Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors McDonough-Brown and Lyons.

            The minutes of the meeting of 13th January 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 February.

            In respect of Item 5a on the agenda, viz., European Social Fund, Councillor Graham declared an interest in that she was employed by a company which was in receipt of funding through that fund.

            The Committee acceded to a request from Visit Belfast to present at its next meeting.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st February, had referred the undernoted Notice of Motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Boyle and seconded by the High Sheriff, Alderman Rodgers, to the Committee for consideration in accordance with Standing Orders:

      “This Council requests that the Minister for Regional Development and the senior management team of Transport NI come before the Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee to hear concerns from Councillors about the impact that bus lanes and bus lane cameras are having on motorists, commuters and local businesses, with a view to devising solutions which will make Belfast City Centre an easier place in which to live, relax and work.”

            After discussion, it was

      Moved by Alderman Stalford,

      Seconded by Alderman McGimpsey and

      Resolved - That this Council, as a matter of policy going forward, will regularly meet the senior managers of Transport NI to discuss the impact of government policy on the transport infrastructure of Belfast city centre with a view to making it an easier place to work, shop, visit, live and enjoy leisure.

            The Chairperson advised the Committee that Ms. Mandy Bryson, Assistant Director, and Mr. Desi Miskelly, Assets Manager, from Libraries NI were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting.

            Mr. Miskelly presented an overview of current library facilities which were available throughout the city and highlighted those which had undergone refurbishment since 2009.  He explained the history of the Belfast Central Library and outlined its many resources, which included a large newspaper archive, public computers and free wifi.  The Committee was advised that the Belfast Central Library buildings had had a number of improvement works carried out over the past decade but that much of it remained inaccessible to the public.

            Mr. Miskelly advised the Members that Libraries NI wished to establish a central library which balanced the need for archive facilities and the ambition to create an accessible and attractive public library.  He therefore advised that Libraries NI had developed proposals to restore the original Victorian library building and address the inefficiencies, creating over 9500m² of library space where over 80% would be open to the public.  Ms. Bryson advised that they wanted to create a public space where people could research, learn, discover and socialise and explained that they had looked at a number of good practice examples in countries from around the world at how to incorporate all of those.  She advised the Members that the business case had been submitted to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) in November, 2015, which proposed redevelopment on the current site at a cost of £32.5 million, and on which they were awaiting approval.

            During discussion, the representatives from Libraries NI answered a number of Members’ questions regarding future proofing of the library, the impact that modern technology had had on library usage, the impact that the upcoming influx of students would have on the area and the potential to work with the Council to ensure integration with the City Centre Plan and other developments in the area.

            The Chairperson thanked the representatives from Libraries NI for their presentation and they left the meeting.

            The Chairperson reminded the Members that the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy had identified car parking as a major issue for Belfast city centre and that the Council had been working with the Department for Regional Development (DRD) to develop and implement a strategy for car parking for the city. The Council had commissioned consultants, AECOM, in October 2015 to develop a Car Parking Strategy and a project steering group consisting of Council officers and representatives from DRD had been set up to assist AECOM with the development of the Strategy.

            The Chairperson advised the Committee that Mr. Peter Morrow and Mr. Tim Robinson from AECOM were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting.  Mr. Robinson outlined the progress of the strategy to the Members, particularly the baseline research, the emerging issues and the outcomes from consultation with key stakeholders.

            Mr. Robinson highlighted to the Committee that there were a number of large transport schemes potentially coming forward within the city, including the York Street Interchange and the Belfast Transport Hub, as well as regeneration masterplans such as Ulster University’s Belfast campus, the Linen Quarter and Northside.  He advised the Members that those schemes would impact on parking and would therefore be considered within the development of the strategy. 

            During discussion, the Committee was advised that there were 40,000 car parking spaces within the city and that the Council now controlled just 6% of these.  Mr. Robinson also outlined that, in terms of how parking influenced town centre attractiveness, studies noted that location was the number one factor for customers and that parking costs were less important.

            A number of Members made the point that people should be encouraged to come into the city centre by any mode of transport that they chose and that the Council should be careful not to actively deter those in cars from the city.  A further number of Members expressed their ambition to further explore how Residents’ Parking Schemes might operate in neighbourhoods adjoining the city centre, while a Member asked AECOM to hold a one-off session with those communities which bounded the city centre in relation to issues such as commuter parking.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the findings presented by AECOM on the emerging Car Parking Strategy;

2.     noted that officers were aiming to have a draft strategy published for public consultation by May 2016;

3.     noted that party briefings would be available for those who wished to avail of them; and

4.     agreed that a one-off workshop would be held with AECOM and the inner-city communities which bordered the city centre, in order to discuss the issues which they faced, such as commuter parking.

