Agenda and minutes

Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Chairperson, Councillor Graham, and Councillor Walsh.

            The minutes of the meeting of 14th September were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd October.

No declarations of interest were reported.

            The Committee approved the following schedule of meetings for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee during 2017 and agreed that it would meet at 5.15 p.m. on those dates:

Wednesday, 11th January;

Wednesday, 8th February;

Wednesday, 8th March;

Wednesday, 12th April;

Wednesday, 10th May;

Wednesday, 14th June;

No meeting in July;

Wednesday, 9th August;

Wednesday, 13th September;

Wednesday, 11th October;

Wednesday, 8th November; and

Wednesday, 6th December.

            The Committee noted that it had agreed previously to hold regular strategic meetings in order to receive presentations from outside bodies and that those would be scheduled as and when required.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 3rd October, had considered the following Notice of Motion which had been moved by Councillor McVeigh and seconded by Councillor Long:

“This Council recognises the importance of high quality transport connections across these Islands and to this Island.  Good Connectivity facilitates and encourages trade and commerce.

The Council believes that a high speed rail connection between Belfast and Dublin, reducing traveling time to one hour each way, would help transform the Island economy to the specific benefit of both Belfast and Dublin and indeed the towns and cities that run along the eastern corridor between the two cities.  Such a connection would facilitate a daily commute between the two cities for employees and business persons.

Such a development would cost in excess of £2 Billion.  The Council believes that the European Juncker Fund, a multibillion Euro fund designed to finance major infrastructure projects throughout the EU, is ideally placed to assist with this ambitious project.

The Council will explore with others, particularly the Department for Infrastructure and Dublin City Council, the potential for a joint feasibility study to be carried out into this proposal, and to prepare a possible funding application to the Juncker Fund.”

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the Motion had been referred without discussion to the Committee.

            During discussion, a Member pointed out that a Seminar on ‘Delivering Major Rail Projects’ was taking place at Westminster on 29th November and that it might be useful for Members of the Committee to attend.

Accordingly, it was

Moved by Councillor Beattie,

Seconded by Councillor O’Hara,

      That the Committee approves the attendance of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson (or their nominees) of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, plus one officer, at the Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum Keynote Seminar entitled “Delivering major rail projects: priorities for electrification, High-Speed Rail and Crossrail” on 29th November, 2016.

            On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the proposal and eight against and it was declared carried. 

            After discussion, the Committee also agreed:

·        that other Members who wished to attend the Seminar could use their Personal Development Plan allowance to do so; and

·        that officers would submit a report to a future meeting on the proposal for a High Speed Rail Connection between Belfast and Dublin.

The Chief Executive reminded the Members that, in March 2015, the Council had agreed to contribute to the work of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) to enhance the Council’s ongoing analysis and monitoring of the city economy and would support the underpinning evidence base for the Belfast Agenda.

            The Members were advised that Professor Neil Gibson, Director at the UUEPC, was in attendance and he was admitted to the meeting.

            Professor Gibson provided the Committee with an economic update on a global, national and local scale.  He highlighted to the Members that, regardless of Northern Ireland being in or out of Europe, it did not determine the success of an economy and, despite uncertainty, business must continue as usual.

            Professor Gibson advised the Members that Protectionism attitudes were becoming more prominent globally and that this was to be expected in difficult economic climates.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding the reason why the UK economy was considerably more vulnerable to consumer trends in comparison with the Republic of Ireland, Professor Gibson explained that the UK did not export nearly enough, whereas the Republic of Ireland’s economy was externally focused with a huge volume of exports.

            He advised the Members that the NI labour market was improving with an eclectic mix of opportunities.  However, he pointed out that health, retail and public administration were the three biggest employment sectors in Belfast, and highlighted that these were all vulnerable to austerity, high inflation and low wage growth.

            The Members were advised that there was a very close correlation between the most deprived areas and the lowest educational attainment.  During discussion, Professor Gibson highlighted that there was a need for a societal change as school was not the optimum learning setting for all young people and that employers should play their part in offering training schemes or apprenticeships to gain skills and experience a working environment.

