Agenda and minutes

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

            The minutes of the meetings of 10th and 24th January were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st February.

            Councillors Howard and Graham declared an interest in Item 3a – European Social Fund, in that Councillor Howard was an employee of Belfast Met, and Councillor Graham was an employee of LEMIS.  Both Members left the room for the duration of the discussion.

            The Committee noted that the above item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st February, had considered the following motion which had been proposed by Councillor Dorrian and seconded by Councillor Lyons:

“This Council recognises the concerns of many communities across Belfast in respect to ‘problem parking’ in their neighbourhoods, primarily during day time work hours, and recognises the need for further substantive engagement to address and resolve this issue.

To date, strategies and campaigns have had minimal impact in solving these communities’ difficulties.

In mind of ambitious investment and expansion plans contained in the Belfast Agenda, the Council calls for immediate, co-ordinated action to improve parking measures and notes the lack of enforcement action to date with respect to bus and cycle lanes. 

This motion also reaffirms the Council’s commitment to full implementation of its car parking strategy, delivering proper parking infrastructure and taking appropriate action against those who show daily disregard for local communities.”

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion had been referred to the Committee for consideration.

            A Member stated that he had met with the PSNI in relation to the serious parking problems across the City and that the situation was getting worse.

            A further Member agreed, stating that she lived in an area which had been affected by problem parking for a number of years.  She stated that the communities which bounded the city centre should be involved in discussions with the Department for Infrastructure.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the contents of the motion; and

2.     agreed that there would be engagement with those communities which bounded the city centre, in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure, to discuss the issues within the motion.

            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

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the Press and public from the Committee meeting during discussion of the items as, due to the nature of the item, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42 (4) and Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            (Councillors Graham and Howard left the room for the duration of the discussion on this item)

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration, to a Special meeting on 21st February, of the allocation of the Employability and Skills European Social Fund (ESF) match funding budget.

            The Committee acceded to a request from NI Water to attend a future meeting of the Committee to provide an update on the investment which it was making within the City and also to receive an update on the Living with Water programme.

            The Committee acceded to a request from the MJM Group to present to a future meeting on its property investments within the city and on its plans to develop a new high value industry fitting out cruise ships in the Belfast Harbour.

            The Director of City Centre Development provided the Committee with an update on the preparations for MIPIM 2018, which would take place at the Palais de Festivals in Cannes, between 13th and 16th March.

            She reported that, following the successful launch event for Belfast at MIPIM 2018, which had taken place on 22nd November, 2017, private sector sponsorship was higher than last year and that sponsors included representatives from the property development, architecture, construction and professional services industries.

            The Committee was advised that the Belfast delegation would use more high impact, targeted events this year, with an increased presence on the main conference agenda and co-hosting events with other cities.

            The Director highlighted that a number of high profile marketing events would take place over the three days, showcasing the City’s key sectors, cultural offering and development and investment opportunities to the occupier and investor communities.  She also outlined that there would be a number of investor focused events sponsored by Invest NI and Arup respectively.

            In addition, the Committee noted that Belfast had been invited to take part in a number of events alongside other cities, including a panel discussion on the main MIPIM conference stage on the topic of “Global cities: the new powerhouses”.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding the VU.CITY interactive 3D model, the Director confirmed that it would be completed by the end of February.

            The Committee noted the approach to Belfast at MIPIM 2018, including the programme of events being planned.

            The Director of Development outlined to the Members that the Council’s City Events Unit delivered a series of high profile public events which were free to access by both citizens and visitors to the city.

            He explained that, in 2017/2018, it was estimated that those events had generated over £16million of additional economic activity and 317,527 visitors through the programme.

            The Committee was advised that the programme included a number of specific events in 2018, for which the Committee had previously agreed to provide funding.  He outlined that these included the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the BBC Biggest Weekend, the BBC Proms in the Park and the World Vespa Gathering.  It was also pointed out to the Members that the Committee had agreed, in January 2015, to fund the Royal Scottish Pipe Bands Association’s UK National Piping Championships for three years.

