Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Alderman McGimpsey and Councillors Magennis, McDonough-Brown and Lyons.

            The minutes of the meeting of 12th 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 1st September.

            Councillor Attwood and Councillor McAteer declared an interest in respect of Item 1(d) South Belfast Partnership Board and left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.

            The Committee was advised that, at its meeting on 17th August, the South Belfast Area-Based Working Group had received a presentation from representatives of the South Belfast Partnership.  At that meeting, the Working Group had been requested to consider providing financial assistance to support the work of the South Belfast Economic Forum in 2015/2016.  The provision of funding of that nature did not fall within the remit of the Working Group and, accordingly, it had been agreed that the matter be referred to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee for consideration.

            Subject to considering the request, the Committee was advised that the ability to meet with any request for assistance from the Partnership in 2015/2016 would be somewhat limited since the Council’s Revenue Budgets for the financial year had been agreed previously.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed not to accede to the request at this time but that, in the first instance, Senior Council officers meet with representatives of all five Partnership Boards to discuss issues which were aligned with the Council’s strategies and future direction.

            The information contained in the following report was restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy which had been approved by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 21st August and ratified by the full Council on 1st September.

            After discussion, during which the Committee noted that the consultation responses and feedback from the Members had been taken into account in the draft Strategy document which had been provided to the Members in August prior to consideration by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, it was agreed that the Committee:

·        note that the Strategy had been approved by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and ratified by the full Council and would form part of the Council launch event planned for 22nd September, 2015;

·        note the status of the Strategy and its role - whilst not a formal planning document, it was a clear direction of travel – setting out the Council’s intention to ensure that Belfast’s City centre drives growth and social, economic and environmental well-being for the people of the City and the region; and

·        note the work streams to be developed from the Strategy as outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report, the development and implementation of which would be reported to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee where relevant.

            In accordance with its decision of 22nd April, the Committee was advised that representatives of the Rivers Agency were in attendance to provide a short presentation on Flood Maps (NI), an interactive map viewer that would enable Members to access the latest flood hazard information for Belfast.

            Mr. M. Calvert, Head of Mapping and Modelling, and Mr. J. Martin, Regional Engineer, were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairperson.

            The Committee was informed that the Flood Maps (NI) had been developed to provide an overview of flood risk in Northern Ireland and contained a suite of detailed flood hazard maps that had been produced in accordance with the EU Floods Directive.  There were three River-based Districts, with Belfast being located in the North-East area.

            The deputation then provided examples of the flood hazard extent in Belfast and answered a number of questions in relation to flooding which occurred regularly in a number of areas of the City, how the Rivers Agency provided information to the Planners and other agencies and the work being undertaken with the Association of British Insurers to help ensure that flood insurance remained widely available to the vast majority of homes and businesses in flood risk areas.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the details of the presentation and agreed that the Director of Planning and Place meet with representatives of the relevant agencies to discuss how they would work together to provide a more holistic and structured approach to flood risk management.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0  Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

      On 26 August 2015, members of the committee attended a planning workshop with a view to developing a work plan for the City Growth & Regeneration Committee.

         A total of 16 Members attended the workshop, together with the Chief Executive and the Directors of Development, Planning and Place and Property and Projects. 

         Members identified a number of priorities and made a number of proposals which are detailed within the main report.  Members made these proposals in the context of emerging priorities identified as part of the ‘Belfast Conversation’ and the development of the Belfast Agenda.  Discussion was also informed by information on the role of the committee and the resources at its disposal for delivery. The proposals will form the basis of a committee plan will be brought back to members in October 2015.

         Members also received a presentation from Heavenly, the brand consultancy appointed to develop a new customer focused Brand Strategy for the Belfast Waterfront.  There was support at the workshop for the brand values & behaviours, positioning and the proposal on the name of the venue.  A separate report on the brand strategy and the recommendations of the consultants is a separate item on the agenda for this committee.

2.0   Recommendations

         Members of the committee are asked to consider and approve the list of key priorities and suggested proposals resulting from the committee workshop on 26 August. 

         Members are asked to give approval for officers to draft a committee plan based on the key priorities and bring a draft of the committee plan to the City Growth & Regeneration Committee in October.

3.0    Main report

         Key Issues

         At the recent City Growth & Regeneration workshop, Members considered the following questions as part of the planning exercise:

1.     Discuss the role and priorities for the committee

2.     How is the new committee working?

         The top roles and priorities discussed by table have been circulated.  The key issues and priorities identified by members include:

·        City centre regeneration & investment strategy;

·        Job creation and the employability & skills strategy;

·        Place positioning and an agreed city brand to maximise the opportunities for investment, tourism and regeneration;

·        Integrated tourism strategy;

·        Investigate the feasibility of a City Deal for Belfast;

·        Develop a car parking strategy; and

·        Ensure the above strategies give consideration to connecting neighbourhoods to the city centre, ensuring that the whole city enjoys the benefits.