            Professor Gibson advised the Committee that certifying what success was for the city was critical to ensure that the mission statement led to headline targets which, in turn, led to implementation plans.

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

The Committee was advised that Mr. Paddy Gamble, Consulting Manager at the Javelin Group, was in attendance and he was admitted to the meeting.

            Mr. Gamble advised the Members that, given the Council’s focus on the delivery of the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy, Javelin had been requested to provide advice in relation to the ongoing challenges for Belfast and the retail sector.  He advised the Committee that this was a continuation of the Belfast Retail Positioning Study which had been produced by the Javelin Group in June 2015.

            He provided the Committee with an overview of current shopping patterns within Belfast city centre and the city region, the impact of the changing retail landscape, future shopping patterns, potential development scenarios and retailer gap analysis which highlighted potential improvements for retail within the city centre.

            The Committee was advised that Belfast currently ranked 16th in the VENUESCORE ranking of city centres across the UK.  He advised the Members that research had shown that Belfast should focus on attracting more aspirational retailers, such as John Lewis Partnership or an equivalent, into the City Centre to address the under provision of that market and that this would act as a catalyst in attracting a number of other retailers.

            During discussion, a Member asked the Chief Executive for an update on the BMAP legal case, to which she advised that a remedies hearing was the next stage and that a date was yet to be set.

            The Committee thanked Mr. Gamble for his presentation and he retired from the meeting.

            A Member requested that additional information would be gathered on the impact of Republic of Ireland consumers shopping in Northern Ireland and on the future of the high street.

            The Committee noted:

1.     the findings of the report, particularly the ongoing challenges faced by the city centre and the need to continue to work to support city centre retail; and

2.     that, within the context of the retail offering that Belfast provided, a report would be submitted to a future meeting to include analysis on:

a)     the numbers of consumers travelling from the Republic of Ireland to shop in Northern Ireland; and

b)     the future of the high street, particularly with the increase in online retail.

            The Committee was advised that requests to present to the Committee had been received from both Transport NI and NI Water.  The Members were reminded that TransportNI (formerly known as DRD Roads Service) had historically made twice yearly presentations to Special meetings of the former Town Planning Committee and it was now considered that it should instead present to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee biannually.  The Members were advised that NI Water had also undertaken a commitment to present to the Council annually and was also seeking a suitable date to provide the Committee with a short briefing on its investment priorities and activities within Belfast. 

            The Chief Executive reminded the Committee that it had agreed, at its meeting on 11th November 2015, to hold regular strategic meetings in order to receive presentations from outside bodies.

            At the request of a Member, it was also agreed that the Department for Infrastructure should also be invited to attend.

            The Committee agreed to hold a Special ‘City Infrastructure’ meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, to which all Members of Council would be invited to attend, with Transport NI, the Department for Infrastructure and NI Water invited to present.

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

            The Director of City Centre Development provided the Committee with an update on the Council’s formal partnership with McAleer & Rushe in relation to the completed acquisition of the Belfast Telegraph building on Royal Avenue and advised the Members that the Council had now committed to an equity share via a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) with McAleer & Rushe, whereby the Council had a 46% stake.

            The Chief Executive advised the Committee that the Partnership would be developing proposals for the site in line with meeting the aspirations of the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Fund, including a potential location for the new BBC NI Headquarters.  The Committee was advised of the next steps and was reminded that, in line with previous Committee approval, the Council had retained the ability to exit the partnership arrangement prior to development commencing.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding the proposed £100,000 being allocated towards the masterplanning work to shape and facilitate emerging developments in the wider area, the Director of City Centre Development clarified that, while in-house skills would be used where possible, it was necessary to engage external expertise as a detailed plan would be needed in order to give additional weight to the area in advance of the Local Development Plan, particularly in relation to drawing up Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) or an outline consent, which would provide guidance to the public, applicants and developers when making planning applications for the area.  She clarified to the Committee that SPG or an outline consent would ensure that the Council’s vision and aspirations for the area being a mixed use site were met.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted that the Council had entered into a Limited Liability Partnership with McAleer & Rushe and had jointly acquired the Belfast Telegraph Building using the City Centre Investment Fund.

