Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the High Sheriff (Alderman Haire) and Alderman L. Patterson.

            The minutes of the meeting of 8th February 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 March.

            Councillor O’Hara declared an interest in the Rural Development Programme, in that she was a Council nominee on the Local Action Group for Hannahstown, which drew down funding for the regeneration projects.  Councillor O’Hara left the room for the duration of the Item.

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. A. Webb, Chair of Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM), and Mrs. G. Duggan, City Centre Manager, to the meeting.

            The City Centre Manager outlined to the Members that BCCM was a not-for-profit organisation and that businesses did not pay for the services which they received from it.  She advised the Committee that BCCM was an enabler and a facilitator for all businesses which operated in the city centre.  She reported that, through its funding from Belfast City Council, it had been able to fund important projects such as a vacant units audit, Healthy High Streets, the development of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), a Retail Steering Group, crime reduction initiatives and city dressing projects.

            The Committee was advised that, in 2016/2017, for every £1 of core funding received from Belfast City Council, BCCM had levered a further £8.70.

            The Chair of BCCM outlined the draft Business Plan for 2017/2018 and assured the Committee that it would seek to continue to deliver core projects which would have a real impact on, and create value for, the city centre.  He advised the Members that, for the upcoming year, for every £1 of funding received from Belfast City Council, BCCM would lever a further £10.70.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the review of BCCM which was currently underway;

2.     agreed to provide up to £190,000 to BCCM, with the potential to reassess on the outcome of the review; and

3.     noted the draft BCCM business plan and the areas where BCC funds would be applied and that the overall funding agreement with BCCM was included in the revenue estimates.

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

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. G. Lennon, Chief Executive, and Mr. H. Hastings OBE, Chair, of Visit Belfast, to the meeting.

            The Chair of Visit Belfast reported that Visit Belfast was the principal Destination Management and marketing organisation for the city of Belfast. He advised the Committee that tourism was key to the city and to the Belfast Agenda.  He pointed out that Visit Belfast was a successful public/private partnership whereby the funding from the public sector had decreased steadily as private sector investment had increased.  He highlighted that the partnership business model was one which was envied by other cities.

            He advised the Committee that Visit Belfast had dealt with 800,000 enquiries over the past year, which was up 33% over the past two years.  He reported that Visit Belfast had made a 54:1 return for every £1 which was invested.

            The Chief Executive of Visit Belfast advised the Committee that image and access were the original issues which faced the tourism sector in Belfast, but that this was no longer the case.  He reported that, through two of the key priorities of the Belfast Agenda, City Development and Growing the Economy, it would seek to strike a balance between targeting business and social tourists.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding the fact that tourism was a significant driver for the economy and how schools were responding to that, the Chair of Visit Belfast advised that 15% of the new jobs in the city over the next decade would be in hospitality and that it was important to get that message out to schools and colleges.  The Chief Executive also added that the Belfast Works programme and the new Skills Academy for hospitality would seek to address the significant surge in the hospitality sector.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     approved the creation of a new Sharing Agreement between Belfast City Council, Translink and Visit Belfast for a three year period, with an annual value of £125,000 for agreed marketing and promotion of visitor products, subject to agreement by the Council and Tourism NI;

2.     agreed to provide up to £1,827,465 to Visit Belfast, subject to a funding agreement being drawn up between the parties; and

3.     noted the draft Visit Belfast business plan and the areas where Council funds would be applied, nothing that the overall funding agreement with Visit Belfast was included in the revenue estimates.

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

            The Director of Development provided the Committee with an update on the exploratory work which had taken place on the Council-agreed proposal for a joint bid for the 2023 European Capital of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC).

            He reminded the Members that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that the budget for the Phase 1 bid would be split equally between Belfast City Council and DCSDC.

