Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Alderman L. Patterson and Councillors McDonough-Brown and Walsh.

The minutes of the meeting of 14th June 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 July.

            No declarations of interest were recorded.

            The Committee was reminded that it had agreed that a letter be sent to the Department for Infrastructure requesting that limited waiting be introduced on arterial routes in areas close to bus stops, in order to avoid all-day commuter parking.

            The Members were advised that the response stated that the Department had introduced limited waiting in a number of areas along the Lisburn Road, Ormeau Road and Stranmillis Road.  It also highlighted that, in conjunction with the Belfast Rapid transit project, it was proposing to implement limited waiting in a number of lay-bys along the Andersonstown Road, Falls Road, Divis Street, Upper Newtownards Road, Albertbridge Road and Stewartstown Road. 

            The Committee noted the response and agreed to provide officers with any specific locations for the consideration of the Department.

            The Information contained in the following report 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 Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between the Council and McAleer and Rushe, which acquired the former Belfast Telegraph building in October, 2016.

            The Members were provided with an overview of the work which was being undertaken regarding the site.  The Director advised that a short term license had been agreed with a company to occupy a large section of the ground floor of the site for nine months, with an option to renew for a further nine months.  She explained that the interim license would secure an income for the Partnership and would address some of the rates liabilities. The Committee noted that the area would be temporarily used as a venue for entertainment activity and other uses, and that the Council would work closely with the tenant to jointly programme use of the site at various points throughout the year, including culture night.

            The Committee was advised that the long term plan of the Partnership was to secure the BBC as the tenant. It was reported that the LLP was committed to pursuing the BBC as the preferred tenant and that the competitive process would begin later in the year.

            In addition, the Chief Executive outlined that the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Communities had informed her that, while Streets Ahead Phase 3 remained a high priority for the Department, the procurement exercise for the project had not progressed any further due to the financial position of the Department for 2017-2018.  The Chief Executive advised the Members that the Department had indicated that unless it was allocated additional Capital resources, the procurement exercise for the construction works for Phase 3 was unlikely to be progressed in 2017-2018. She explained that, consequently, once a Minister was in place, the tender process would have to start from the beginning which could delay the project well beyond the scheduled dates of the University construction work and other sites being developed in the area.

            The Committee agreed that a letter be sent to the Permanent Secretary, with input from the City Solicitor, asking that the Department reconsider its position on Streets Ahead Phase 3, given that a significant amount of public money had already been spent in bringing the project to that stage.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the progress on the former Belfast Telegraph site and the partnership’s intention to:

-        Issue a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) and engage directly with elected representatives, businesses, communities and other stakeholders later this summer ahead of submitting an outline planning application;

-        Undertake branding and marketing of the site to coincide with community engagement and planning milestones; and

-        Continue to develop a design concept in anticipation of a BBC request for proposals; and

2.     noted the agreed short term license and the ongoing discussions with other potential occupants from the creative and digital sector; and

3.     agreed that a letter be sent to the Permanent Secretary for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee agreed to receive a presentation from Invest NI on the Belfast Regional Briefing 2017 at a future meeting and noted that the Regional Briefing document would be circulated to all Members once finalised.

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

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1         The purpose of this report to advise Committee of a suggested approach to develop discussions on city centre living.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to:

·        consider undertaking a study visit to examine good practice in terms of city centre housing developments in September 2017;

·        note the proposal to facilitate a workshop on the issue of city centre living in October 2017.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       In March 2017, the City Growth and Regeneration Committee received an update on work underway to identify the key issues around liveability and increasing the residential population in the city centre.

3.2       In May 2017, during discussion on the City Centre Programme for 2017/18, Members discussed the importance of addressing the needs of families living in the city centre, in terms of schools and play facilities and noted that a workshop on the issue of city centre living would be held at a future date.

            Work Underway or Undertaken to date

3.3       Local Development Plan

            A Population and Housing Growth Study was completed in October 2016 to help inform the preparation of the Local Development Plan (LDP). In addition to this study, a series of Topic Papers were prepared that relate to Population Change and Housing and the City Centre, which offered an opportunity to examine the contribution the City Centre can make to supporting the potential for growing the population of the city.