            He outlined to the Committee the following draft programme of events which would be delivered or supported by the Council’s City Events Unit in 2018/2019:

            The Committee agreed the draft City Events Unit Programme of Events for 2018/2019.

            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 Members of correspondence received from Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) regarding the creation of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA).  At the City Growth & Regeneration Committee meeting in January, Members asked for a number of clarifications on a previous report on this proposal.

1.2       TNI have asked that Belfast City Council becomes a member of the Alliance at a cost of £2,000 per year.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Consider the request for Belfast City Council to become a member of the NI Tourism Alliance.

·        Approve the contribution of £2,000 per annum for an initial period of 3 years.

·        Funding to come from within the Development Department’s existing budget.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members will be aware of the growing importance of the tourism industry to Belfast and Northern Ireland.  It is estimated that around 18,000 people are employed in the tourism and hospitality sector.  The significant growth in hotel development – with an additional 1,000 rooms becoming available in 2018 – will only serve to increase the employment potential of the sector.

3.2       At present, hospitality accounts for around 5.2% of GDP.  This is around half of the figure for comparative cities across the UK and this demonstrates the potential for additional development.

3.3       Unlike other industry sectors, tourism and hospitality does not have a strong industry body to represent its interests to government and to provide a focal point for engagement with the sector.  Taking account of this, Tourism NI has been working with a number of key representatives from the sector and agreement has been reached to establish the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance.

3.4       Recently, a number of trade associations and tourism businesses comprising senior and influential stakeholders from across the NI tourism sector have come together in recent months to seek the formation of such a body.  Tourism NI as the lead agency for the development of tourism in Northern Ireland has sought to support the group in its efforts by facilitating this process.  However, it is important to note that whilst Tourism Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body of the Department for the Economy (DFE) this initiative is private sector led.

3.5       The group has progressed matters to the point of incorporation of a LTD Company with agreed Articles of Association in place.  It is their desire for this Limited Company to be formally known as ‘The Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance’.  Such a name will demonstrate that the organisation speaks with the necessary authority as a pre-eminent and substantial representative for its sector across Northern Ireland.

3.6       The purpose of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance is to champion the tourism sector and its benefits to the regional economy, make the case for resources to be made available for the development and delivery of tourism growth, including the work of local government, and to advocate for positive policy change  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6c

            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 recommend a funding contribution of £6,000 from the agreed economic development budget (reduced from the previous year) towards the delivery of the Belfast Technology Conference 2018 (BelTech).

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to:

·        Consider and approve the request for sponsorship of £6,000 to support the BelTech conference to be held in Belfast on 3-4 May 2018.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Key Issues

            Members will be aware that one of the key priorities of the Belfast Agenda is Growing the Economy.   Central to this pillar of activity is the commitment to increase business start-up, build support for business growth and encourage additional investment in the City. 

3.2       Belfast’s economic growth in recent years has been driven by technology-focused businesses operating across a range of sectors.  These companies are both FDI businesses and small, indigenous companies that are developing products and services here that are being exported worldwide or have the potential to do so.

3.3       Over the course of the last few years, there have been a number of annual tech-focused business conferences and events that have sought to showcase best practice, encourage collaboration between businesses and encourage young people to become engaged in the tech sector.  The growing support for the Smart City Agenda means that the Council and the City are now looking at technology not only as a business product but also as a way of changing the way we all do business. 

3.4       Belfast City Council supported the inaugural Belfast Technology Conference event which took place in April 2014 and the subsequent conferences in April 2015, 2016 and 2017. Sponsorship from the Council was reduced from £15,000 to £10,000 in 2016 and £8,000 in 2017 with the view to reducing the reliance on Council funding each year as the conference grows and becomes self-sustaining.

3.5       The 2017 conference took place over the course of 3 days at Titanic Belfast and brought together technology and business leaders from around the globe to showcase emerging technologies to support the industry to innovate and compete effectively at a global level.

3.6       The 2017 conference also helped educate and inspire the next generation by engaging with school children, parents and teachers about the potential of a career in digital technology.