            He outlined to the Committee that, as to whether a special company should be established, lessons learned from previous bids would be considered and that this would be a Council decision. The Members were advised that that could be discussed in more detail at a Members workshop, along with the issue of costs.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     agreed to hold a workshop, to which all Members would be invited, to outline the benefits of hosting the Capital of Culture. The workshop would be facilitated by representatives from Liverpool City Council;

2.     noted the potential benefits of BCC and DCSDC hosting the 2023 European Capital of Culture;

3.     noted the proposal to create a dedicated bid team to work on the development phase of the bid; and

4.     noted that further update reports would be submitted to the Committee throughout the next number of months.

            The Director of City Centre Development provided the Members with an overview of demand, supply, rents and investment in Belfast’s Office Market and highlighted the role which the City Centre Investment Fund could provide in supporting further development of Grade A office space within the City Centre.

            She outlined to the Committee that demand for Grade A offices was being driven by the strong growth in the Belfast jobs market, and a need for new space being generated by firms looking to upgrade or increase the size of their current occupation in Belfast. The Members were also advised that the Belfast Agenda predicted that 50,000 new jobs would be created by 2035.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the contents of the report, which provided further evidential support for the orientation of the City Centre Investment Fund to support the development of the Grade A office market, as approved by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 17th February; and

2.     noted that additional expertise was being commissioned in relation to the CCIF evaluation process, and that the process would be presented to the Committee in due course, setting out in detail how proposals which the Council might wish to support would be properly evaluated on a value for money basis.

            The Director of Development reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 12th October 2016, it had agreed to commit £100,000 to support the costs of hosting the Routes Europe event at the Belfast Waterfront from 23rd-25th April, 2017.  He reported that Routes Europe had indicated that the benefits to the host city, in terms of positive PR coverage, potential new airline route announcements and additional leisure/business tourism visitors, could be in the region of more than £50million.

            The Director provided the Committee with an update on the programme for the Conference, as well as a number of welcome and lead-in events for delegates.  He outlined to the Members that, while the main Conference and showcase would take place in the Belfast Waterfront, a welcome reception would be held in the City Hall and a gala networking event would take place in Titanic Belfast.  He explained that the Council had been granted 10 delegate passes which could be used for the full duration of the Conference or could be shared between individuals for specific days or events during the week.  He explained to the Committee that, at this stage, the priority events for which the Members needed to register were the City Hall Welcome reception and the Titanic Belfast evening. The Committee was advised that once further details were received in relation to the actual Conference programme, they would be circulated to the Members and, at that point, they could confirm which other elements of the programme that they wished to attend.

            He advised the Committee that the Conference organisers and the local team had been working together on a programme of supporting events across the city and that the ‘Team Belfast’ approach had ensured joined up working between all key partners.

            The Committee:

1.     noted the update on the Routes Europe Conference which would take place in Belfast for the first time on 23-25 April, 2017;

2.     agreed that one Member from each party, in addition to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, or their nominees, would attend the City Hall welcome reception on 23rd April 2017 and the Titanic Belfast reception on 24th April 2017, with party nominations to be provided to the Strategic Programme Manager in the Development Department; and

3.     noted that a report would be submitted to the Committee in April, providing a more detailed programme outline.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1        The purpose of the report is to update Members on the delivery and actions of the International Relations Framework for the period 2016-2017, and to seek approval for the 2017/18 Action Plan.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note the range of activities and actions outlined in Appendix 1 for delivery of the Council’s International Relations Framework for the period 2016-17.

-       Agree to support the attendance of the Lord Mayor and an Officer at the 2017 St Patrick’s White House Celebration from 14-17 March 2017 at a maximum cost of £3,000.

-       Agree to the attendance of the Lord Mayor, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, or their nominees along with the Director of Development and the International Relations Manager on the China outward mission from 6-13 May 2017. This visit will not exceed £20,000.

-       Agree to the attendance of the Lord Mayor, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee or nominees and an Officer on the Nashville outward mission from 17-22 May 2017. The cost of this visit will not exceed £10,000.

