Agenda and minutes

            An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor Canavan.

            It was reported that the minutes of 12th March had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 8th April, subject to the following amendments:

XL Bully Restrictions announced

by DAERA Minister

            At the request of Councillor Flynn, the Council agreed to write to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to enquire as to what impact the legislation would have on local councils and animal welfare charities, and what resources would be allocated to deal with those impacts.

Blanchflower Stadium –

Preferential Use Agreement

            The Council agreed that the Committee’s decision, that officers would look to work with local community-based football clubs to develop an allocation model which was fair and equitable for all users, to ensure that all clubs would get fair access to pitches throughout the week, would be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.  As this is subject to call-in it will be considered at the May meeting of Committee.

Requests for Events in Parks

            The Council agreed that the Committee’s decision to grant authority to the applicant for the proposed Finaghy Cultural Festival would be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for reconsideration.

            The minutes of the meetings of 12th March were taken as read and signed as correct, subject to additions/amendments as outlined above.

            Councillors Doherty and M. Donnelly declared an interest in agenda item 3 (e) Social Supermarkets 2024/25 as they worked for organisations that had applied for funding and they removed themselves from the meeting during consideration of the agenda item.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following item 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 meeting during discussion of the following  item 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.

            The Members were advised that content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which takes place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.  

            (Mr. J. McConnell, City Services Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director OSSS and Resources and Fleet provided the Members with an update on the progress made regarding the planning and launch of a pilot scheme to challenge inappropriate parking in streets that had been identified across the city, this was a collaborative scheme with the Council, the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). 

            The Committee was reminded that it was the intention, via the initiative, to introduce targeted measures in identified areas where parking was of particular concern in relation to the Council Waste Collection Services being able to collect bins on the day of collection.  Following liaison with the various stakeholders, a launch date of the 6th May had been agreed, and the Members were provided with an overview of the proposed measures, areas to be targeted and a timeline for the pilot.

            The Committee was advised that the plan would involve:

·        an 18-month rolling and overlapping plan of education and enforcement;

·        6 target areas covering between 60 and 70 streets;

·        each area being targeted three times over the 18 months for a period of 6 weeks each time;

·        an agreed media and comms exercise in relevant areas and potentially across the city;

·        raising awareness through lettering of both residents and owners of illegally parked cars; and

·        joint and coordinated PSNI / DFI enforcement through Neighbourhood Policing Teams and DFI mobile enforcement units.

            The Members noted that a communications plan had been compiled to ensure that the pilot was shared on the relevant social media platforms and also directly with the residents of the specific streets to be targeted.

            Following discussion during which several queries were addressed by the Director, the Committee agreed the operational roll out of the plan, the accompanying communications plan, and the commencement date of 6th May for the pilot.

The Committee was advised that, under the terms of the leisure contract between the Council and GLL, GLL was required to provide an Annual Business Improvement Plan for the following year.  This report had previously been presented through the Active Belfast Limited. 

The Members noted that, as the contract was now under direct Council control, this and future annual service reports would be presented through the People and Communities Committee.

            During discussion clarification was sought on the following matters and it was agreed that the Committee would be updated in due course:

·        whether there was an intention to extend the installation on EV charging points to more leisure centres in the city;

·        when the café at Templemore Baths would be reopening as there was currently only a vending machine option; 

·        how many summer scheme places were allocated through the leisure centres in the city; and

·        how the placement and location of university placement students was agreed. 

            The Committee noted the annual GLL 2024 Business Improvement Plan available here.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            To provide members with the annual update for 2023 on community engagement and underrepresented group focused promotional activity.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are requested:

            To consider and record receipt of the information provide below and at Appendices 1 and 2 attached.  CNS officers will be in attendance to respond to any queries raised by members.

3.0       Main Report

            Background

3.1       Under the terms of the leisure contract between BCC and GLL, GLL is required to provide an annual report on community engagement initiatives for the preceding year.  This annual service reports will be presented through the People and Communities committee.