3.7       BelTech 2017 attracted a total of 650 attendees, which is an increase of 250 since its inception in 2014. Around 250 of these were technology professionals and 400 were students. 2017 was the first year that the event trialled two stages with a technology theme. Whilst one focused on Software Engineering only, the other featured discussions on Internet of Things (IOT), Immersive Tech and Cyber Security.

3.8       The 2018 conference will be held at the new BelTel Print Hall (the old Belfast Telegraph building) and will target technology professionals, technology business owners and potential funders as well as post primary school children, teachers and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6d

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the City for Investment Service, in order that Party Group Briefings would be provided on the matter. 

            The Committee further agreed that the research referenced in the report, in relation to the levels of under-represented groups involved in entrepreneurship and business start activity across Belfast, would be made available at the briefings.

            The Director of Development provided the Committee with an update on the upcoming Peace and Beyond Conference, which would take place in Belfast from 10th-12th April.

            He pointed out to the Members that 10th April, 2018, would mark twenty years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and that the British Council was working with both Queen’s University and Ulster University, as well as the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, to host a major conference in Belfast to mark the event. 

            The Director explained to the Members that the objective of the Conference was to bring together policy makers and peace practitioners from around the world to share reflections on the experience of various peace processes, with the events building on the Northern Ireland experience of, and expertise in, conflict resolution and peace building. 

            He outlined to the Committee that the British Council had invited a number of individuals who had played a key role in the Good Friday Agreement negotiations to attend, including former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.  The Members were advised that, while a decision on whether President Clinton would attend the Conference had not been confirmed, a number of senior representatives involved in peace-building in South Africa, Libya, Colombia, Serbia and Lebanon had already confirmed their attendance.       It was pointed out to the Members that the event would attract more than 200 international visitors to the City.

            The Director highlighted to the Members that one of the main aims of the Conference was to highlight the key role played by local organisations and institutions in building and securing the peace process in Northern Ireland.  He explained that one day would be dedicated to a series of site visits, including the Girdwood Hub and the Innovation Factory, which would also offer an opportunity to showcase and highlight the role that Belfast City Council played in supporting local communities to build sustainable approaches to peace and to encourage inclusive economic growth within the City.

            He advised the Members that the opening reception for the Conference would take place in Belfast City Hall on 10th April, with a proposed budget allocation of £20,000 towards cultural animation and hospitality at the opening event.  He explained that the funding had been set aside in departmental estimates for 2018/2019. 

            The Committee was advised that the British Council had offered to provide six complimentary tickets for elected Members to attend the Conference.  During discussion, a Member suggested that the Committee request additional complimentary conference tickets to enable independent Councillors, who were not members of one of the six main political parties, to also attend.

After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the update on the upcoming Peace and Beyond Conference which would take place in Belfast from 10-12th April 2018;

2.     noted that the opening reception would take place in Belfast City Hall on 10th April 2018 and agreed a budget allocation of up to £20,000 towards cultural animation and hospitality at that event.  The funding had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6f

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to:

            Update Members on a number of international profiling opportunities for Belfast, focusing on the cultural and creative talent in the City.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to:

·        Note the range of international profiling opportunities for Belfast, profiling the City’s creative and cultural talent

·        Note the opportunities for increased engagement with the City’s investment messaging as well as the potential for additional partnership engagement with relevant organisations in Belfast’s Sister Cities, to promote cultural and business exchanges. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

            Members will be aware of the increased focus of the Council and its partners in promoting Belfast as a business and investment location.  On the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) side, the Council works closely with Invest NI in supporting that organisation’s work in bringing new investment to Northern Ireland.  As set out in a separate report, working relationships are extremely positive between the organisations and we are in the process of putting in place an MoU to set out our parameters of engagement on Foreign Direct Investment support.

3.2       On the capital investment side, the City Centre Development Team has been leading on a number of initiatives to create confidence in the investment market and to bring forward new investment schemes.  This includes the Council support for the £18.7million City Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) as well as proposals for the development of a new City Centre Visitor Attraction and regeneration frameworks for key development zones in the City Cente and surrounding areas.