3.4       The Council undertook an extensive public consultation on the preferred options and engagement with key stakeholders which concluded on 20th April 2017. The Preferred Options Paper noted that there are underused, derelict sites and significant areas of brownfield land which we are encouraged to redevelop by regional policy and which lie within the city centre. The responses to the POP consultation were published this month and it is anticipated that the draft Plan Strategy will be published for consultation in early 2018.

3.5       To supplement the preferred options research an Urban Capacity Study is currently underway to identify where any additional housing requirements can be accommodated, including the contribution that the City Centre can make through the re-use of vacant buildings on upper floors and housing as a component of mixed use developments.  This will be incorporated into the Plan Strategy which will be subject to an independent examination before it can be adopted as the first part of the new policy framework for the city.  Following adoption of the Plan Strategy, the preparation for the Local Policies Plan will be commenced including, where appropriate, work to set out more detailed policies and site specific designations.

3.6       Department for Communities

            The Department for Communities undertook a second stage of a Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector with a public consultation exercise on the document taking place between January and April 2017.

            The Council’s response was reported to the People and Communities Committee on 7th March 2017.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Director of Development updated the Members on the development of the bid with Derry City and Strabane District Council to become the UK designated city for the European Capital of Culture 2023.

            The Members were reminded that a joint workshop had been held at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Bellaghy, on 19th June where Members from both Councils had explored the opportunities and benefits of progressing the bid, gained insight into the experiences of other European Capitals of Culture in terms of the positive legacy which had been created and shaped the emerging vision and themes of the bid.

            The Director advised the Committee that significant progress had been made on developing the bid with a number of activities having taken place, including:

·        an official media launch in both cities which had resulted in significant broadcast, print and online coverage;

·        an ongoing civic engagement programme with over 2,000 people across both Council areas having directly engaged with the European Capital of Culture team which helped to shape the emerging themes;

·        a detailed community engagement through both Councils in terms of summer schemes and activities, as well as partner organisations; and

·        a series of sessions with the wider cultural sector to begin to develop programme ideas

            He explained that, in order to ensure further Member engagement, it was proposed that a second workshop would be held at the beginning of September. It was outlined that the workshop would provide Members with a detailed update on the engagement process and the associated themes for the bid, an overview of programme content and discussion on the level of financial commitment required and the associated funding strategy.

            Given the timelines associated with the submission of the final stage 1 bid, the Director explained that an update report would be submitted to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee at its meeting on 13th September, with the final proposal and financial information being submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for its consideration on 22nd September, 2017.

            The Director informed the Committee that a request had been received for the Lord Mayor to attend the launch of the Belfast International Arts Festival 2017, in New York, on 18th September, 2017. He explained that this would provide a platform to promote the European Capital of Culture bid as part of a three day programme and that there would be opportunities to undertake further engagement on the key themes emerging for the joint bid. As well as engaging with the diaspora based in New York, he confirmed to the Members that invitations would also be extended to sister city colleagues in Boston and Nashville.

            After discussion, it was

            Moved by Alderman Kingston,

            Seconded by Councillor Dorrian,

      That the Committee agrees that the Lord Mayor and two officers should not attend the launch of the Belfast International Arts Festival in New York on 18th September, 2017.

            On a vote by show of hands, seven Members voted for the proposal and eight against and it was declared  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1        The purpose of the report is to:

-       Update Members on International Relations activity over the summer period, focusing on the city of Boston, and to seek approval for Members’ participation in an October outward mission to Boston in October 2017.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note recent developments with respect to the Belfast-Boston Sister City relationship;

-       Agree to the attendance of the Lord Mayor and the Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, or their nominees along with one Officer on an outward mission to Boston, during the week of 16–20Oct 2017. The cost of this visit will not exceed £5,000.

3.0       Main report

            Boston Outward Visit

3.1       Members will recall that, in March 2017, the City Growth and Regeneration Committee approved a new International Relations Framework for the period 2016-2021. Members will be aware that this Framework delivers 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.

