Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from Alderman McGimpsey.

            The minutes of the special meeting of 3rd and the meeting of 9th December were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 5th January.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The Committee acceded to a request from Libraries NI to present to a future meeting.

            The Chairperson advised the Committee that Professor Neil Gibson, Director of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC), was in attendance and he was admitted to the meeting.

            Professor Gibson explained to the Committee that the UUEPC was a self-financing, independent economic research centre, which focused on producing evidence based research to inform policy development and implementation.  He highlighted to the Committee that the Centre had been heavily involved in the research around Small Business Rate Relief and Air Passenger Duty (APD) for Northern Ireland.  He reminded the Committee that, as one of its sponsors over the next two years, the Centre was available as a critical friend to provide assistance and research to the Council, particularly in relation to the Belfast Agenda and the challenge of economic regeneration within the City. 

            He provided the Members with an overview of the economic challenges that existed currently for Belfast, both in a wider and a local context as Northern Ireland’s capital city.  He highlighted that the public sector remained the largest employer in Northern Ireland, that increased numbers of people were in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and, while the percentage of those in employment had increased, that this was not a long-term trend and that there was a need to continue to exercise caution. 

            In response to a question on apprenticeships and the education system, Professor Gibson highlighted that it was important that our schools enforced the message that all jobs mattered in order to create a successful and stable local economy.  He also suggested that there should be an aim to erase the hierarchy between ‘further’ and ‘higher’ education and that employers had a key role to play in this regard.  In response to a further Member’s question, he also advised that if a business was to leave the city, for example, it would be crucial to find out the reasons behind that decision.

            After discussion, the Chief Executive and the Interim Director of Development advised the Members that working with the Centre would be extremely useful over the next few years, particularly in enhancing the Council’s ongoing analysis of the city economy and supporting the underpinning evidence base for the Belfast Agenda.

            The Chairperson thanked Professor Gibson for his presentation and he retired from the meeting.

            The Committee agreed to receive future updates in relation to the work of the Centre and that copies of Professor Gibson’s presentation would be circulated to the Members. 

            The Committee was advised that Anne McReynolds, Chief Executive, Joe O’Neill, Chairman, and Ciaran McQuillan, Learning and Participation Officer, from the MAC were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting.

            Ms. McReynolds stated that the MAC had opened in April 2012 following an £18m capital development in the Cathedral Quarter and that it had received support from both the public and the private sector, including Belfast City Council.  She highlighted to the Committee that over 1.1million people had visited the MAC since it had opened, exceeding its target by over 66%, and that it had received 17 awards for the building, its business and its work. She pointed out that the location of the MAC had been crucial in the vast regeneration of the now vibrant Cathedral Quarter.  She confirmed that the galleries in the building were opened until 7.00pm daily and that they had large numbers of young people using ‘the den’ to do homework since it had installed free public wi-fi.

            The Committee was advised that the MAC was a core multi-annual funded client of Belfast City Council’s Tourism, Culture and Arts unit and that three years of funding had commenced in April 2013, which was due to end on 31st March, 2016.  The MAC received £75,000 a year through this programme.  The Committee was advised that the MAC had since submitted an application for the new Core Multi-annual Funding Programme operating between 1st April, 2016 and 31st March, 2020 and that they had requested £250,000 a year for 4 years.  The Chief Executive of the MAC advised the Members that the requested uplift in funding was due to a significant shortfall in the funding needed to run the venue in an effective way.

            During discussion, a Member asked who would be liable to pay for the replacement of the external cladding which had recently been highlighted in the media, to which the Chair of the MAC advised that a construction lawyer had been engaged and that this was currently being determined.  In response to a number of further questions from the Members, the Chief Executive of the MAC advised that they appreciated that the Council suffered from significant demand for funding from a number of organisations and expressed that any assistance from the Council towards securing funding from other sources would be appreciated.

            After discussion, during which it was pointed out that the Core Multi-Annual Funding (CMAF) would be discussed later in the meeting, the Committee agreed that the appropriate officers from the Council should engage with the MAC to investigate ways in which it could assist the organisation in attracting funding from other sources.