-       Agree to Members participation in the programme for the Boston inward delegation on 5-7 June 2017.

-       Agree to provide £5,000 towards the New York New Belfast Conference from 8-9 June 2017 and the attendance of the Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee or their nominee along with an officer. The cost of attendance will not exceed £3,000.

-       Agree to provide £5,000 towards the Belfast International Homecoming Conference form 4-6 October 2017 and to Members’ participation in this event.

-       Agree in principle to further international activity later in the year, as outlined in Appendix 1 as 2017-18 International Relations Action Plan, pending further details and costs.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will recall the November 2016 approval of a new International Relations Framework for Council for the period 2016-2021.

3.2       The aim of this second Framework is to continue to promote Belfast on the international stage with other stakeholders as a place to visit, study, work and do business. The Framework will deliver primarily on the formal relationships already in existence through the Sister City Agreements with Shenyang, Boston and Nashville, the Memorandum of Understanding with Dublin, and developing relationships with London. New areas of opportunity will be considered on their merits and relevance to Belfast.

3.3       Members will be aware of the increasing activity delivered around the International Relations Framework during the last year. The highlights of these and the outcomes generated from our international linkages are outlined in Appendix 1 of this report by geographical area. These activities have, in the most part, been led by Belfast City Council at Councillor and Officer level and in full partnership with stakeholders in government, education, tourism, business, culture and sport. Members are asked to note this delivery and the progress made in these areas.

3.4  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

            (Mrs C. McKeown, Sustainable Development Manager, attended in connection with this Item)

            The Chief Executive explained that Belfast City Council had been invited to participate in the fully-funded European Union World Cities project for 2017 and had been selected to partner with Durban, South Africa, and three other EU cities namely, Birmingham, Bilbao and Gratz.

            The Committee was advised that the project supported the exchange of information, experience and best practice on sustainability issues such as developing the green economy, energy security, mobility, circular economy and smart city solutions, innovation and new business starts.  She reminded the Members that those topics were also at the heart of the Belfast Agenda, the Local Development Plan and the City Centre Regeneration plan.

            The Committee was advised that the project was piloted in 2016 when Dublin, Lazio and West Midland regions were twinned with cities in China and India, and the evaluation of the project had shown very successful outcomes.

            The Sustainable Development Manager explained to the Members that Belfast had been pre-selected by the World Cities project and had been invited to submit an application in February, 2017.  She reported that there had been significant interest in the project from the Council’s partners in the Department for the Economy, Invest NI, the NI Digital Catapult INNOVATE UK, both Universities, the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) and the NI Office in Brussels.

            The Committee was advised that, this year, the World Cities project offered EU cities an opportunity to develop partnerships with either South Korea, South Africa, Indonesia, Australia or Vietnam and, in order to be successful, the participating EU city would have to have established and demonstrable links to the non-EU country with which it was paired. 

            A Member expressed concern that an opportunity had perhaps been missed in not having been paired with Australia, given the number of people who had left Northern Ireland to live in Australia over the last number of years. 

            In response, the Sustainable Development Manager advised the Committee that the EU World Cities organisers made the decision as to which cities were paired.  She outlined to the Members that Belfast had long established links with South Africa, with Universities in both cities uniquely recognised as international centres for the study of conflict resolution and, more recently, the cities of Belfast, Durban and Cape Town were now linked together through engagement in the global Rockefeller 100 Resilient Cities programme.

            The Members were advised that both Belfast and Durban faced similar economic, social and cultural challenges.  The Sustainable Development Manager explained that Invest NI also planned to open its first permanent office in Johannesburg in late 2017 and that, during the time of the proposed study visit in March, 2017, Invest NI would host an outward mission to South Africa with Northern Ireland companies involved in the mining industry.  The Members were also advised that trade with South Africa was in the region of £35million per annum and that it was increasing. 