3.3       One of the key factors in any investment decision – either capital investment or Foreign Direct Investment – is the wider City ‘offer’ in terms of quality of life, city ambition and vibrancy.  A City’s cultural provision is a key pillar of that ‘offer’ as it gives confidence to investors that it is a City that open to attracting people in and catering for the range of cultural tastes and interests.  Recognising that this is a critical factor in our efforts to sell Belfast internationally, the marketing materials and messaging draw attention to the fact that Belfast is a dynamic, vibrant location with a sense of energy and ambition.  The city narrative and brand emphasises this sense of vibrancy and uniqueness in a very competitive investment market. 

3.4       The sense of momentum and ambition created through the development work on the European City of Culture (ECoC) bid as well as the success of some of the major cultural events and initiatives that take place across the City each year highlight the ambition and potential of the City’s cultural sector.  Recognising this potential, the Council has committed to supporting a number of profiling opportunities in which the cultural offer is in the lead but where it is supported by the City investment messaging.  These include:

3.5       South by South West (SXSW)

            South by South West (SXSW) is a global gathering for the interactive, digital and music  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6g

            The Director of Development advised the Members that work was currently under way to support the development of new tourism products across the City.

            He reported that the vision was to develop Belfast and share its history by creating a destination that visitors to the city would want to experience first-hand.  The Members were advised that the strategic goal was to double the value of tourism by 2020 by generating discretionary tourist overnight stays, especially higher value leisure and business tourism.  He highlighted to the Committee that, currently, the tourism and hospitality sector contributed around 5% of Belfast’s Gross Value Added (GVA), whereas other comparable locations had a figure closer to 11%, which showed significant potential for growth within the sector.  

            He explained to the Committee that, in order to encourage visitors to stay longer, the city needed to be assured that there was sufficient volume of high-quality tourism products which would allow them to fill their time in Belfast.

            He reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 10th May 2017, it had agreed to provide support towards the development of local tourism in order to ensure that the benefits of tourism growth were felt across Belfast and not just in the City Centre. 

            The Members were advised that officers had been working with partners including Tourism NI, the East Belfast Partnership and Fáilte Feirste Thiar to identify and explore opportunities for supporting the development of local tourism and encouraging improved visibility of and access to the tourism product. The Director explained that some of the emerging ideas included the need for investment in local capacity building, as well as the need to support the development of new tourism product to capture the unique offer in each of the areas and an authentic Belfast experience.

            The Director advised the Members that, while the work on the Local Tourism Programme would continue and extend to cover all areas of the City, it was felt that external support should be utilised in order to test out the feasibility and viability of a number of the product development concepts.  He outlined that it would establish whether there was merit in seeking further investment support to help bring the new products to market in the context of potential investment opportunities through the City Deal and other relevant funding streams, including the re-casted Social Outcomes Fund, to support the City’s growing tourism infrastructure.

            The Committee agreed to provide up to £25,000 to commission external support to test the viability of emerging product development ideas in the City’s neighbourhoods with a view to helping the Council and its partners to focus their investment on those products that were most likely to become sustainable businesses.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has opened a call for suggestions for themes for their next Brexit and Northern Ireland Inquiry.  The call for suggestions will close on 22 February 2018.  Suggestions are to be submitted electronically, and should set out the theme and why Brexit poses a particular challenge or opportunity in that area.

1.2       The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Northern Ireland Office and its associated public bodies. It consists of 13 Members of Parliament and works principally by undertaking inquiries. For the inquiries, evidence is sought from a wide range of groups and individuals with relevant interests and experience to inform the Committee’s findings and recommendations.  The NI Affairs Committee has carried out Brexit related inquiries into the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and has opened a sub-inquiry into the implications of Brexit for the fishing industry in Northern Ireland.

1.3       On 21 November 2017, the Committee held a Special meeting to focus on Brexit in order to explore the potential economic impact and to consider Belfast’s resilience to meet the challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities for the future to ensure the economic growth and regeneration of the city. With input from a range of external expert perspectives, the Committee noted a number of potential areas of impact of particular relevance to achieving the ambitions for inclusive growth, attracting investment and growing the Belfast economy at its meeting on 6 December 2017.