            The Chairperson thanked the representatives from the MAC for their presentation and they retired from the meeting.

            The Chief Executive reminded the Committee that, on 18th September, 2015, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that the Council should lead a city partnership delegation to MIPIM which would take place in France from 14th – 17th March, 2016. A budget of £60,000 had been approved on the understanding that there would be equivalent match funding from the private sector. The Chief Executive advised the Committee that contributions of £85,500 had now been secured, which exceeded the minimum match funding target which had been agreed by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and that further contributions were expected. 

            She outlined that MIPIM attracted 20,000 delegates, including 4,500 investors and 1,500 developers, and that the purpose of the Belfast delegation would be to attract investors in the real estate sector and significant institutional investment funds. She explained that the delegation would achieve this by positioning the City alongside international counterparts as well as presenting investment and development opportunities in a compelling and deliverable manner.

            The Committee was advised that a successful event to promote Belfast at MIPIM had been held in Victoria Square on 27th November, 2015, and that 11 external partners had now agreed to join the City delegation, and that they hoped to announce further partners prior to March 2016.  The 11 partners included A&L Goodbody, Belfast Harbour, Bywater Properties, Deloitte, Invest NI, Kilmona Holdings, Lacuna Developments, 16 South, Stelify Media, Titanic Quarter, and Tughans, and the Members were advised that both Queen’s and the Ulster University were also involved. 

            She also advised that the event programme was being finalised and would be presented to the Committee in February, but that key aspects of the programme would include:

·        three themed days covering creative industries, waterfront cities, and financial technology and professional services;

·        showcasing investment opportunities, including strategic projects such as the NE Quarter, Transport Hub, Titanic Quarter, City Quays, Linen Quarter and the Cultural Hub. It would focus on the intention to reduce corporation tax from 20% to 12.5% in 2018; and

·        events with other European partner cities including a specific Waterfront Cities event.

            The Committee noted the progress made to date.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0  Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1    Members will recall that they were updated in August 2015 that the potential for the development of a major city centre cultural and visitor attraction has been highlighted in a number of recent internal strategies including the City Centre Regeneration Strategy and Investment Plan and the Integrated Tourism Strategy for Belfast 2015-2020 and that in addition a range of other cultural infrastructure proposals were under development by a number of organisations including the Arts Council, Royal Ulster Academy, the National Museums Northern Ireland and the BBC’s digital archive.  Given this Members agreed that Council officers should continue to engage with key stakeholders regarding the potential for collaboration and how the proposals under development could be best aligned towards developing one further major attraction for the city.

1.2    In addition, the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy suggests that an Innovation/Creative District or area should be created around the new University of Ulster Campus and that the planned new premises for the BBC might help anchor such a creative/innovation district in that part of the city.  Recent and proposed trading of land and property in this area also has the potential to facilitate a much more substantial proposal to link the Cultural Hub with an Innovation/Creative District. The potential for such a significant regeneration scheme also presents substantial opportunities for social entrepreneurship, employability schemes, outreach to communities, etc. 

1.3    The purpose of this report is to:

-       Update Members on the ongoing engagement with stakeholders regarding the development of a major attraction in the city centre

-       Agree that a business case is undertaken  in relation to the next steps in the development of a Cultural Hub (linked to the Innovation/Creative district proposal) to test its feasibility, affordability, deliverability and sustainability

2.0    Recommendations

2.1    Members are asked to note the content of this report and –

-       note that ongoing discussions with partners have highlighted that there is an in-principle agreement to explore complementary proposals for the development of a major city centre cultural and visitor attraction

-       in light of this, agree that a business case is undertaken into the next steps in relation to the development of a Cultural Hub linked to an Innovation / creative district which will test its affordability, deliverability, feasibility and sustainability.  The study will be funded from the City Centre Regeneration budget and will be taken forward by officers from the City Centre Team, the Development Department and the Property & Projects Department.  A number of partner organisations have indicated that they are willing to support the costs of the development of the business case and officers will continue discussions to secure match funding