            In response to a further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Director of Development reminded the Committee that it had previously noted the work which was underway to develop a booklet on Belfast’s economy, its growth sectors, accolades and the opportunities which the city presented to potential investors.

            He advised the Members that the Belfast Agenda had set a challenging ambition for the city to be home to an additional 70,000 new residents and an economy that supported 50,000 more jobs by 2035. The Committee was advised also that the development of a concise, infographic-style publication outlining the key facts and figures on Belfast would help ensure that Members and officers had instant access to consistent, succinct, up-to-date and compelling information when engaging with potential stakeholders about the city, to enhance Belfast’s image and reputation as a successful and dynamic city and as a place to invest, study and visit. 

            The Committee noted the draft Belfast Facts and Figures publication which was tabled and agreed to provide any feedback to officers.

            (Councillor O’Hara declared an interest in this Item and left the room for the duration of the discussion).

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1        The purpose of the report is to seek Members’ approval for the submission of a bid under the ‘Village Renewal’ theme of the Rural Development Programme for the development of renewal schemes in Hannahstown and Edenderry following the completion of the villages plans and to recommend that the capital match funding element which is required to support the submission is referred to the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee for consideration.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        authorise the submission of a bid under the Village Renewal theme of the Rural Development Programme for village renewal schemes in  Hannahstown and Edenderry

·        note that, in order to secure the maximum allocation of £150,000 for the schemes, match funding of £70,000 from the Council is required.  As this money is capital this needs to be considered by the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee as the Council’s investment decision maker and Members are asked to agree that this scheme is referred to the SP&R Committee for its consideration

·        approve £7,500 for the current financial year and £7,500 in the coming financial year to support programme overheads to be met from within existing Departmental budgets

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will recall that at its meeting on the 13 January 2016 the City & Growth Committee agreed to enter into an SLA with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to support the development and delivery of activities within the eligible area for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (NIRDP).

3.2       At this time Members also agreed to provide development costs of £10,000 towards the production of village plans for the Hannahstown and Edenderry village areas. These completed plans are a pre-requisite for drawing down NIRDP funding under the Village Renewal Theme. This is one of five priority areas under the programme. Given the limited eligible area within the Belfast City Council boundary, the Village Renewal Theme is one of the key opportunities for attracting NIRDP funding and the only two eligible village areas are Hannahstown and Edenderry.

3.3       At the 13 January 2016 meeting, Members were advised that, once the village plans were developed, information would be brought back to the Council to indicate the level of match funding required to support delivery.

3.4       The completed plans set out a series of potential improvement works, aimed at delivering physical and environmental improvements in the respective areas –

·        Hannahstown - the capital works include planting, environmental improvements and boundary improvements in line with NIRDP eligibility criteria.

·        Edenderry – environmental improvements works including paths upgrades and new marquee

3.5       The maximum budget available under the Village Renewal Programme is £150,000. The funding is subject to securing match funding from Belfast City Council. In order to secure the full £150,000, £50,000 of capital funding is required from the Council (to be allocated equally across the two village areas).  In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update Members on performance of the Innovation Factory since opening at the end of September 2016 and to summarise Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and areas of work for the coming financial year, as detailed in the Year 2 Business Plan for the Centre.  

1.2       The Year 2 Business Plan, covering the period 1 April 2017 to end of March 2018, has been approved by the joint Project Board. This Board consists of senior-level Officer representation from both Oxford Innovation (the centre operator) and Belfast City Council.  It has responsibility for the strategic oversight of the Innovation Factory, including both the capital and business support activities. 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the achievements of the Centre to date, as set out in Appendix 1; and

·        Endorse the Year 2 Business Plan for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, as approved by the Project Board.

3.0       Main report

3.1      About Innovation Factory

            Innovation Factory is located at Forthriver Business Park and offers Grade A-standard workspace for small businesses.  The building is 55,000 sq. ft. in total; this includes 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 site which was previously the site of James Mackie and Sons Engineering Works.

