainable and adaptable approach building on the creativity and resilience in the very fabric of our city. A city imagining can be the catalyst for the urgency and agency required to encourage innovation, new connected thinking and greater collaboration.

            In response to ongoing significant regeneration efforts, aiming to drive increased footfall and activity within the city centre. It is essential to address the challenges that the city centre is facing while aligning with initiatives such as the UNESCO City of Music designation, Belfast 2024, Make Yourself at Home tourism strategy and the core principles of co-design and partnership working.

            As such the cultural unit have been working with city stakeholders to consider upcoming opportunities to continue to build and grow the positioning of Belfast as a welcoming and culturally vibrant destination.

4.0       Main Report

4.1       Whilst there have been a range of very positive developments and investments in the city centre, the economic environment is challenging and the impact of the dereliction associated with the Tribeca site continues to be felt.

            Initiatives have been put forward to work in partnership with ‘Belfast One’ to respond to the ongoing need for a continued programme of city centre activity to drive footfall and give additional reasons to visit the city centre and attract both residents and tourists.

            Officers have worked with stakeholders at Belfast One to identify the following proposals;

4.2       BuskFest -  up to £20,000

            Objective: Increase footfall and create a vibrant atmosphere through Music further building on the work aligned to realising Belfast’s UNESCO city of music status.

            BuskFest will bring musicians into designated areas of the city to perform live music, creating an engaging and lively environment for visitors. This initiative will support local artists and provide entertainment that encourages people to spend more time in the city centre. Belfast One would aim to run a competition and have 5-6 locations across the city for buskers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek Members’ approval for council engagement in and attendance at a number of international profiling events in USA in early 2025 as well as support for the upcoming Friendship Four event.

2.0       Recommendation

            It is recommended that Members:

·        Note the invitations for the Lord Mayor to attend the St Pat’s for All event in early March 2025 as well the Nashville Peace Summit in late February 2025 and agree attendance at both events by the Lord Mayor and appropriate senior officers up to a total maximum cost of £12,000

·        Note and approve the request for £15,000 financial support towards the Friendship Four event to take place in November 2024

·        Note and approve the request for £10,000 financial support towards the touring route for ‘The Agreement’.

·        Note the planned review of international opportunities and potential areas of interest aligned to city priorities and agree to receive a future report to consider how targeted international engagement activity can support and advance our key ambitions.

·        This will be developed alongside a paper for the committee setting out the principles that will underpin an updated international relations framework.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       St Pat’s for All engagement – New York – early March 2025

            Members will be aware that Belfast City Council annually participates in the New York New Belfast Economic Showcase. This showcase event has been running for more than a decade, and for the last three years has been streamlined to focus solely on seeking economic opportunity within New York City and the wider East coast. Over 150 business, civic and political leaders gather to hear the latest Belfast developments and updates on trade and investment opportunities across key growth sectors as well as capital investment development and opportunities. 

3.2       At this year’s 15th annual event, the Lord Mayor took part in a number of side meetings with City and State political representatives.  He was also invited to speak at a key focal point for LGBTQIA rights, the Stonewall Inn. This aligned with the Lord Mayor’s inclusive city theme. The event was attended by many influential business, political, academic and civic leaders, including former City Council Speakers Christine Quinn and Corey Johnson, along with NY State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli.

3.3       On the back of this engagement, the Lord Mayor has now been invited to lead the 26th annual ‘St Pat’s for All’ Parade, assuming the role of Grand Marshall. The Parade attracts over 3,500 participants, and around 28,000 spectators. In addition to participating in the parade, the St Pat’s for All President and Board have offered to facilitate a wider programme of engagements around inclusive growth and neighbourhood regeneration, in line with Corporate Plan priorities. The Lord Mayor will also undertake a series of follow-up business meetings arising from the June 2024 New York New Belfast event.