-       note that the Cultural Hub will require a significant capital investment. Council officers are therefore also exploring other potential avenues for funding for the proposed project including private investment, EU funding, philanthropic contribution and public sector support. The Cultural Hub has also been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

            The Committee considered the undernoted report in conjunction with a summary of the updated City narrative and propositions:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To update elected members on progress on the place positioning process; to seek members’ approval to market test the draft city narrative and to proceed to implementation with city stakeholders.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to agree to testing further the refined city’s narrative/proposition with key stakeholders and within key target markets and to officers working with stakeholders to agree a joint implementation plan from 2016/17 onwards.

3.0       Main report

3.1      Key Issues

            Members previously considered a paper entitled ‘International Marketing Framework for Belfast’ and approved the following for development;

-       The development of a city narrative / proposition.

-       A refresh of the city positioning ensuring it reflects the city’s ambitions, its values and narrative, which is collectively owned by the city’s stakeholders.

-       Agreed target audiences, product development priorities and marketing initiatives to be outlined in an implementation plan.

-       Suggested delivery structures.

3.2       It is crucial to note that this work is not about a brand or a strap line, but rather a unique city proposition that stakeholders and the council will use to support the ambition for the city, improve standards and behaviours, support growth in the local economy and increase civic pride. This work will impact on how the city works at various levels.  For  example, it will

·        Provide a citywide strategic framework influencing the approaches of key partner organisations, including the education sector, investment agencies, the tourism and cultural sector, social enterprise, public agencies, our arms length companies and businesses.

·        At a council level it will influence our decision making and shape how we approach communications and marketing, economic development, events, funding and our internal change programme.   It will support the delivery of the Belfast Agenda and key elements of that including the Employability and Skills Strategy, the Integrated Tourism Strategy, Cultural Framework, Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy, the Events Framework and the Waterfront transformation process.

·        It will inform how the city is promoted and marketed to investors, students, tourists and businesses/employers. A coherent proposition will enable the demonstration of momentum under one city banner, for example through branding all development sites across the city, the type of events we host, how we launch new initiatives/ developments and how we report on growth in tourism, investment etc.

3.3       Clearly, this narrative/proposition is for the city as a whole and not for the council per se -  it must  therefore work for other stakeholders like Invest NI, the private sector, tourism, culture and arts, creative industries and education etc.

3.4       During 2015, extensive consultation was undertaken including:

·        50 one- to -one meetings with key City stakeholders.

·        Four sectoral focus groups.

·        Two workshops with over 100 selected people.

3.5       The work was overseen by a steering group representing higher and third level education, investment agencies, tourism and hospitality bodies, creative and arts sectors, media  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3c

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to inform Members of the opportunities for Belfast through the EU funded Rural Development Programme, and seek approval for accessing the programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       It is recommended that the Committee:

-       Notes the opportunities for Belfast within the new Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

-       Agrees to allocate £10,000 towards the development of village plans for Hannahstown and Edenderry.

-       Notes the financial and staffing resources required to develop relevant elements of the programme.

-       Agrees to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to enter into the SLA with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.

3.0       Main report

3.1       A budget of £500m has been agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive for the Rural Development Fund 2014-2020.

3.2       Part of the funding is allocated through council-led LAGs (Local Action Groups).  Belfast is part of a LAG along with the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area.  Not all areas in Belfast are eligible under the Rural Development Programme.  This is confined to the rural boundary (see Appendix One).

3.3       A funding allocation of £3.23m is available for all activity in this LAG area.  This covers the following:

-       Rural Business Investment Scheme

-       Rural Broadband Scheme

-       Rural Basic Services

-       Village Renewal

-       All-Island Cooperation Scheme.

3.4       In addition to the LAG – funded activities, councils can benefit from support under the Rural Tourism Scheme.  This was the subject of a separate report to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in December 2015 with a view to agreeing priority projects to be submitted for funding.