3.2       The Centre will accommodate 382 workstations across 111 business units when at full capacity. It will support at least 145 jobs 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.

3.3       Belfast City Council accepted hand-over of the Centre from the contractor on 18th April 2016.  It was completed two weeks ahead of the scheduled capital completion date and was on budget. Oxford Innovation Limited was appointed as the operator of the centre via a competitive dialogue procurement process. The Service Contract with Oxford Innovation came into effect on 1 June 2016. The contract is for an initial term of 5 years with the possibility of extension for a further three periods of three years subject to performance.

3.4       In accordance with the contract the performance of Oxford Innovation for the period to end of March 2017 will be formally assessed in April 2017. The contract contains a detailed methodology on how performance will be measured across a series of metrics including:

-       Extent to which services have been delivered in accordance with the Year 1 Service Commencement Plan and Business Plan;

-       Revenue generated;

-       Financial outturn (net profit/loss);

-       Customer satisfaction across tenants and users of the support services;

-       Complaints; and

-       Compliance with the Council’s requirements

3.5       Summary performance indicators to date are detailed in Appendix 1  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

            The Director of Development reminded the Committee that one of the key priorities of the Belfast Agenda was Growing the Economy and he explained that commitment to increase business start-ups, building support for business growth and encouraging additional investment in the City were central to that aim.

            He advised the Members that, in recent years, Belfast’s economic growth had been driven by technology-focused businesses, through both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) businesses and small, indigenous companies which were developing products and services and being exported worldwide.  He reported that, over the last few years, there had been a number of annual tech-focused business conferences and events which sought to showcase best practice, encourage collaboration between businesses and encourage young people to become engaged in the technology sector. 

            The Committee was reminded further that, in April 2014, the Council had supported the inaugural Belfast Technology Conference event and that it had gone on to sponsor the subsequent conferences in April, 2015, and 2016. He outlined to the Members that a request for sponsorship from the Council had been received from BelTech for the 2017 Conference.  He pointed out to the Committee that the amount which had been requested from the Council had once again been reduced, from £10,000 to £8,000, and that the organisers had forecast an additional £32,000 in sponsorship from other private and public sector partners.  The Director advised the Committee that BelTech intended to reduce the request for Council funding each year as the conference grew, with the hope that it would become self-sustaining.

            The Director advised the Committee that the 2017 conference would again be held at the Titanic Belfast and would target technology professionals, technology business owners and those interested in establishing a business, as well as post primary school children, teachers and university students.  He outlined the key themes for this year’s conference, which included Software Engineering, which would be led by Kainos and Liberty IT, and Machine Learning, Connected Learning and Immersive Technology which would be driven by input from the UK Digital Catapult.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     approved the request for sponsorship of £8,000 to support the BelTech conference to be held in Belfast from 5th – 7th April 2017; and

2.     noted that officers were adopting a process for assessing sponsorship requests aligned to the Belfast Agenda targets and outputs with a future report being submitted to the Committee for its endorsement.

            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 update Committee on work underway to identify the key issues around liveability and increasing the residential population in the city centre.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

            Note the contents of the report.

3.0      Main report

            Background

3.1       The City Centre Regeneration & Investment Strategy (BCCRIS) recognises that a residential population is an important element for a successful and vibrant city centre. Belfast’s city centre residential market is currently under-developed. CCRIS identifies the need for 400 additional units each year (6,000 by 2030), but feedback from agents suggests that only a small fraction of this target is coming forward. Additionally the Belfast Agenda outlines the need to grow the population by 70,000 by 2035. A portion of this growth will be accommodated within the city centre.

3.2       It is important to recognise that there are also established residential communities within the city centre estimated, at 2014, to have a population in the region of 9,000-10,000. In addition to areas of social and affordable housing, there a number of apartments in private ownership and private rented tenures at locations such as Adelaide Street, Castle Street/King Street and Victoria Square. The City Centre boundary is defined in Appendix 1.

