Agenda and decisions

None Received.

Noted and agreed the range of economic development and employability activities to be developed and delivered in the coming months, taking account of the impact of COVID-19 on the plans which had originally been agreed by the Committee in March 2020.

It was noted that a response had been issued in respect of queries and suggestions received from the SDLP.

• Noted the recent engagement of the Chief Executive with the Northern Ireland Executive’s Committee for the Economy; and
• Noted the opportunities identified to enhance the partnership working with government departments to support an inclusive economic recovery and take a place-based approach to economic development in the future.

In respect of a query on the confidence mark – details had now been provided to Party Group Leaders.

Noted the following:

• The correspondence with the DfI, DfC and DfE Ministers.
• Party Group Leaders had met with the Minister for Infrastructure on the 2nd June in relation to active travel and social distancing measures;
• A meeting with Minister Hargey and Party Group Leaders would take place in the very near future;

• The Minister for Economy had been contacted via SOLACE in relation to funding for the safe re-opening of businesses and revitalisation of city centres in line with funding available in England as well as the refocusing of ERDF spend to support local businesses.

It was noted that the issue of an integrated funding package would continue to be ranked, as suggested by one party. 

• Noted the Minister of Infrastructure’s proposals as set out in the report in relation to social distancing measures and active travel in the context of a ‘green’ recovery;
• Noted the Council’s opportunity to work with DfI to identify opportunities and practical solutions and support officers working with DfI on this;
• Noted that the Council would revert with Members views and a collective proposition around short, medium and longer term interventions and solutions aligned to the Ministers ambitions, recognising that this would be an iterative process;
• Noted that the DfI and DfC Ministers had been asked to endorse the Bolder Vision Connectivity Study and commit to progressing the future phases and seek to embed the framework in Programme for Government; and
• Support the partnership project with Ulster University and DfI in relation to monitoring the social distancing measures to inform longer-term changes.

In respect of suggestions around incorporating good practice from other areas and also continued engagement with DFT.   Members are given assurance that this will happen.  In addition, this issue of poor active travel infrastructure in North and West Belfast would be taken into consideration.