3.5       The LAG governance structure is made up of 51% social partners and 49% elected members.  Councillor Stephen Magennis is the appointed Belfast City Council elected member representative.  The group is responsible for developing the strategy under which the relevant funding is allocated.  An interim strategy has now been drafted.  DARD has advised that local strategies should be consistent with council community plans.  They acknowledge that these will not be in place until 2016, and therefore they accept that the strategies may have to be revised at that point.

3.6       The LAG in which Belfast and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councils operate is the only LAG that involves two council areas.  All other LAGs are based on single council areas.

3.7       In order to raise awareness of opportunities for funding under this programme within the Belfast area, Officers held two consultation sessions with potentially eligible businesses, community groups and individuals.  These took place as follows:

-       24 November 2015, Malone House Belfast

-       02 December 2015, Sally Gardens Community Centre Belfast.

3.8       The LAG Board formally approved the Lagan Rural Partnership Strategy on 14 December 2015 along with the amended Articles of Association for the new LAG Board.  Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will now enter into a Service Level Agreement with the LAG Board Members including BCC to service the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

3.9       Activities relevant to Belfast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3d

            The Interim Director of Development reminded the Committee that the Friendship Four Festival had been held in Belfast on 27th and 28th November 2015 and that this had been the first major output from the Boston-Belfast Sister City Partnership. The Director stated that this had been the first time that competitive college ice hockey had been played outside of the United States and that Belfast City Council had been a key sponsor of the initiative, along with DCAL, DEL, Sport NI, Tourism Ireland, Tourism NI, CITI, the US State Department and the city of Boston.

            He advised that, over the course of the festival, a civic dinner had been held on 25th November with 160 people in attendance, as well as an economic briefing for the Boston delegation on Belfast’s key priorities, development plans and economic position.

            In addition to the sporting events, the Members were advised that business representatives from Boston had had a number of meetings with Belfast contacts where a range of opportunities had been identified for future business-related activities between the Sister Cities.  In order to progress those discussions, the Chairman of the Sister Cities Group in Boston had invited the Lord Mayor to Boston in February 2016.  This visit would also coincide with a future visit to Boston by representatives from the Odyssey, who were planning a repeat of the Friendship Four event in November 2016.  The Committee was advised that travel and accommodation costs were approximately £5,600, for 3 people for a 5 day programme, and would be met through the International Relations Budget.

            The Committee agreed to the participation of the Lord Mayor and two officers to travel to Boston from 4th-9th February, 2016, to engage in a series of follow-up meetings to develop additional activities for the coming year.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0  Purpose of Report

1.1   The purpose of this report is to request Members’ approval for a 2016 Belfast Food and Drink Tourism Development Plan. The aim of the plan is to maximise Belfast’s profile during the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 and generate maximum PR for the city.  The plan will prioritise activities to achieve targets identified in the Belfast Integrated Tourism Strategy 2015 to 2020.

1.2    If successful in securing partner funding, the main elements of the plan will deliver the second Focus on Food Tourism Conference, a series of Twilight @ St George’s Market events, a Tourism Northern Ireland Meet the Buyer support event and an extended version of Belfast Restaurant Week.

1.3    This Plan focuses on activity to be led by Belfast City Council.  However, the activities have been developed in conjunction with a range of partner organisations.  It will be important to maintain a partnership approach to the delivery of these activities.

2.0    Recommendations

2.1    Members are asked to approve an allocation of £30,000 from the 2016-17 TCH&A budget to deliver upon the attached food tourism development plan to support delivery of the range of priority activities set out in Appendix 1.  This activity will be delivered with partners across the city as part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 programme. Sponsorship will also be sought. 

3.0   Main report

3.1   Background

         The Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 is led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in partnership with government departments including the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development.   A total budget of £2.75m has been committed and this will be administered via Tourism Northern Ireland, Food Northern Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.  The PR targets set are ambitious and it is important that Belfast has a clear plan to maximise the opportunities for our city and attract the investment required to deliver our vision for tourism growth.