2.     noted that, as part of ongoing workstreams, the Partnership would be developing proposals for the site in line with meeting the aspirations of the City Centre Regeneration & Investment Fund with a view to developing options for the site including a potential location for new BBC NI HQ; and

3.     agreed that up to £100,000 be allocated from the existing budget for a package of wider masterplanning work to shape and facilitate emerging developments in the wider area to the North of the city centre.

            The Director of City and Neighbourhood Services reminded the Committee that it had considered a report at its meeting on 8th June, 2016, whereby it had requested that officers would submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee setting out the longer term options for the Zoo, with the view to a decision being made to develop the preferred options for further discussion.  He pointed out to the Members that V4 had been appointed in September to work with officers to develop the range of options to deliver the long term operational objectives of the Zoo.  From the outset, the Committee agreed to reject any suggestion of closure and disposal of the Belfast Zoo.

            The Director outlined that a Stakeholder Workshop had been suggested to enable Members to develop a range of criteria to be applied to each of the operating options.  A number of Members felt that, rather than making a decision on the operating model, they would prefer to decide what the Zoo would contain, or focus on, initially.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that a report on the broad options for different types of zoo would be made available for Members consideration at the Stakeholder Workshop, to which all Members of Council would be invited to attend.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1        The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress against the key actions contained in the City Growth & Regeneration Committee Plan, as agreed by Committee in October 2015. This will provide Committee with a baseline on which to discuss and agree priority action areas at the upcoming Committee Planning workshop.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the progress to date against the agreed actions within the Committee Plan and

·        Agree that Officers continue to progress, subject to further consideration at the Committee Planning workshop.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       The 2015 plan was developed in line with the Council’s existing Corporate Plan and the emerging Belfast Agenda, the community plan for Belfast. The Belfast Agenda has at its core a commitment to inclusive growth and the importance of growing the local economy to improve the quality of life. The Agenda has four main pillars, which summarise the city priorities (see below). The pillars for ‘Business and the Economy’ (Growing the Economy) and ‘City Development’ are the focus of this Committee. Thus the Committee continues to take the lead in ensuring that the narrative of the agenda balances the need for economic growth with the purpose of this growth – to connect people to opportunity and reduce inequality.

3.2       The 2015 plan and ongoing work also aligns with and complements the works of our key partners. In this way we expect to achieve the greatest impact in terms of jobs and opportunities for the people of Belfast. Key documents include the Programme for Government and particularly priority ‘1: growing a sustainable economy and investing in the future’ and priority ‘2: creating opportunities, tackling disadvantage and investing in the future’; and the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy and associated Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland.

3.3       Last month Members noted some of the additional projects and programmes that have developed from the work of the Committee over the last year, in line with the Belfast Agenda.  In particular, under the Growing the Economy theme, initiatives such as a clear city proposition, a concierge service for investors, a city Economic Forum, and the recently agreed wider 10-year Employability and Skills Framework. The upcoming Committee Planning workshop will provide an opportunity to test and shape the emerging thinking on these issues in the context of the economic briefing provided by Professor Neil Gibson (at this Committee meeting), emerging priorities within the Belfast Agenda, and the progress with the current Committee Plan.  The workshop will then shape the ongoing work and agenda of the Committee, the new Corporate Plan and the budget setting process for 2017/18.  The date for this workshop is still to be confirmed but is likely to be in early November.

3.4       The City Growth and Regeneration Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, policies, programmes and projects directed towards regeneration and growth of the city in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Director of Development provided the Committee with an update on the development of the International Relations Framework for the period 2016-2020.  He reminded the Members that the aim of the Framework was to promote Belfast on the international stage as a place to visit, study, invest and do business. 

            The Committee was advised that, since 2012, the Council had engaged in a number of strategic international partnerships, namely with Boston, Nashville and Shenyang, along with increasing collaboration with Dublin and London.  Those engagements had involved not only the Council but also its partner organisations, thereby ensuring that the relationships were multi-dimensional.