1.4       The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee’s request for suggestions provides an opportunity to highlight the issues and opportunities of particular relevance to Belfast, and to have the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee apply its resources to investigate it.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Based on the Committee’s consideration of Brexit, the Committee is asked to:

-       Note the NI Affairs Committee themed approach to its next Brexit and NI Inquiry; and

-       Consider and approve the suggested themes outlined at paragraph 3.6 to be submitted to the NI Affairs Committee as topic areas for the next Brexit and Northern Ireland Inquiry. 

3.0       Main report

3.1      Key Issues

            At its meeting on 21 November, this Committee considered the potential impact and opportunities of Brexit within the context of the Belfast Agenda and Local Development Plan which have set a challenging and ambitious vision for the city in 2035, with inclusive growth at the centre.  These plans are set within the current strategic and economic context, acknowledging the uncertainty and challenges and highlighting the importance of tackling the city’s systemic social and economic issues such as economic inactivity to create sustainable economic growth.

3.2       The potential impacts of Brexit are wide-reaching and there may be other issues that impact more directly on other Committees, such as regulatory and legislative changes. This Committee has acknowledged the following broad areas of particular relevance to achieving the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To update the Committee on markets including the Christmas Continental Market, St George’s Market and Twilight Markets and the proposed increase in stallage fees for St George’s Market

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the update on the Christmas Market

·        Note the update on the St George’s Market and Twilight Markets

·        Note and agree the proposal to increase the stallage fee at St George’s Market, from £15 to £16 per stall per day, from 1 April 2018 and to increase the stallage fee for hot food concessions from £15 to £25 per stall per day, from 1 April 2018

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members will be aware that the Spring and Christmas Markets at Belfast City Hall are operated on behalf of the Council by Market Place Europe (MPE).  The contract runs from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019.

3.2       This year’s Christmas Market took place from 18 November to 23 December 2017.  In all, there were 98 stalls.  As part of the contract with the Council, there is a requirement for at least 30% of the traders to be local.  In reality 34 (33.3%) of the traders at this year’s Market were from Belfast or Northern Ireland.

3.3       As a result of the removal of the large screen, the Market organisers drew up a revised layout plan for this year’s Market.  This included the establishment of a Food Court area in the location previously occupied by the large screen.  This development has been welcomed by traders and shoppers.  It meant that visitors could circulate more easily as there was dedicated seating space for the Food Court.  There was also a small performance space with regular performances from local musicians at peak times.

3.4       As part of their contractual obligations to the Council, MPE must undertake a bi-annual economic impact survey to assess the economic value of the Market in terms of visitor spend and contribution to the wider city economy.

3.5       While MPE are not due to undertake their economic impact survey until after the 2018 Christmas Market, they have undertaken some evaluation based on engagement with a sample of traders and visitors.  Traders reported that trade increased by 5% on the previous year.  They also remarked on an apparent increase in coach tour business – particularly during the week.  Finally, traders noted an increase in the number of overseas visitors this year – many of whom also appeared to be visiting the Market as part of an organised tour.

3.6       visitors to the Market commented most regularly on the improved layout, the range of new traders and the additional provision for children, including the Helter Skelter.  Almost 1000 school children and young adults took part in the Christmas Market Educational Tours which were provided free of charge.

3.7       Markets are traditionally a good platform for traders who are starting out in business.  The Market experience provides an invaluable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to:

-       Update Members on the key recommendations from the Review of Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM) which was independently completed by consultants Baker Tilly Mooney Moore;

-       Approve an approach to support BCCM in their transition towards a commercial model; and

-       Consider resource and project planning implications of the proposed transition on the Council.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1      Members are asked to:

-       Note the findings of the independent review undertaken by Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Consultants and the planned transition by BCCM towards a commercial model;

-       Provide core funding of £95,000 to Belfast City Centre Management and up to £30,000 to cover Project Management costs and technical expertise within the 2018/19 financial year;

-       Note that throughout the transition period, dependent on need, the Council may enter into Service Level Agreements (SLAs) / commercial agreements with BCCM to ensure service continuity throughout the transition period, subject to normal procurement procedures.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

            The review focused on Belfast City Centre Management’s (BCCM) Business Plan, its operating model and its alignment to Belfast’s strategic and operational context.  Baker Tilly Mooney Moore consultants completed the review reporting to a Steering Group with representation from BCCM, Belfast City Council, Department for Communities (DfC) and Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce (BCTC).  The key recommendation advocates for BCCM to adopt a self-financing/income generating model. 