3.2    Belfast City Council has led the development of a series of food tourism experiences in partnership with the private sector and has successfully generated support and income from partners including DARD through the NIRFP.  The programme has supported:

-       The launch and establishment of the Belfast Bred Tour in 2010

-       Great Belfast Food Week March 2010 and 2011

-       Belfast Restaurant Week October  2012, 2013, 2014

-       Taste and Dine October 2013, 2014

-       Focus on Food Conference February 2015

-       New Norths Brian Friel Food and Drink Mini Festival August 2015

-       Twilight @ St George’s November 2015

3.3    The programmes delivered have successfully raised the profile of the food and drink offer, generated positive and valuable PR and increased additional spend and visitor numbers as well as helping to animate the day and evening economy.  In 2014 Belfast Restaurant Week generated over £1m in PR and attracted 36,000 people from the Greater Belfast area, spending £500,000.  The recent Twilight @ St George’s Market attracted 17,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

            The Interim Director of Development provided the Committee with an update on the plans for this year’s EU Youth Parliament.  He reminded the Members that the EYP was a programme for and by young people, which brought together young people from all over Europe to discuss current topics in a parliamentary setting. Its mission was to inspire and empower young Europeans to become open-minded, tolerant and active citizens and it was one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, European civic education and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe.

            The Committee was advised that the programme would be split between Belfast and Dublin and would be the first EYP International Session to be hosted by 2 cities.  While in Belfast, from 4th – 9th March, the International Session would gather 300 young people aged 16-25 years who were EYP members, under the theme of “Crossing Borders, Transcending Conflict”.  The delegates would participate in team building activities, cultural exchanges, an international version of EurVoice and EYP committee debates.  The cost of organising the Session would be £5,000 and the Members were advised that the funding would be taken from within the existing European Unit budget.

            The Director also advised that the official opening of the event would take place in the City Hall on 7th March, 2016, and that the event’s Eurovillage, displaying the delegates’ culinary traditions, was likely to take place in St George’s Market. The Lord Mayor would speak at this event and an invitation would be extended to all Members of the Committee.

            The Committee approved the allocation of financial assistance to the value of £5,000 from within the existing European Unit budget in relation to the International Session in the city in March 2016.

(Ms. J. Wilson, Business Manager in Parks, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Business Manager reminded the Committee that, at its meeting in August 2015, it had received a report on the financial performance of the Zoo as well as an Action Plan for improvement.  The Members were advised that the performance of the commercial assets of the department had been under scrutiny due to the financial pressures they were facing with reduced income and increasing charges for goods and services.

            She advised that a key piece of work had been undertaken to benchmark the commercial services and to review their performance over the last number of years.  The Committee was advised that the approach had included developing common design principles, for further discussion, which may include:

·        sustainable job creation where possible;

·        a review of working arrangements to reflect customer experience;

·        achieving NITB visitor star grading;

·        maintaining World-Host status;

·        a 30% reduction in subsidy levels over the next 3 years;

·        that the status quo could not continue;

·        introduction of peripatetic/ flexible roles; and

·        maximising revenue opportunities where possible

·        these will be worked through further in the context of the corporate approach to change and improvement

            The Committee was advised that a programme of capital investment to support the refurbishment of the enclosures and other historic assets at the site would be vital to the long term sustainability of the Zoo and that it was important that the regional significance of the Zoo was also captured within the project.  A number of Members expressed concerns that the number of visitors was declining while the costs of running the Zoo were increasing.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the progress which had been made in the improvement programme and agreed to received quarterly updates; and

2.     requested that a further report be brought to a future meeting with an analysis of what other zoos were doing, by comparison, and looking at the broader issues.

            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 provide additional marketing and advertising support to non-Council markets operating across the city

-       Update Members on the success of the recent Twilight Market and to set out plans for future events of this type.

2.0      Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Agree a budget of £5,000 to promote and advertise non-Council markets across the City in the coming calendar year, with finances being set aside within the Markets Unit budget

·        Note the success of the Twilight Market at St George’s on 11 November 2015 and note plans for similar future events in the coming year.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Promoting local markets

            Members will recall that, at an earlier meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, it was agreed that consideration should be given to how the council could provide additional promotional support to non-Council markets that were operating across the city. 