            The Committee was advised that the Council, along with 62 other Irish and Northern Irish local authorities who had US-based linkages, had been invited by the cities of Dublin and San Jose to participate in an international summit which would take place in Dublin, from 21st to 22nd April, 2016. The Members were informed that an event would celebrate Northern Ireland/Ireland – US connections, including the role that those relationships had played in supporting sustainable economic growth on the island of Ireland.

            The Chairperson reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 12th August 2015, it had agreed to invite the Mayors of Nashville and Boston to attend the Dublin event and to come to Belfast for a series of meetings on 19th and 20th April, in advance of the Summit. She confirmed that both cities had confirmed their attendance and were in the process of recruiting respective delegations.

            The Committee agreed:

1.     that the Council would participate in the Sister Cities International Summit in Dublin 21-22 April 2016; and

2.     that the Council would be represented by the Lord Mayor, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, or their nominees, and representatives from each of the remaining parties, along with the Chief Executive, the Director of Development and an Officer from the EU and International Relations Unit.

            Councillor Graham declared an interest in Item 5(a), viz., “European Social Fund” in so far as her employer was in receipt of funding from the fund and she left the room while the item was under discussion.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of the report is to update Members on progress of the European Social Fund (ESF) projects that Belfast City Council agreed to match fund in Year One and to propose the continuation of match funding for the projects for Year Two, in line with Year One commitments and subject to approval of expenditure by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Agree to match funding provision for Year Two of the projects at the levels provided for Year One activity.

-       Note and agree the proposals to engage with the ESF projects to identify opportunities for collaboration and added value.

3.0      Main report

3.1      Background to Employability and Skills

            Employability and Skills forms an integral part of the Belfast Agenda with key priorities around jobs, skills and addressing educational inequalities. Belfast City Council commissioned an Employability and Skills Framework, which identifies how the education and skills challenges articulated through the Belfast Agenda might be addressed in a way that can support more inclusive economic growth in the City of Belfast. 

3.2       The draft Employability and Skills Framework identifies several key challenges including high levels of economic inactivity, significant gaps in qualifications and skills, disparities in educational attainment and low levels of entrepreneurship.  The ESF projects form a key contribution to developing the skills levels of those furthest from the labour market.

3.3       The Draft Employability and Skills Framework is being updated to incorporate amendments arising from the consultation process. In tandem with this, officers are preparing an implementation plan linking Employability and Skills with the Council’s ambitions to support social value and address poverty. The plan will be developed with input from Corporate HR and Economic Development, taking into account the existing employability work of the Council. It will also identify how future resources could be best utilised to add value, whilst working in partnership with key stakeholders. An outline of this implementation plan and final Employability and Skills Framework document will be tabled to a future meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for endorsement.

3.4       European Social Fund

            As Members will be aware, the European Social Fund (ESF), managed by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), aims to reduce economic inactivity and increase workforce skills primarily targeting those furthest removed from the labour market. Interventions supported through ESF are varied in terms of their target market and mechanisms of support. In practice, however, this includes job clinics, legal and debt advice as well as work placements, into work support and training up to Level One (equivalent to GCSE grades D-G). The outcomes of ESF projects are geared towards progression into employment, self-employment and/or further training.

3.5       At  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had supported the inaugural Belfast Technology Conference event which had taken place in April 2014 and the second conference which had taken place in April 2015.  The sponsorship from the Council for both years had been £15,000.  A request had now been received for a funding contribution of £10,000 towards the delivery of the Belfast Technology Conference 2016 (BelTech).

            The Members were advised that the 2015 conference had brought together technology and business leaders, as well as politicians from Belfast, USA and Europe.  They were advised that the 2016 conference would again be held at Titanic Belfast and would target technology professionals, tech business owners, potential business founders and post primary school children, teachers and university students. The Members were advised that representatives from UC Berkeley, California and Uber had been invited as keynote speakers and that, to date, twelve key speakers had been confirmed.