3.3       In recent years student housing has also contributed a growing component to the mix of residential accommodation in the city centre. The relocation of Ulster University has been a major catalyst and to date, approximately 5,000 units have been consented. The student population will add a much welcomed vibrancy to the city centre which has to be balanced with other housing tenures to ensure an inclusive and balanced city.

3.4       Members have also raised issue of housing in the city centre and the following motion was supported at Council on 1st September 2016:

            ‘This Council notes that there is high social housing need in Belfast, with over 10,000 households on the waiting list and 6,000 households[1] in housing stress, and that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is developing a city centre waiting list for site specific developments.

            The Council believes that, together with the NIHE and other partners, there exists a unique opportunity in the city centre, to create social, affordable and private housing schemes and mixed income communities to increase the residential population and build shared, balanced and sustainable communities.

            The Council agrees, as part of the Local Development Plan process and City Centre Regeneration Scheme, to develop with the NIHE and other key partners a City Centre Liveability Plan, which will set out plans to grow the City centre population through an expansion of the housing offer. This plan will include the development of social, affordable and private housing and seek to encourage more families living in the City centre. The plan will also look at the quality of the places and buildings, the need for private and communal open spaces/parks and access  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

            The Director of Development advised the Committee that the 2016/17 Quarter 3 position for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee was an underspend of £343,000 (2.8%) which included additional income.  He outlined to the Members that the forecast year end position was an underspend of £289,000 (1.8%) which was well within the acceptable tolerance of 3%.

            He reported that the main reasons for the Committee underspend related to vacant posts across a number of services, receipt of additional income in Off-Street Car Parking and an underspend of programme costs in the Development Directorate and Parks Estates.

            The Committee was reminded that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed, at its meeting on 18th November, 2017, to cap in-year departmental cash limits at the Quarter 2 forecast levels in order to offset the rates clawback, as advised by Land and Property Services. The Director advised the Members that there would therefore be no reallocation of that money.

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

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:

-       Advise the Committee of work that has been underway to explore additional opportunities for commercialisation at the Council’s Markets, principally St George’s Market

-       Secure approval from the Committee to move forward with securing sponsorship to support the delivery of the Twilight Market.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note the impending opportunities to pursue sponsorship for the upcoming Twilight Markets and agree to move forward on these, within agreed parameters

-       Note the proposals to move forward with the development of a sponsorship policy across the Council as a means of increasing income from the private sector.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware that St George’s Market is now firmly established as a popular weekend venue that attracts both residents and visitors to the city.  It attracted over one million visitors last year. 

3.2       The venue has won numerous awards over the course of the last year.  These include ‘Best Market’ at the Observer Food Awards in October 2016 and UK’s Best Market as voted by NABMA – the National Association of British Market Authorities in February.  The latter award recognised the additional work being carried out to animate the venue and widen its appeal.  

3.3       In the course of the last year, the venue has been used increasingly for mid-week events and conferences.  These include the Digital DNA conference in June 2016 and the Young Enterprise Market in November 2016.  The Markets Management team is actively pursuing opportunities to secure new business for mid-week events.

3.4       As part of the rates setting process, Members make a commitment to secure additional income in the coming financial year.  This frames the discussion for a more commercial approach to venues such as the Market.  The success and brand recognition of the venue means that it could be a useful pilot for a more commercial approach across other venues and to support wider events.

3.5       One of the most significant areas of opportunity that has emerged in the last year is the Twilight Markets.  The first of these took place on one evening on 11 November 2015.  The event was so successful that people were queuing up to get in.  The subsequent events have taken place over two mid-week days/evenings (Tuesday and Wednesday).  The last event attracted more than 30,000 people over the two days.  Since the events started, they have attracted in excess of 70,000 people. 