3.2       This March Committee report also included an annual action plan outlining upcoming events, projects and key opportunities for collaboration with city partners to promote Belfast on the international stage as a place to visit, study, work and do business. This plan included details of a proposed Belfast visit to Boston in the current financial year, subject to agreement with partner organisations.

3.3       Members will be aware that a cross-cutting and high profile delegation from Boston visited the city in June 2017.  This visit marked the third anniversary of the signing of the Sister City agreement between Boston and Belfast – the first Sister City agreement signed by Mayor Walsh when he came into office.  The delegation comprised senior representatives from a number of fields, including further and higher education, arts and culture and urban regeneration. In addition to meetings with elected members, the representatives also engaged in one-to-one meetings with their Belfast-based counterparts to either explore new areas of collaboration or to build on existing relationships and review how these could move to the next level.

3.4       In advance of the proposed outward visit, Belfast City Council will also host both Boston and Nashville in a joint inward mission from 4 – 6 October 2017. While details of the delegations from both cities are currently being finalised, it is expected that up to 60 representatives across both cities will be in Belfast at that time.  In order to maximise the value of the inward visit and to ensure the appropriate level of civic welcome, Members of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee will be invited to meet the delegates on a number of occasions over the three days.  Further details on the draft programme will be brought back to the September meeting of this Committee and invitations to the respective events will be circulated as appropriate.

3.5       In order to maintain momentum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6b

            The Chief Executive welcomed Ms. Marie Clarke to the meeting, who had recently taken up the position as Marketing Manager in the City Centre Development team.

            The Chief Executive provided the Committee with an update on the roll-out of the new visual identity for Belfast.  She reminded the Committee that the new branding would replace the current city identity of the Belfast “B”.  The Committee was reminded that it had agreed to the new City branding, as presented by McCadden Design at its meeting in May 2017, and that McCadden had since engaged in consultation with a series of the City’s stakeholders.

            The Chief Executive advised the Members that, while there would be no official launch for the new visual branding, it would gradually begin to be used in a series of flagship projects involving City partners including Visit Belfast, Titanic Belfast, the Belfast Waterfront, Translink and key developers in the City from the end of August 2017. 

            The Marketing Manager added that the Council would use the new branding in the hoardings around the Andersonstown, Brook and Robinson Leisure Centres which were being redeveloped as well as advertisements for Council-organised events such as the Autumn Fair and the Halloween Monster Mash.

            In response to a Member’s question in relation to the importance of briefing the media on the new visual identity, the Chief Executive agreed that engagement with the press would take place.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the approach for Belfast’s new visual identity.

            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 request approval from Members to financially support a range of music Events and Festivals within the current financial year and during the financial year 18/19 only, pending the outcome of the current strategic review of Events and Festivals.  The events are as follows: 

-       BBC Music Events 2018/19 (BBC Big Music Weekend, Radio 2 Folk Awards & Proms)

-       GradamCeoil 2017/18 & 2018/19

-       Féile an Phobail 2018/19

-       Other Voices 2018/19

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Approve, in principle, provision of a financial contribution towards some of the costs associated with the following Events & Festivals as part of a potential year of music. 

-       GradamCeoil 17/18 - £50,000

-       GradamCeoil 18/19 - £50,000

-       Féile an Phobail 18/19 - £180,000

-       Other Voices 18/19 - £40,000

-       BBC Music Events 18/19 (BBC Big Music Weekend, Radio 2 Folk Awards & Proms) - £200,000

2.2       Based on the 2017/18 City Events Unit budget £200,000 would be available to support these events in 2018/19. (During 2017/18 City Events Unit have funded the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the World B Ice Hockey Championships, the UEFA U-19 Women’s Football Championships and the World 24 hour Endurance Race, totalling £200,000.  None of these events will take place in Belfast during 2018/19).

2.3       Given the timescales required for the planning of the BBC Music Events it is recommended that the available £200,000 is allocated by Committee to the BBC events. Members should note that if approved, the funding of £50,000 for Gradam Ceoil 2017/18 would come from within existing departmental budgets. This would leave a shortfall in funding of £270,000.