            The finance requested from the Council for the 2016 event was sponsorship of £10,000, a reduction of £5,000 from previous years, and it was outlined that sponsorship of the Belfast Technology Conference would provide the Council with the following:

·        a full page advertisement in the conference brochure;

·        prime time positioning of the Council logo on all materials (including the website, press ads, marketing materials);

·        inclusion in pre-event publicity and post event publicity;

·        relevant promotional material in delegate packs;

·        prime exhibition space and an opportunity for additional displays throughout the venue;

·        delegate passes (number still to be agreed);

·        an opportunity for additional exhibition stand for Invest NI to promote innovation space across NI, in particular Forthriver Innovation Centre and North Foreshore;

·        an opportunity for an additional exhibition stand for Enterprise NI to promote the ‘Go for it’ business start programme;

·        access to networking events for companies participating on BCC creative and digital industry programmes; and

·        that 10 post-primary schools were expected to attend, representing 200pupils from all areas of the city.

            The Committee:

1.     considered and approved Council sponsorship of £10,000 to support the BelTech conference which would be held in Belfast on 21st and 22nd April 2016; and

2.     noted that this would be met from the current Economic Development unit budgets.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to propose an increase in the stall fee for St George’s Market with effect from 1 April 2016, and to agree to further work to look at an appropriate fee structure, in order to support the future development of the market.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note and agree the proposal to increase the stall fee at St George’s Market, from £14, to £15 per stall per day, from 1 April 2016.

-       Note the proposal to review fees in the coming year and agree to receive a report at the end of 2016 with a proposal for stall fee levels with effect from 1 April 2017.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

            At the 18 February 2014 meeting of the Development Committee, Members agreed to increase the stall fees at St George’s Market by £1, to £14 per stall, with effect from 1 April 2014. There has not been an increase in stall fees since that date.

3.2       Members will be aware that the success of St George’s Market has grown significantly in recent years. Much of this success is due to ongoing investment by the Council in the venue, working in close partnership with the traders.

3.3       At present, the market attracts between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors on each market day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It is now one of the most significant visitor attractions in the city. In the 2015 calendar year, almost 1 million people visited the market.

3.4       In addition to the weekend markets, St George’s hosted the first ever Twilight Market in November 2015. This event was a huge success, attracting 17,000 visitors on the evening. Due to the popularity of the event, and in line with the Year of Food & Drink 2016, a number of Twilight Markets are scheduled to take place in 2016, each over a two night period in order to control pressures on the volume of people accessing the venue.

3.5       However, this success requires ongoing investment at the market in order to maintain standards. A review of the market in 2014 identified a number of infrastructure and staffing recommendations. Already £200,000 has been invested in infrastructure improvements in recent years. A staffing review is also under way at present, with a report due to be presented to the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee in February. This will provide additional front-facing staff at the market to deal with trader and customer queries, and will ensure that senior managers are present at all times.

3.6       The current stall fee of £14 represents very good value for money for traders, as it also includes marketing and promotion of the Market. Members will be aware that there are now a number of markets across the city. All of these markets are charging more than the fee for St George’s. For example, Folktown Markets charges £60 per stall per day, and Fine & Dandy Market  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

            The Chairperson reminded the Committee that it had agreed to defer making a decision on the recent consultation on public hire taxi rank provision within the Donegall Square area in order that representatives from both the Belfast Public Hire Taxi Service (BPHTS) and the Department of Regional Development (DRD) could present to the Committee at a special meeting on 3rd February, 2016.  The Members were advised that the Council was required to provide its response to the DRD consultation which proposed an increase in public hire taxi rank provision within the Donegall Square area.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that the Council’s response to the DRD proposal would include:

·        that the Council supported the proposed removal of restrictions on taxi access to one lane on Donegall Square West (closest to City Hall);

·        that the Council supported the amendment to the taxi rank on Donegall Square North to allow increased capacity for ranking;

·        that the DRD are requested to consider whether it would be appropriate to reallocate part/or all of the public hire taxi rank at Chichester Street for coach parking and allocate some of the coach parking space at Donegall Square West for a public hire taxi feeder rank, even on a trial basis, in consultation with relevant stakeholders such as representatives from coach operators and the PSNI; and

·        that the DRD are requested to consider proposals to improve signage information to the public hire taxi ranks within the city centre in conjunction with the Council.