3.6       The social media coverage at these events is significant.  The Council’s Communications Team supports a social media-focused campaign (alongside other media such as billboards and flyers) and each event has attracted television coverage.  Traders and attendees have also engaged in the social media activity – and this has very successfully raised the profile of both the event and St George’s Market as a venue.

3.7       In December 2016, the City Growth and Regeneration Committee agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

            The Director of Development reminded the Members that anyone who wished to operate a market or car boot sale within Belfast must apply to the Council for permission.  He reported that an application had been received for a one-off market to be held by the Local Women magazine, in conjunction with a range of local partners, in the Titanic Exhibition Centre on Saturday, 24th June, 2017, from 9am to 3pm.  The Members were advised that, while final details were still to be finalised, that between 30 and 40 stalls would take part in the market, with a focus on local food produce.

            The Director also advised the Members that the Crumlin Road Gaol Market was scheduled to commence in April 2017, with between 27 and 30 stalls taking part in the market. He reported to the Committee that, if successful, the organisers intended that the market would take place on a monthly basis.

            After discussion the Committee approved the granting of a licence for:

·        the Local Women Market to be held at Titanic Exhibition Centre on 24th June, 2017; and

·        monthly markets to be held in Crumlin Road Gaol, commencing in April 2017.

            The Committee agreed to the submission of the draft response to the consultation on the Draft Belfast Bicycle Network 2017, run by the Department for Infrastructure, a copy of which was available here on the Council’s website.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       At City Growth & Regeneration Committee on 12th October 2016 the long term options for the Zoo were presented for consideration.  After discussion it was agreed that the closure of the Zoo and the status quo would not be pursued as options.  A date for the Workshop with Members was agreed for 2nd December to enable Members to develop a range of criteria to be applied and weighted for each of the operating options.   Members also asked to include in the workshop what the Zoo would contain, or focus on, initially.

1.2       The Members’ workshop focused on the following:

·        The value of the Zoo from a conservation and education perspective

·        Whether there are options to change the focus and scale of the zoo – for example moving to European species only/smaller in scale

·        The main themes Finance, staff, investment and associated risks were assessed

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the feedback from the workshop and Members’ written submission

·        Note that other stakeholder engagement is ongoing

·        Provide decisions on the key issues outlined to allow consultants to carry out further work on the options and weight these options for evaluation

3.0       Main report

3.1       Appendix 1 sets out the output from the Members’ working group.  The Members participating gave an indication that the priorities for change included;

            The need to get the balance right between;

·        Welfare

·        Research and Conservation

·        Education

·        Visitor experience (excitement, entertainment and value for money)

            Supporting operations that provide opportunities for;

·        Volunteers

·        Students (schools to post graduates)

·        Researchers

            Providing Zoo facilities that have;

·        Improved attractions for visitors

·        Features which appeal to teenagers

·        An experience which is constantly improving and changing to ensure it remains attractive for repeat visits by local people

            Written submission from a Member;

·        Reassignment of the Zoo to move away from a focus on exotic animals to be replaced with animals from Northern Europe in particular native species.  This is a less expensive option

·        The priority is the physical and mental welfare of the animals

·        There is an opportunity to focus on native species breeding and link in the education and conservation elements to become world renown

·        Redirection of our breeding programme to focus on animal releases back into the wild

·        The costs of the Zoo are prohibitive and should be funded by the Northern Ireland Assembly rather than Belfast City Council

3.2       Other engagement is ongoing with HLF, TNI and Friends of the Zoo generally but they will also be involved in discussions on the preferred options put forward by Committee.

3.3       Key issues to be considered by Committee include:

·        Maintain in-house business operating model or agree an alternative model?

·        Maintain the Zoo on the existing site or relocate?

·        Reduce the size and animal collection at the Zoo?

·        Reassign the Zoo to focus on Northern European animals and native species?

·        Dependant on answers to the forgoing points, what are capital investment implications?

3.4       In considering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11c

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the Belfast Car Parking Strategy for one month.