         Members discussed how the new committee is working and have made a number of suggested proposals, as follows:

·        Currently too much on the agenda and it is not possible to fully discuss the key strategic issues of the city – more time needs given to these;

·        Consider the possibility of having a second meeting every month.  The second meeting could be in the form of a workshop and/ or discussion sessions with key partners; and

·        Improved working relationships with key outside bodies.

·        Improve the coordination of discussions and agendas with other BCC committees.

         Next Steps

         If  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

            The Committee was reminded that the Belfast Waterfront Hall was currently undergoing a £30 million investment programme that would see the venue transformed into a new world leading conference venue, attracting 50,000 delegates per year, resulting in an economic impact of £45 million per annum and supporting 1,500 additional jobs for Belfast.  The Committee was reminded also to support that transformation the Council had appointed Heavenly to develop a new customer focused Brand Strategy for the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls.  To date the Members had received two presentations on the proposed Brand Strategy, including a detailed presentation from Heavenly at the City Growth and Regeneration Committee Workshop on 26th August.

            The recommended Brand Strategy, as presented to the Committee at the workshop, outlined the recommended approach in terms of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls’ core brand values and behaviours, positioning statement and proposed names.  The Brand would be used as a basis for further work on staff training, culture change, web presence, uniforms, fit-out, communications and sales.

            The Committee approved the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls Brand Strategy.

            (Mr. K. Sutherland, Development Planning and Policy Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            Taxi Access to Royal Avenue, Belfast

1.1       DRD Transport NI in conjunction with the PSNI, recently carried out a trial to permit taxi access to the pedestrianised / bus only portion of Royal Avenue, Belfast. The trial commenced on 1st October 2014 and finished on 1st April 2015. Taxis were permitted access to Royal Avenue from 6pm to 6am each day, in order to collect or set down fares in the street, but not to rank or ply for trade.

            Taxi Ranks – Donegall Square

1.2       DRD have received a request from organisations that represent public hire taxi drivers in Belfast to consider extending the rank provision around Donegall Square. There is an existing public hire taxi rank at Donegall Square North with additional space on Donegall Square East, however, the organisations feel that more capacity is required.   

            New Cycle Routes proposal

1.3       DRD published the Bicycle Strategy for Northern Ireland on the 25th August 2015. The strategy proposed the delivery of new bicycle routes and connections within Belfast City Centre. DRD are currently consulting on three proposed routes:

·        Grosvenor Road / Durham Street; College Square North / College Street & Queen Street;

·        High Street to Middlepath Street; and

·        Alfred Street/ Upper Arthur Street.

            Consultation layout drawings for the proposed routes have been circulated.

            DRD Transport NI (TNI) presentation

1.4       A request has been received from TNI to present proposals on the Autumn Works Programme to this Committee.

1.5       Proposed introduction of waiting restrictions on Falls Road and Divis Street, Belfast (between Beechmount Avenue and Millfield)

            DRD Transport NI have requested feedback on proposals to facilitate the operation of the Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme on the Falls Road and Divis Street.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       It is recommended that Committee consider the proposed responses outlined below and if appropriate agree their submission to DRD as the Council position. In summary:

·        it is suggested that DRD extend the pilot scheme to allow taxi access to Royal Avenue until further assessment can be carried out as part of the Streets Ahead Phase 3 scheme;

·        in relation to taxi rank provision in the Donegall Square area, it is suggested that the Donegall Square West area is retained for coach drop off and pick provision only until further assessment on coach parking needs is carried out; and

·        it is suggested that the Council support the proposals to upgrade the cycling infrastructure and network in the city centre subject to DRD engagement with the frontages along the proposed routes.

·        It is recommended that Members agree the request from TNI for a presentation to Committee on the autumn programme in November.  All Members will be invited to this presentation which will be widened to include other transport issues and projects and should include DRD.

2.2       It is recommended that Committee supports the introduction of waiting restrictions on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0       Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update Members on proposals to establish Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Belfast and to make a recommendation as to how the council might vote in the Belfast One BID Ballot, which closes at the end of October 2015.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to:

-     Note the update on the Belfast One and Destination CQ BIDs

-     Agree to a yes vote in the Belfast One BID ballot, with the votes to be cast by the Director of Finance and Resources on behalf of the Council

3.0Key Issues

3.1At the 12th August 2015 meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, members were advised of the impending ballot within the Belfast One Business Improvement District (BID) area.

3.2The ballot will open on 17th September 2015 and will close 6 weeks later on 29th October 2015 with the result to be announced on 30th October 2015.