3.2       At present, there are a number of regular markets that are run by organisations other than the Council.  These include:

-       Folktown Market – takes places every Thursday in Bank Square (but now closed for the winter season)

-       Fine and Dandy Market – takes place on last Sunday in every month in Crescent Arts Centre

-       Ballyhackamore Market – takes place on second Saturday of every month in grounds of St Colmcille’s church on Upper Newtownards Road

-       Conway Mill Market – takes place every Saturday in the mill

-       Dock Market – takes place at Titanic Quarter every other Saturday

-       Proposal for Cathedral Quarter/Dirty Onion – still to be developed

3.3       There are also a number of markets that operate on a one-off basis.  All markets are in receipt of a relevant licence from the Council, which gives them permission to trade and sets out the parameters of their operation, as well as any fees due to the Council. 

3.4       Members asked officers to draw up a plan to help promote these markets and to encourage the establishment of additional markets.  Officers from the Markets Unit have worked with Corporate Communications to develop an advertising and promotional campaign.  This plan will cover a 3-month period early in the New Year (in line with when markets are operational) and will include:

-       Radio, Press and Online advertising

-       Website update

-       Regular Facebook and Twitter posts on Belfast City Council accounts in line with market timings.

3.5       The costs for the advertising activity have been negotiated down to around £5,000. The Council Facebook, Twitter and website updates will be undertaken by officers at no additional financial cost, apart from staff time commitment.  The campaign will be monitored and reviewed at the end of the period, with a view to measuring its effectiveness. 

3.6       Twilight Market

            Members will be aware that the first ever Twilight Market took place at St George’s Market on 11 November 2015.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this item to the Special Meeting which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 3rd February, at which the Belfast Public Hire Taxi Service were invited to attend.

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

            The Chief Executive provided the Members with a progress report in relation to the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy (CCRIS).  The Committee was reminded that the CCRIS had been formally launched on 22nd September, 2015, and over the last four months the Council had been implementing the Strategy across five thematic areas, namely, flagship projects, medium term projects, development strategy, go to market and delivery.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee considered a report, which had been prepared by the Director of Finance and Resources, in relation to the establishment of the District Rate and the compilation of the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the year 2016/2017.

            The Director provided an overview of the additional financing requirement for the Council for 2016/17.  He presented the cash limit for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee for 2016/17, as recommended by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on the 18th December, 2015, and outlined the next steps in the rate setting process which would lead to the setting of the district rate by Council at its meeting in February, 2016.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed:

1.     a cash limit for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee for 2016/17 of £15,886,293 and the individual service cash limits detailed in the report; and

2.     noted that further party group briefings on the district rate and the efficiency programme would be held in January 2016, prior to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 22nd January 2016.

            (Ms. E. Henry, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Arts Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Head of Economic Initiatives and International Development and the Assistant Tourism, Culture and Arts Manager outlined to the Committee the recommended amount of funding for various organisations under the Core Multi-Annual Funding Programme 2016-2020.  The Members were reminded that this four year period had been set in line with the Cultural Framework which would finish in 2020. 

            The Head of Economic Initiatives explained that the purpose of the funding was to support core and associated programme costs, offering long term sustainability for Belfast-based arts or heritage organisations which had full time staff and ongoing annual costs, and which produced work which substantially benefitted the city. 

            She advised the Members that 56 out of 79 applications were recommended to receive support and provided an overview of the criteria for decision making, the principles of the assessment process, rationale for funding allocations and information on follow-up support.

            In response to a Member’s question, the Assistant Tourism, Culture and Arts Manager confirmed that, for those organisations which were unsuccessful under the 2016-2020 scheme, officers would help to identify other funding sources which might be available to them, including Small Grants Programmes managed by the Tourism, Culture and Arts Unit, during their debrief meeting. 

            In response to a further Member’s question, the Committee requested officers to consider ways in which additional support and advice could be given to the unsuccessful groups which had recently transferred in from a different council area.

            The Committee adopted the recommendations for Core Multi-Annual Funding 2016-2020 as set out within the report.