2.4       The Committee is therefore further asked to:

·        Agree to refer the remainder of the funding requirement to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in September with a request to give priority to the remaining events and festivals when it is considering in-year re-allocations at the half year or year end.

3.0       Main Report

            Strategic Context

3.1       As Members will be aware, Festivals and Events International Consultants have been appointed to develop an Events and Festival Strategy, this will be completed in December 2017.  This Strategy will set the direction of travel in relation to the future decisions on Council’s funding of Belfast’s Events and Festivals for 2019/20 and beyond. 

3.2       Investment in Events and Festivals strengthens the profile of the City as a culturally vibrant destination, thus supporting the Belfast Agenda and also aligning well with the current bid for European Capital of Culture in 2023.  They also reinforce the commitment to build the city’s cultural profile and showcase its creative talent.  It is considered that support for the Events & Festivals noted in this report will make an overwhelmingly positive contribution towards the promotion of Belfast and its cultural offer.

3.3       In the interim period, 2018/19 will effectively be a transition year with regard to funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6d

            The Director reminded the Committee that the Area Learning Communities had presented, in conjunction with a number of local school principals, to the Committee at its meeting on 14th June.

            He advised the Members that many of the city’s schools, colleges and universities rivalled the best in the world, with students in Northern Ireland achieving higher grades than their counterparts in all other UK regions at both GCSE and A-Level.  He pointed out that, while 60% of pupils in Belfast achieved 5 or more GCSEs, or equivalent, at grades A*-C in 2014/15, that meant that 40% of our young people reaching the age of 16 had not achieved that standard.  The Committee was advised that the figure stood at only 35% for those young people which were entitled to Free School Meals (FSME).  

            The Members were reminded that social disadvantage had a significant impact on educational attainment levels and that the Belfast Agenda contained commitments to ensure that children and young people would get the best start in life.

            He presented a number of proposals to the Members, which were linked to the Employability and Skills Framework 2015-2025, and included:

·        career advisory and employer engagement initiatives - which would build on existing campaigns such as the Department of the Economy’s Connect to Success work experience portal, and would also include paid work placements, with a proposed budget of £70,000;

·        development of digital skills - to ensure young people were equipped with the skills required for future industry, with a proposed budget of £60,000; and

·        support for targeted activities to help young people who had recently fallen out of the education system - where the Council would work to add value to existing interventions provided by the Prince’s Trust, with a budget of £70,000.

            The Director confirmed to the Members that the budgets were already available for the work to be undertaken and that they had been approved as part of the estimates process. 

            He highlighted to the Committee that, while the above activities were for the 2017/2018 financial year, officers were continuing to engage with government departments and other councils to identify other areas for collaboration.

            In relation to the paid, 4-6 week work placements, a Member requested whether students could be identified earlier in the year so that linkages between the students and the companies could be made prior to the placements taking place, in order to increase the likelihood of engagement and full attendance throughout the placement.

            The Member also enquired about the use of Belfast Metropolitan’s E3 campus, to which the Director advised the Committee that discussions were ongoing in relation to its possible designation as a digital hub.

            A Member stated that it was well-known that it was extremely difficult for a child to get a worthwhile placement for their “work experience” week if they did not have the right connections through their parents or family friends.

            The Director explained to the Members that, as a key employer within the city, the Council had a vital  ...  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:

·        Provide Members with an update on the work to date on the Community Based Tourism Programme

·        Seek Members’ approval to progress with a number of priority actions under this programme for the 2017/18 financial year.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the contents of the report; and

·        Consider the key areas of focus for 2017-18 as set out and endorse delivery of the actions and associated budgets as outlined.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       The Integrated Tourism Strategy was approved by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in May 2015. The Strategy was developed in tandem with the City Centre Regeneration Strategy and Investment Plan and the proposals are aligned to support the future development, economic growth and profile of the city.

3.2       The vision is to develop Belfast as a city that wants to welcome the world and share its history by creating a destination that the world wants to experience first hand.  The strategic goal is to double the value of tourism by 2020 with the focus on achieving this by generating discretionary tourist overnight stays, especially higher value leisure and business tourism.  