            The Committee also noted:

·        that public hire taxi access would be considered as part of the Council’s ongoing implementation of the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Plan, and that experience of how public hire taxis operated in other UK cities would be investigated as part of that process;

·        that information would be sought from the NI Assembly Committee for Regional Development on the proposed discussions relating to public taxi hire access in the city centre; and

·        that an invitation had been extended to the Members of the Committee, by the Belfast Public Hire Taxi representatives, to undertake a tour of taxi rank facilities within the city centre if they wished.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       To provide Members with an update on the delivery of the International Relations Framework (IRFW) 2013 – 2015 and to set out the proposed approach for developing a new framework, as part of a wider programme of City promotion.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       note the content of the report and;

-       agree to receive a future report setting out the proposed future international relations framework, based on evaluation work undertaken by staff and supported external advice

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

            Members will be aware that one of the key commitments in the Council’s Investment Programme 2012 - 2015 was that the Council would work with City partners to promote Belfast proactively on the international stage to attract trade and investment, increase visitor and student numbers and build the networks necessary to support growth. 

3.2       In this context, an International Relations Framework and Action Plan were developed to shape how city stakeholders could work together to maximise the economic impact for Belfast.

3.3       The existing framework includes a number of aims and supporting objectives. These relate to developing meaningful partnerships with key cities in order to support economic growth in Belfast and to improve the perception of the city as a dynamic business location. The role of the city council is one of an enabler and broker, and the framework identifies the importance of involving other partner organisations in order to make the relationships sustainable.

3.4       This framework and a 2 year plan were agreed by Members at the August 2013 Development Committee.   Since that time Members have received updates outlining delivery of the action plan and highlighting additional areas of work that have arisen within the broad framework that was agreed.

3.5       The purpose of this report is to identify activities that took place under the International Relations Framework, highlight some of the outputs to date, set out some of the key challenges and issues for the future framework and consider proposed future activity in the context of a changing internal and external environment.

3.6       Throughout the delivery of the International Relations Framework, the Council has sought to add value to, endorse and maximise international connections that already existed within the Council itself or with city stakeholders.  We have done this by working closely with partners such as the universities, Invest NI, Belfast Metropolitan College, the British Council and government departments and agencies.

3.7       Overview of activity to date

            The following actions have been delivered throughout the lifetime of the International Relations Framework 2013 – 2015:

3.8       USA

-       Participated in South by South West in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

-       Undertook business mission to Nashville in 2013.

-       Undertook exploration mission to Washington, New York, New Brunswick and Toronto in 2013.

-       Hosted Nashville during Belfast Music Week in 2013.

-       Undertook West Coast USA Tech Mission in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

-       Undertook 5 outward missions to develop the Boston  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Committee considered the undernoted Draft Programme of Events for 2016/17:

*Members should note that target attendance figures are estimated and are subject to a number of extraneous factors; furthermore that the ‘success’ of an event should not be measured by attendance alone.

CITY EVENTS UNIT PROGRAMME 16/17

(EVENTS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY COUNCIL)

            The Committee:

1.     agreed the draft City Events Unit Programme of Events for 2016/17; and

2.     noted the current strategic review of the City’s events and festivals and the recommended next steps.

            The Chief Executive advised the Committee that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 24th April 2015, had agreed support for an outward visit to China in order to identify opportunities for collaborative activity between Belfast and Shenyang, China. This would be the first civic visit to Shenyang since a Memorandum of Understanding between Belfast and Shenyang had been signed in July 2013.  At that time, the Council had agreed that the Lord Mayor, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, or their nominees, and one Officer would participate in the visit. 

            However, the Members were advised that there had been significant momentum in recent months and with a number of city partners having confirmed their willingness to engage in the visit.  It was outlined to the Committee that, in addition to the civic request, Invest NI would lead a multi-sector trade mission to Shenyang for the first time and that there would also be representation from Belfast Metropolitan College, Queen’s University and Northern Ireland Connections.  The Members noted that the Confucius Centre at Ulster University had offered in-kind support by covering the costs of providing a translator for the visit.  The Committee was also advised that, given the level of commitment from city partners, the Chief Executive would also take part in the council’s delegation.  The Members were also requested to consider approving the participation of an additional officer to ensure appropriate support for the delegation, the cost of which would be met from within the International Relations budget

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the update on the proposed visit to Shenyang in May 2016; and

2.     agreed to the inclusion of one additional officer to accompany the delegation to ensure appropriate support for the programming and logistics.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       To update Committee on the preparations for MIPIM international property showcase, taking place in France from 15 -18 March 2016.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note the report and agree the preparations underway and the delegation from Belfast private sector and BCC. 

-       Note the local event on Investment in Belfast will be on 25 February (venue tbc)

3.0       Key Issues

            Background

3.1       On 18 Sept SP&R agreed Council should lead a city partnership delegation to MIPIM in March 2016. A budget of £60,000 was approved on the understanding there would be equivalent match funding from the private sector.