            The Director explained to the Committee that, with Regeneration powers expected to transfer to Councils in the coming years and with a significant endorsement of the commitment to ‘Growing the Belfast Economy’ as articulated in the Belfast Agenda, the Council was increasing its ambition around positioning the city to attract international investment from developers, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and institutional investment.  He highlighted that the Council was also supportive of work being undertaken by partner organisations to increase the number of international students in the city, grow tourism investment, support more FDI and help local businesses to become more active in international export markets. 

            He reminded the Members that PA Consulting had been appointed to work on the Framework and that it had engaged with a range of key internal and external partners to identify the appropriate focus, structure and priorities in moving forward.  The Committee was advised that the emerging principles and areas of focus identified to date had included:

·        clarifying the role of the council;

·        positioning the city – importance of the collective message;

·        strengthening our relationships with key partners and locations;

·        objectively assessing new opportunities;

·        promoting trade and investment opportunities as a key area of focus;

·        attracting visitors and creating positive perceptions of the city; and

·        ensuring transparency and communicating success

            In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Development confirmed to the Committee that they would engage with all relevant tourism and other partners as part of the development and implementation of the Framework. 

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.               noted the contents of the report;

2.               agreed that a workshop would be held, to which all members of Council would be invited, to discuss the emerging priorities of the International Relations Framework, noting that this would allow the draft final report to be presented to the November meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee for consideration; and

3.               agreed that a report on Professor Gibson’s presentation on ‘Growing the Belfast Economy’ would be made available to the Members for the Workshop.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issue

1.1       The purpose of the report is to update Members on a request for sponsorship for the 2017 Northern Ireland Science Festival based on the success of the 2016 event.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the contents of this report and

·        Agree to sponsorship of £35,000 from existing budgets for the Northern Ireland Science Festival 2017.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Northern Ireland Science Festival has been taking place annually since 2015.  The 2016 event took place over 11 days in February and March 2016.  It offered 134 events across a wide range of venues, presenting local and international work that focused on a wide range of themes including science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  The daytime programme targeted children and young people with workshops, talks and interactive activities while in the evening the Festival presented an eclectic mix of science debates, talks, theatre, comedy and music.

3.2       The event was organised by Science Festivals NI, a unique collaboration of major STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) outreach organisations in Northern Ireland.  Belfast’s exceptional higher level skills talent pool is the primary reason why investors choose the city. Events such as the NI Science Festival help grow collaborations between such organisations and individuals, showcasing Belfast in a positive light.  Funding for the event was provided by a number of organisations including the then Department for Employment and Learning, the British Council, Queen’s University and the Ulster University and Belfast City Council.

3.3       Science Festivals are a relatively new type of event that are growing in popularity worldwide, with cities such as New York, Edinburgh, San Francisco and Dubai hosting large scale events as part of their wider cultural frameworks.  In 2015, the inaugural NI Science Festival joined this international group by becoming the largest festival of its kind on the island of Ireland and one of the largest in Europe.  Since the first Festival in 2015, the event has continued to go from strength to strength.

3.4       Both the 2015 and 2016 Festivals were considered to be major successes, exceeding agreed targets and competing with other established science festivals.  This included:

-       Audience numbers of 60,000 significantly exceeded the 2016 target of 50,000 set out in the funding agreement

-       Young people formed the majority of the audience (57%).  The increased number of evening events for adults, teachers and parents resulted in a total audience share of 43%, up from 34% in 2015

-       132 events took place across a range of venues, with approximately 90% of activities taking place in Belfast

-       92% of attendees indicated that they would visit the Festival again, with 68% of survey respondents indicating that they were more likely to pursue or encourage others to pursue an career in STEM following the Festival

-       The Festival acted as a catalyst for two significant conferences to come to Belfast.  The Institute for Physics hosted their Spring Conference  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1        The purpose of the report is to:

-       Update members on the Employability & Skills Framework and progress to date on the implementation on the associated year one Action Plan.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note the final version of the Employability and Skills Framework and progress to date.

-       Approve the proposed approach of engaging through Party Group Leaders to agree the pilot areas for Employability Outreach Pilots.