3.3       The strategy sets out a number of priority areas for investment, namely:

-       Visitor management – providing excellence in visitor management standards through our £1.8 million investment in Visit Belfast on an annual basis, as well as securing more recently, coach parking in the city. 

-       Capacity building development – building the capacity of locally-based tourism providers to develop their products and sell more effectively with plans now in place to progress Community Tourism.

-       Business tourism – supporting investment in business tourism through our investment in the subvention programme in partnership with Tourism NI.

-       Increased tourism product – particularly through new hotel developments and progress to develop the Belfast Story Visitor attraction.

-       Improved quality of service – improving customer service standards across all hospitality establishments through the provision of training programme such as World Host and training programmes offered through the hospitality academy which is managed by Council’s Economic Initiatives team. 

-       Increased marketing activity – targeting key market segments and partnering with organisations through partnership working with Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and Visit Belfast.

3.4       Members will be aware that approval was given in May 2017 for the delivery of this year’s Tourism Plan. One of the key actions contained within that report was the development of community tourism and the importance of supporting the development of local tourism products across the city which will ensure the benefits of tourism growth are felt across Belfast – not just in the city centre. 

            Local Tourism

3.5       Since then, Officers have been working with key organisations including Tourism NI and local tourism organisations such as East West Tourism Development Steering Group (involving East Belfast Partnership and Fáilte Feirste Thiar) to identify and explore opportunities for supporting the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

            The Committee noted a report which outlined the success of the Routes Europe Conference which had been held in the Belfast Waterfront between 22nd and 25th April, 2017.  The information provided was from Invest NI’s first Post Project Review.

            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 conference at the Belfast Waterfront.  He advised the Committee that Routes Europe had indicated a number of benefits to the host city included positive PR coverage, potential new airline routes and additional leisure and business tourism visitors.

            The Committee was advised of the other key partners which had contributed to the conference, including Invest NI, Tourism NI, the two local airports, Tourism Ireland, Visit Belfast, the Department of the Economy and Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. and noted that all partners had also made in-kind contributions towards the success of the event. 

            The Director outlined a number of key deliverables from the conference, which included:

·        1,160 delegates, including 114 airlines, 270 airports and 36 tourism authorities;

·        140 delegate tours;

·        750 attendees at the City Hall Welcome Reception;

·        1,000 attendees at the Titanic Gala Networking Events;

·        101 pieces of press coverage; and

·        eight new routes announced during the conference, from Belfast to Naples, Madeira, Almeria, Antayla, Crete, Malta, Rhodes and Paphos, which in turn had created 50 new jobs.

            The Director explained that both local airports had advised officers that, as a result of the conference, doors were now much more open than they were before and that they expected additional business routes to be announced throughout the coming months.

            He outlined to the Members the results from the Post-Event Delegates survey, which had shown that delegates had rated the event with the highest rating that a Routes Europe event had ever received.  The Committee was advised that both the Welcome Reception and the Networking Events had been rated as market leading in the conference and exhibition industry and that the organisers had asked to use Belfast as an exemplar case study of how to deliver a successful Routes Europe Conference.

            The Director also highlighted that 83% of delegates had stated that their perceptions of Belfast were more positive than before, with 52% having said that they saw opportunities for their organisation in the city.

            The Committee noted the update which had been provided.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of the report is to update Members on the recent workshop held on the 21st June 2017.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Agree on the actions contained in the report; and

·        Note that a further report will be presented to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee in September 2017.

3.0       Main report

3.1       In May 2017 Members agreed to participate in a workshop which was scheduled for June 2017. This workshop was held to inform the Strategic Review of the Belfast Bikes which is currently being carried out.