3.2       MIPIM attracts 20,000 delegates, including 4,500 investors and 1,500 developers. The purpose of the Belfast delegation is to attract investors in the real estate sector. We will achieve this by positioning the City alongside international counterparts; and by presenting investment and development opportunities in a compelling and deliverable manner.

3.3      In addition, MIPIM provides a platform to learn about our peer cities and understand the new methods currently being progressed to ensure cities are competitive.

3.4       A successful event to promote Belfast at MIPIM was held at Victoria Square on 27 November which was followed up with a number of one to one approaches. We now have 18 private sector partners who have agreed to join the City delegation.

3.5       In addition the MIPIM campaign has the support of Ulster University, Queens University, Invest NI, NI Screen and the BBC in helping to promote Belfast as a compelling location for investment and growth.

3.6       The 18 partners include: A&L Goodbody; Belfast Harbour; Bywater Properties; Carillion; CBRE; Deloitte; Kilmona Holdings; Lacuna Developments; Lagans; LSH; McAleer & Rushe; McLaughlin & Harvey; Lotus Group; 16 South; Stelify Media; Titanic Quarter; Todds; Bank of Ireland and Tughans.

3.7       Additional contributions in excess of £125,000 have been secured, which exceeds the minimum match funding target agreed with SP&R.  This demonstrates the seed corn investment placed by the City Council in taking the stand has brought together a strong private sector lead showcase for our City.

3.8       The Belfast narrative for the event will be ‘City of Talent’. This includes talent within specific sectors and in our educational achievement, but also includes a wider narrative of tenacity, innovation and creativity.  The theme for the event will be Let’s talk Belfast; Talent; Tax; Technology with the aim to ensure the key investment messages for Belfast are socialised and embedded in both the real estate and wider business sectors.  In addition a targeted media campaign accompanies the event with coverage secured in the Financial Times (27th January 2016) as well as trade journals and national press.

3.9       The importance of this campaign is to ensure the city is considered alongside its peers for FDI investment and that the unique selling points of Belfast are clearly articulated.

3.10     MC2, a specialist communications management company, are supporting delivery, along with Belfast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

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

            The Chief Executive reminded the Members that the Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy (BCCRIS) had identified Special Action Areas (SAA) for areas which were in need of an immediate, detailed and integrated planning approach.

            She undertook to provide the Committee with an overview of the proposed way forward for the East Bank area which encompassed the Sirocco site, Queen’s Quay and the linkage with the Titanic Quarter, East Belfast and the City Centre, as part of the ongoing approach to the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy.  She outlined to the Members that the East Bank area contained major development opportunities, planned transport interventions, such as Rapid Transit, and was situated in an important location between the east of the city and the traditional city centre. However, it was highlighted that the area currently suffered from poor accessibility and pedestrian connectivity and as a result, was disconnected from adjacent communities and the city centre. 

            During discussion, a Member requested that a specific reference to engaging with local communities be included within the strategy and the Committee agreed.

            The Chief Executive explained that, in line with the Oxford Street / East Bank SAA, it was proposed that a detailed strategy be procured and undertaken for the area including Sirocco, Queens Quay and the Shatter Zone, to be referred to collectively as the East Bank.  It was estimated that up to £60,000 of the City Centre budget be allocated to this specialist work in line with the agreed approach for delivery of the Investment Plan.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the proposed way forward for the East Bank area;

2.     agreed that a detailed and integrated approach be undertaken for the area and that specialist advice be procured in line with the appended draft Terms of Reference; and

3.     that a specific reference to local community engagement be included.

            The Chief Executive outlined that the City Growth and Regeneration Committee received around £7m of external income per year which included grant income, rent of Council property and fees and charges. The Committee was advised that, on occasion, a number of debtors who received services failed to pay.  She advised the Members that this was despite the Central Transactions Unit (CTU) having implemented the Council’s procedures for recovering outstanding debt. 

            The Committee was advised that debt had been caused by a company entering administration and being dissolved, with the company in question ceasing to exist from 21st September, 2012.  The management of this particular debt had been through a long and protracted Legal process which had now been exhausted, where the advice from the Legal Services section was that there was no legal avenue left for the Council to successfully pursue the debt that did not expose the Council to unacceptable risk of incurring yet more unrecoverable costs.  The Members were advised that the bad debt totalled £17,573.14. 

            The Committee agreed to authorise that the outstanding accounts, totalling £17,573.14, be written off in accordance with Section M12 of the Council’s Financial Regulations.