3.4       Reframing international and Sister Cities engagement activity

            Members will be aware that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in May 2024, it had endorsed the Enterprise and Business Growth workplan for the 24/25 year. The report set out key priority areas of work for the 2024/25 financial year, aligning to the delivery of the targets under the ‘Our Economy’ pillar of the Belfast Agenda. 

            The report had provided plans for scaling support and innovation, focusing on key technologies and priority sectors, including Fintech and Financial Services, Creative and Digital Life and Health Sciences, and Advanced Manufacturing. Since that time, officers had continued to work closely with the City Innovation Team to develop and deliver on new interventions which build capacity among local businesses – including those aligned to the Belfast Region City Deal interventions. Through this work and engagement with stakeholders in the wider ecosystem, including Digital Catapult, Ulster University, Queen’s University, and the Fintech Corridor, the Senior Manager, Economy, explained that two key projects had been identified which were considered to have clear alignment to the overall plan and which could lever resources and support from other key organisations. 

Fintech Support Programme

            Working in partnership with the Fintech Corridor, the Fintech Support Programme would aim to address the issues and strategic objectives identified in the Fintech NI action plan. The Fintech Corridor was established in 2020 and was a cross-border cluster working with multiple Fintech companies, academic institutions, and development agencies along the Dublin to Belfast corridor.  It supported local SMEs working in the financial services to utilise new technology to grow and scale and provided important networking opportunities for companies along the corridor as well as with international companies working in this space.

            The Senior Manager, Economy, advised that the Council sought to support 40 Belfast based companies to provide new partnership and networking opportunities, mentoring to support business growth, scaling and access to finance, and to look at opportunities to support the skills development and pipeline into the sector.

            The support programme would focus on addressing specific barriers to SME growth and would provide the tools to overcome these barriers, including mentoring, education, and support to enable business and product development, route to market engagements enabling b2b opportunities for Fintech SMEs, facilitated networking and collaborative space to explore and develop innovation, future opportunity identification and shaping SMEs for a growth mindset.

Advanced Media Production Capacity Programme

            The Senior Manager, Economy, informed the Committee that, working in partnership with Digital Catapult, the Advanced Media Production (AMP) capacity programme would aim to address key barriers to growth and explore opportunities for creative digital SMEs to engage with large scale Advanced Media Production (AMP) facilities such as Studio Ulster. The AMP programme would support up to 50 Belfast based companies wishing to build capacity in the commercial use of, and access to, Advanced Media Production (AMP). Through this programme businesses would have the opportunity to gain valuable skills and learning linked to Advanced Media Production and Studio Ulster in particular, to apply this new understanding to offer potential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

            The Committee was provided with a quarterly update on the Notices of Motion that it was responsible for, in line with the agreement of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that all standing committees receive regular updates.

            It was reported that there were currently seven Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance for which the Committee was responsible for and it was recommended that the Committee agree to close the following 4 motions and note the status updates for the remaining 3 motions which remained open:

 Category 1 Recommended Closures:

·        Disabled Parking Accreditation Scheme (ID = 153)

·        Belfast City Nightlife and Night-time Economy (ID = 208)

·        Belfast 2024 Animation Culture Night (ID = 381).

Category 2 Recommended Closures:

·        Environmental Infrastructure in Council Car Parks (ID = 152) which will now be considered as part of the council’s Low Emissions Vehicle Strategy.

            One Member highlighted that the motion on Belfast City Nightlife and Night-time Economy would remain open, as previously agreed under item 5.a). 

            The Committee:        

·        Noted the updates to all Notices of Motion/ Issues Raised in Advance that it was responsible for as referenced in Appendix 1 of the report; and

·        Agreed to the closure of three Motions, as referenced in Appendix 1, as it had been agreed that Belfast City Nightlife and Night-time Economy Motion (ID = 208) would remain open under the previous item ‘Night-time Economy Notice of Motion Update’.

The Committee noted that a meeting request had been received from the Department of Education to discuss the RAISE program, an educational disadvantage intervention from the ‘A Fair Start’ report and that the Committee would be invited to attend.