3.2       A robust approach was undertaken to complete the review including consultations with 85 key stakeholders, international city comparisons (Auckland, Copenhagen, Stockholm) and considerable desk research of approaches in other locations and current research and thinking on City Centre Development models.  The consultants also undertook an organisational review and analysis including value for money and definition of remit, role and City Centre Management Services across a number of organisations. As part of the review process, Party Group Briefings were held and there was broad agreement around the key findings and recommendations.

3.3       Overview of Key Findings

            The initial findings of the review, which were accepted by all parties, including BCCM Board were:

-       The city landscape and operating environment has changed significantly with the Council heavily involved in the development of the City Centre and taking a much more proactive role in this work;

-       The strategic context has also changed with the introduction of new policies and strategies guiding city centre design, management and development;

-       BCCM provides a good co-ordination role and is well connected to parts of the City Centre.  Staff are well engaged and enthusiastic about their roles and the BCCM offer, however there may be a need for a new skills set to deliver the services required in the future.  There is a sense that BCCM’s relevancy is less than it could or should be and the value of some of its services does not add sufficient value to the City Centre development or management;

-       The emergence of Business Improvement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7c

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

            The City Events Manager outlined to the Committee that Belfast City Marathon Limited (Ltd.) had advised the Council of its proposed changes to the city’s marathon course and for the event to be staged on a Sunday, instead of May Day, from 2019 onwards.

            He reminded the Members that Belfast City Marathon Ltd. was a free-standing, legally constituted organisation which had no legal connection to the Council other than funding arrangements.  He explained that the Council funded the Marathon through the City Events Unit’s budget, where the contribution for the 2018 event was £26,000.

            He reported to the Committee that, over the last 36 years, the marathon had used various routes throughout the City and, given its increased popularity, that there had been calls from the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce for the Marathon to be held on a Sunday.  He explained that the recent request for the event to be moved to a Sunday was due to the level of traffic disruption created on what was now an important day in the retail calendar.

            The City Events Manager advised the Members that a new route had also been proposed for the marathon, which included key iconic locations across the city.

            He explained that the Belfast City Marathon Ltd had requested the Council’s support for the new route and the change of day which would see the event taking place on Sunday, 5th May, 2019 and then annually on the Sunday of the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

            It was highlighted to the Committee that Belfast City Marathon Ltd intended to consult widely on the proposed new course and on the move to a Sunday.  He advised that the consultation would include stakeholders and the various places of worship which would be affected by the new course both directly and indirectly.

            The City Events Manager outlined that Belfast City Marathon Ltd had advised that the timeframe in which to develop and deliver the proposed changes would need to be implemented 12 months in advance of the 2019 event taking place.

            During discussion, a number of Members expressed concerns in relation to the proposed new route, particularly that the Ormeau Road had been almost entirely removed.  A number of Members stated that the change would have a detrimental economic impact on the traders along the Ormeau Road, which had historically been an area of the course with a high number of supporters.  A further Member stated that the route within the north of the city was disappointing.

            In relation to the proposed change of day, a Member expressed some concerns in relation to the number of churches which would be impacted along the route.  He stated that there were other churches which were not listed within the report which would need to be consulted about the proposed changes to the day and the route.

            A number of Members suggested that Belfast City Marathon Ltd. be invited in to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

            The Director of City Centre Development advised the Members that a second Workshop, which was proposed to be held on 28th March, was no longer deemed necessary and that, instead, it was proposed that the Workshop which was scheduled for 21st February would incorporate all elements of the Committee Plan for 2018/2019, including a focus on Employability and Skills as previously agreed.

The Committee agreed to the course of action as outlined.