3.3Members are reminded that a BID is a business-led initiative in a defined area where businesses decide what additional improvements they want to deliver in that area.  The businesses agree on the level of funding required to deliver the projects and services that are additional to those already provided by the council or other statutory partners.  They agree to fund these services – set out in a business plan – through a levy which all businesses in the area are required to pay.

3.4The draft business plan for the Belfast One BID will be issued to all businesses in the area from 11th September 2015.  It will set out the broad priorities for action agreed to date by the BID Task Team (comprising rate payers in the area).  The final business plan cannot be agreed until the BID is operational.  At this point, it becomes a legally binding document which the BID company commits to deliver.  If the ballot is successful, the BID will become operational from 1st April 2016.

3.5In advance of the ballot, Land and Property Services (LPS) have provided some more refined rates data.  This confirms that there are now 1,025 properties within the Belfast One BID area, with a combined rateable value of £77.7 million.  The Belfast One BID is proposing a levy of 1.5% of the rateable value.  This should produce a total annual income of around £1.1 million for the BID.  There will be a number of exemptions, including properties with an NAV of less than £10,000 per annum and churches and charities with no retail outlets.  There will also be a reduced levy (1.2%) for properties located within shopping centres.

3.6Belfast City Council pays rates on three properties within the Belfast One Boundary; Seymour House and Digital Services buildings in Gloucester Street and City Hall.  The Council will be liable for a BID levy of almost £12,000 annually for these properties.  It will have 3 votes in the BID ballot.

3.7The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 22nd April, it had approved the payment of £15,000 towards a Ciclovia Belfast Event, which promoted the closure of streets within cities in order to facilitate walking and cycling on certain days, to take place in June, 2015.  The Members were reminded that Ciclovia Belfast had advised that the event would be delivered by an organisation called “Upbeat” and it would be taking place in conjunction with “Bike Week”.  However, due to the tight timescales and a range of planning activity that was required in advance of the event, delivery within the June timeframe had not been feasible.  Ciclovia Belfast had now proposed to reschedule the event for 4th October, 2015.  They had also advised the Council that the delivery partner for the event would be the Pioneer Group.

Noted.

            (Mr. G. Copeland, Events Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0       Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       This is an update paper for Members and is a follow-on from a report to Committee on the 21 August re plans for Belfast’s hosting of the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, which will take place at the Odyssey Arena on Sunday 20 December 2015.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to note the report.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

            It is estimated that the BBC Sports Personality of the Year will attract an audience of around 7,000 people, with the public coming from both in-state and out-of-state.  Tickets will be sold by the BBC and details of these arrangements are still to be announced.  As a public partner, Belfast City Council will be allocated tickets for the event.  This iconic awards ceremony will be broadcast to an audience of over ten million viewers via BBC’s various broadcasting channels, including BBC 1, BBC Digital and BBC Radio 5 Live. 

3.2       It is envisaged that the project will make a major contribution to the local economy through accommodation requirements in the hotels in the city and beyond, and through the purchasing of local services and products to support the production of the event. The event also gives the city the opportunity to present itself in a positive manner.

3.3       The Council’s City Events and Sports Development Units have met with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year team to develop a series of ‘lead in’ events built around sports development. These will be delivered with the BBC’s ‘Get Inspired Active Academy’ brand.  Under this banner a programme of sports outreach initiatives will operate from the end of September to the end of December that will engage with schools, community groups and clubs across the city.   

3.4       Four try it days will take place in North, South, East & West of the city over the months Oct, Nov & early Dec.  The aim of these events is to provide taster sessions to teenagers across the city in activities/sports that are not usually available in school/ non mainstream sports such as table tennis, dodgeball, cricket, GAA, rugby, boxing, cycling amongst others.  In regard to cycling it would be the plan to promote the Council’s Belfast Bike scheme as part of this sports development opportunity.  In addition these events will help establish pathways to local clubs by using local coaches that can inform students on training days/times. 

3.5       Promotional material detailing club contacts are to be circulated around participants. Each session will target between 60-120 teenagers.

3.6       The month of October will include a Sporting Halloween programme.  Ten Clubmark (a recognition of quality) clubs from across the city will organise outreach coaching for young people in schools/community/youth centre settings during the first three weeks. The young people involved will then be offered free coaching camps during the Halloween week in the clubs’ premises with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

            (Mr. G. Fenlon, Interim Managing Director, Waterfront and Ulster Halls, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee noted the actions which were being undertaken to address and reduce the overspend at the Belfast Waterfront Hall.

            (Mr. M. Chalis, Zoo Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee noted the contents of a report and the associated action plan to address the financial performance of the Belfast Zoo.