3.0       Main report

3.1       At the 24 June meeting of Strategic Policy & Resources Committee Members approved the final version of the Employability & Skills Framework and associated year one Action Plan.   This Framework underpins all of the priorities identified under the Belfast Agenda. These are Business and the Economy, Living Here, Working and Learning and City Development. Achievement of the Employability and Skills Framework objectives will have a positive correlation on growing the city economy by influencing our ability to:

-       Attract more investment into Belfast;

-       Foster more business growth in Belfast;

-       Strengthen business relationships;

-       Make Belfast easy to do business with;

-       Maximise impact of city region; and

-       Reduce poverty and economic inequality.

3.2       The Framework was developed to understand the specifics of the employability and skills challenges in Belfast and to identify how a collaborative, outcomes-based, long-term approach could bring about a step change in employment rates and skills levels.    It identified four key aims:

-       Aim 1: To increase access to employment by supporting the development of lower and entry level skills and by addressing barriers preventing access to jobs;

-       Aim 2: To generate higher level skills which meet the demands of employers and investors;

-       Aim 3: To facilitate career progression routes across all skill levels; and

-       Aim 4: To develop a culture of entrepreneurship at all levels.

            The employability and skills issues facing the city are multi-faceted and complex.  Economic inactivity is one of the most significant impediments to the city. Despite significant investments to tackle this issue, evidence would suggest the scale of challenge has not been effectively addressed.  This highlights the need to do things differently through a long term strategic and collaborative approach tackling issues such as skills gaps, family cultures, health problems, mobility, access to childcare and changes to welfare benefits etc.

3.3       Aligned to the principles of the Belfast Agenda, the Employability and Skills Framework contains the following overarching principles:

-       Citywide approach;

-       Long-term approach;

-       Outcome and needs-based;

-       Aspirational and Ambitious; and

-       Inclusive Growth.

3.4       At the 24 June meeting of SP&R members approved the Framework's year 1 Action Plan. Whilst delivery of this plan is ongoing key areas of progress are outlined below.

            1. Hospitality Pilot Project (Addressing Aim 1) - the hospitality sector has been recognised as one of the growing sectors within the city, attributed in part to key investments such as the Belfast Waterfront, new hotel developments etc.  In response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

            “1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1        The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update concerning advancement of three projects. They are:

·        A Regional Business Start Initiative, named locally as the Go for It Programme;

·        A Belfast-specific programme for higher growth potential start-up businesses;

·        A Belfast-specific business growth programme for established businesses to increase their competitiveness and growth.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note progress in advancing a Regional Business Start Programme (Go for It), a Belfast specific programme for higher-growth potential start-up businesses and a Belfast specific business growth programme for established businesses;

-       Note the funding status of each of the above programmes under European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014 – 2023 and Invest NI; and

-       Note the proposals for business start provision from the end of the existing contract (22 October 2016) until the start of the new regional programme, expected to be 1 April 2017. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       The purpose of the Programme for Government Outcomes Framework is to improve wellbeing for all by tackling disadvantage and driving economic growth. It contains outcomes which are reflective of the Council’s ambition for Growing the Economy, set out in the Belfast Agenda.  Such outcomes include our ambition to be an innovative, creative society where people can fulfil their potential and that we have more people working in better jobs.

3.2       In April 2015, Councils assumed statutory responsibility for a range of business start and entrepreneurship support activities.

3.3       Since the transfer of functions, officers have been exploring opportunities for securing external resources to support the ambitions set out in the Belfast Agenda for ‘Growing the Economy’ and re-focusing our own resources in order to meet the needs of our local businesses.  This has included:

·        Simplifying our messaging about the type of support that is available at each stage of the business lifecycle (Starting your Business; Growing your Business and Investing in Belfast)

·        Working with partners to ensure that there are no major gaps in provision of support to our target businesses

·        Improving signposting for businesses to ensure that they get the help they need when they need it

·        Looking at how we can better package the support that we provide to businesses across the wide range of Council services (including Building Control, Waste Management, Street Cleansing, City Centre Development etc)

·        Exploring potential incentives to encourage additional business start (including financial incentives and packaging business accommodation and business support services)

·        Exploring opportunities for greater alignment between the Council’s investment in business growth initiatives and its support for employability and skills issues – ensuring that local companies have access to the skills and talent that they need to grow their business and improve their competitiveness.