3.2       As part of the Strategic Review the discussions with Members were categorised as follows:

·        To revisit the original rationale and aims and objectives for the scheme

·        To provide an update on the scheme to date

·        To discuss the highlights and challenges

·        To discuss and agree the way forward

3.3       Members were provided with an update of the scheme to date and the benefits achieved thus far.  These included:

·        Steadily increasing membership both Annual and Casual

·        Increased number of cyclists

·        Increased support of tourism events

·        Improved activity levels

·        Increased level of investment in cycling (leveraged funding)

·        Improved connectivity in the City Centre

·        Additional choice of mode of transport

·        Affordability for short distance trips

·        Increased number of tourists cycling

·        Improved city green credentials

·        Improved image of Belfast

3.4       Members were also provided with information regarding the scheme coverage and current usage patterns.

3.5       Key Issues Identified

            The key issues identified by Members were in relation to the following areas:

·        Cost of scheme

·        Pricing policy

·        Coverage and potential expansion

·        Vandalism and theft

            Cost of the Scheme

3.6       Whilst Members acknowledged that the key outcomes of the implementation of a Bike Scheme in Belfast were not predicated on cost and that the other Benefits in relation to Health and Wellbeing were still relevant, there are concerns that the investment by the Council is substantially higher than the predicted level.

            Pricing Policy

3.7       Members questioned the pricing policy and a discussion was had in relation to examining the current pricing structure and membership options. Members requested that options were brought back to Committee in respect of pricing, benchmarking with other schemes and options for alternative memberships such as ‘Pay as You Go’. 

            Promotion

3.8       Members acknowledged that the marketing and promotion of Belfast Bikes has been excellent and requested that further efforts were to be examined in the bid to increase membership. It was agreed that this would be looked at and Committee would be provided with options for moving forward.

            Coverage and Expansion of the Scheme

3.9       A detailed discussion took place in respect of the coverage of the scheme and future plans for expansion.  It was recognised that some stations experienced low usage and Members asked about the possibility of moving said stations to other key areas.  It was discussed how the current system is flexible and that stations could be moved, however there would be a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1        The purpose of the report is to:

·        Update Members on plans by the Atlantic Youth Trust to build a sail training vessel to facilitate youth development, mentoring and training on an all-island basis

·        Seek Member support to encourage the Northern Ireland Executive to progress the release of the funding to allow the project to move forward. 

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the work of the Atlantic Youth Trust (AYT) and the link to some of the Council activity to support major maritime-based events as well as supporting youth engagement and skills development through a Council funded Sail Training Programme.

·        Agree to write a letter to Northern Ireland Executive to encourage the release of the funding. 

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Key Issues

            The Atlantic Youth Trust is a youth development and cultural integration charity that brings together young people from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to engage in sail-based training and development activity. 

3.2       One of the organisation’s key ambitions has been to develop its own Tall Ship that will act as a focal point for the future engagement and training activity.  AYT has been engaging is an extensive programme of political outreach and lobbying to secure the necessary funding for the construction of the vessel.  At this point in time, they have been able to secure resources from the Republic of Ireland government.  These are to be matched by resources from the Northern Ireland Executive. 

3.3       The Fresh Start Agreement included a commitment to work with the Irish government to ‘seek agreement on a funding plan for the Atlantic Youth Trust initiative’. This funding was to focus on the build and fit-out of the training vessel to facilitate youth development, mentoring, and training on an all-island basis.

3.4       As part of their fundraising engagement, AYT were able to secure a £20,000 legacy donation from the 2015 Belfast Tall Ships Races – an initiative lead by BCC.

3.5       If the project does progress, there are opportunities to link this to a range of additional activities in which the Council is engaged.  These include the potential return of the Tall Ships event to Belfast between 2021 and 2023 (subject to funding), youth engagement and outreach activity through our Community Services Team and skills development support.  There is also the opportunity to use the vessel to support the city’s bid for European Capital of Culture as it would sail to a number of ports across Europe. 

3.6       Atlantic Youth Trust has asked for Council support to encourage the Northern Ireland Executive to engage to agree the funding plan and necessary match-funding resources to go alongside the resources provided by the Irish government.  It is proposed that a letter of support is issued to the Northern Ireland Executive outlining the Council support for this activity and encouraging NI Executive engagement to progress the funding discussions. 

3.7       Equality and Good Relations Implications

            No  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8b