3.4       Work is currently underway to agree with partners the priority actions to move forward on the Belfast Agenda’s ‘Growing the Economy’ theme.  Given that the Council has statutory responsibility in this field, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8b

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

1.0            Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update Members on progress on the Innovation Factory (IF) Project which plays a key role in growing the city economy – the Council’s flagship new development to support new business starts and to encourage existing companies to grow and become more productive.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note:

-       how this project encompasses the Council’s aspiration for Growing the Economy under the Belfast Agenda;

-       the work undertaken to mobilise the centre towards opening to the public on 29 September; and

-       how community benefit and good relations has been incorporated into the operation of the centre as a model of best practice.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Innovation Factory is located at Forthriver Business Park and offers ‘Grade A’ standard business accommodation in the form of a 55,000 sq. ft. building comprising 32,240 sq. ft. lettable space and 5,133 sq. ft. innovation space. It is the first development on the wider 14 acre business park which was previously the site of James Mackie and Sons Engineering Works.

3.2       The Innovation Factory project characterises a local economy, community, place and situation which the Council hopes can be achieved on a city-wide scale. By this we mean:

-       A socially responsible centre where contract and management arrangements act as a catalyst for the local economy in terms of wealth generation, jobs, skills and employability, contributing to inclusive economic growth and the Council’s anti-poverty agenda;

-       A mix of ingredients for businesses to start, grow and innovate: infrastructure (telecoms and data storage), support, quality design of accommodation, access to other markets; 

-       Capital investment leads to increased civic pride, shared space & good relations, enhanced public realm, access to quality services and improved living environments;

-       Access to finance; and

-       Collaboration and innovation leading to a longer-term sustainable economy.

3.3       The centre will be a significant contributor to the Council’s job creation target of 50,000 jobs and 5,000 new businesses supported.  The current draft of the Belfast Agenda sets out these targets for the next 20 years. These targets are still work in progress but the Innovation Factory will accommodate 382 workstations across 111 business units. It will support at least 145 jobs in the operation of the centre by December 2018 and 187 by December 2020. It will provide support annually to over 100 businesses and create 5 collaborative networks. It will promote and encourage social and economic regeneration, encourage local and foreign direct investment and act as a catalyst for further development of Forthriver Business Park.

3.4       Belfast City Council accepted hand over of the centre from the contractor Heron Bros Ltd on 18th April 2016 ahead of the scheduled capital completion date of 6th May 2016.  The project was also completed in budget. 

3.5       In parallel with the construction contract, the centre operators – Oxford Innovation Limited – were appointed via a competitive dialogue procurement process. The Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8c

            The Director of Development advised the Committee that the Council’s Belfast Enterprise Academy (BEA), a student entrepreneurship programme, had been highly commended in the Building Enterprise category of the Enterprising Britain Awards 2016.

            He informed the Members of the current and planned initiatives which were aimed at supporting entrepreneurship across the city, as part of the wider Belfast Agenda which had set an ambition to grow the number and quality of new business starts.  The Committee was advised that the BEA was the primary support intervention to stimulate student entrepreneurship levels and had successfully delivered over the past seven years, working in partnership with Queen’s University, Ulster University and Belfast Metropolitan College.

            He pointed out to the Committee that, currently, start-up rates in Belfast were significantly below the regional and UK average but that Council activity in the field had increased over the past two years, in line with the transfer of economic development functions from DETI/Invest NI to the Councils in April 2015.  He explained that the Council delivered support to businesses across a range of stages of development, including Starting Your Business, Growing Your Business and Investing in Belfast.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the various strands of work being delivered to support enterprise and entrepreneurship across the city;

2.     noted that the Belfast Enterprise Academy had been highly commended in the Building Enterprise category of the Enterprising Britain Awards 2016;

3.     agreed the attendance of the Chairperson of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee (or nominee) and one officer at the awards ceremony which would take place in London in late October (date to be confirmed).

            The Director of City and Neighbourhood Services reminded the Committee that, in the period leading up to Christmas 2015, the Council had suspended charging in its off street car parks all day Saturday and after 6.00 pm on week days, in an effort to encourage visitors into the city centre. He pointed out that the Council’s car parking spaces accounted for only a small proportion of the overall spaces in the City. 

            He advised the Members that Translink and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) had contacted the Council to raise concerns that offering free car parking in the lead up to Christmas in 2015 had had a significantly detrimental impact on the reliability and punctuality of their services and, subsequently, on traffic flow and congestion within the city.  They stated that they believed that the offer of free parking in the 1500 spaces within Council-owned car parks had resulted in cars queuing for the limited spaces available or circling the city centre looking for a free space. 

            In its correspondence, Translink had advised the Members that the costs to its business in terms of the extra resources required was estimated at £250,000, in addition to the lost fare box revenue as a result of fewer passengers on services in 2015 in comparison to 2014.

            The Director advised the Committee that Translink and the DfI had suggested incentivising public transport as an alternative to free car parking in order to prevent congestion and make it easier for all consumers, including car users, to use the city centre in the lead up to Christmas in 2016.

            During discussion, a Member welcomed the suggestion from Translink and DfI, and highlighted that evidence suggested cities with freer flowing traffic and a greater reliance on sustainable public transport were more successful and attractive cities.

            A number of Members expressed concerns at the proposal not to offer free parking in the small number of Council owned car parks in Belfast.  A Member explained that some people who lived outside of Belfast were apprehensive about coming into the City to shop, particularly with the new bus lanes, and that using public transport was not always practical, especially when purchasing larger items.  A further Member added that towns outside of Belfast often advertised their free parking and lack of traffic in a bid to encourage consumers out of Belfast and that the Council should be cautious in appearing to be ‘anti-car’.

            At the request of a Member, the Committee agreed to an early review of the current arrangements for those car parks that DRD had transferred to Belfast City Council in 2014 (and any others) to involve synchronising their operations; rationalising opening days and hours; re-assessing the hourly and maximum charge rates; reviewing the monthly and quarterly season ticket charges; and modernising their names, livery and look.

After discussion, the Committee agreed also that:

·        the Council would work in collaboration with Translink and the Department for Infrastructure to support the attractive Christmas transport proposals which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9a

            The Director of Development advised the Members that the annual Routes Europe Conference would be taking place in the Belfast Waterfront from 23rd - 25th April 2017, and highlighted that this was a prestigious business tourism event for the city.  He informed the Committee that it was the largest regional gathering for all aviation based companies operating in Europe, which brought together decision makers from airlines, airports and tourism authorities to negotiate and build relationships to shape the world’s future air route networks.  He emphasised to the Committee that the Conference was particularly attractive in terms of its economic impact on the host city, particularly in relation to new air routes.

            He advised the Members that the event would attract around 1,000 delegates representing more than 100 global airlines, airports and tourism promotion agencies, which would generate an estimated delegate spend of £1.3 million.  The Committee was also advised that, as well as providing an excellent opportunity for the promotion of the city as a destination, focussing on the key messaging identified within the emerging city narrative, it also provided an opportunity to change perceptions about our airports and flight networks.

            The Director advised the Committee that the newly extended Belfast Waterfront had generated an estimated economic impact of £4.68 million from conferences and events since it opened in April 2016, with 2017/18 anticipated to generate an economic return to the city of £19 million.

            The Committee noted that the Conference provided the Belfast Waterfront with an opportunity to showcase the newly extended conference centre to a wide range of European Corporations, many of which hosted conferences in their own right, as well as firmly positioning the Belfast Waterfront as a world class conference centre.  The Director advised the Committee that a funding package was required from the various partners involved, with the Council requested to provide £100,000.  He outlined that Invest NI had agreed to provide approximately £300,000, in addition £20,000 from Tourism Ireland, £165,000 from Tourism NI, £20,000 from Visit Belfast, £10,000 from the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd., with the two airports approximately £100,000 each.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the upcoming Routes Europe conference which would take place in Belfast for the first time in April 2017; and

2.     agreed that the £100,000 planned subvention to support the event in the city was now confirmed. This amount was planned for given the importance of this particular conference to the Belfast economy and was in the Department’s budget.