            GLL is a leading social enterprise. One of GLL’s core priorities is to ensure full access for all members of the community and to encourage more people to be more active, more often.  CNS works closely with GLL to encourage community outreach and regular participation amongst traditionally underrepresented target groups.

            GLL employ a Regional Business Manager (RBM), whose key focus is to drive participation and usage, ensuring more people from every background are regularly and meaningfully engaged and taking part in sport and physical activity. 

            In support of this the RBM manages a team of three Community Sport Officers, a team of ten Health Officers and one Group Exercise Coordinator.  All members of the team have work programmes designed to deliver on strategic objectives with a focus to increase participation in both the mainstream and underrepresented groups.

            GLL is committed to support community access offering varied opportunities delivered in centres that are accessible, affordable, and non-inhibiting.

            GLL re-invests through the GLL Sport Foundation that provides and sustains support for talented individuals.

            53% of Belfast GLL members benefit from concessionary charges thereby helping to remove affordability as a barrier to participation.

3.2       Outcomes and proposals

            Sport National Governing Body (NGB) and Club Programmes

            GLL continue to support a number of Sport NGBs in the delivery of their holiday programmes, grassroots events and performance programmes.  Holiday camps were delivered by the Irish FA and Ulster Badminton.  In addition to this GLL worked with Peace Players International. British Fencing and Ulster Boxing in the delivery of coaching workshops throughout the summer months.

            All Ireland water polo league events are hosted regularly at Lisnasharragh LC and the venue has also hosted a number of Ulster Swimming Galas.  Ulster Boxing competitions are regularly welcomed to centres including Girdwood CH, Ballysillan LC, Brook LC and Whiterock LC.  Shankill LC hosts the Northern Ireland Futsal Federation league for both males and females and in the Autumn, began hosting Northern Ireland Fencing competitions.  NGBs regularly deliver coach education courses at BCC leisure centres.

            BCC leisure centres, programmed by GLL, host over 200 local sports clubs and performance squads.  Leisure centres in Belfast are utilised for club and performance training and service a variety of local and regional competitions.  Gaelic games, boxing, fencing, football, futsal, rugby, tennis, table tennis, cricket, basketball, baseball, netball, softball,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

            The Committee was advised that, under the terms of the leisure contract between the Council and GLL, GLL was required to provide an Annual Service Report for the preceding year.  This report had previously been presented through the Active Belfast Limited.  The Members noted that, as the contract was now under direct Council control, this and future annual service reports would be presented through the People and Communities Committee.

            The Committee noted the Annual GLL Service Report for 2023 available here.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to inform members of the launch of a public consultation by DAERA on ‘Rethinking Our Resources: Measures for Climate Action and a Circular Economy in NI’

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Members are requested to:

·        note the contents of the report,

·        agree the upcoming workshop to formulate a Belfast City Response on the key items within the consultation.

·        Agree to support a request via the Council Waste Forum for a time extension to consider a full and proper response to the consultation.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       On 7th March. 2024, The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published a consultation titled ‘Rethinking Our Resources: Measures for Climate Action and a Circular Economy in NI’ seeking views of key stakeholders

3.2       DAERA stated that the purpose of the consultation is to work towards meeting legal requirements and the statutory targets contained within the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 and the Waste and Contaminated Land Order (NI) 1997.

3.3       DAERA stated that they wanted to hear the views of stakeholders on proposals designed to improve the quality and quantity of household and non-household municipal recycling, reduce food waste, and cut landfill rates with a view to developing policy options.

3.4       They noted that the consultation also covered proposals on the implementation of recycling for businesses, (also known as the non-household municipal sector), which is now included in the legal definition of municipal waste in legislation through amendments made by the Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendments) Regulations (NI) 2020. DAERA have positioned this consultation in relation the relevant legislative context as follows;

            ‘The EU Circular Economy Package (CEP), which the UK committed to prior to EU exit, was transposed into domestic legislation in December 2020 via the Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020. This amended the content of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and introduced a range of targets including a municipal waste recycling target of 65% by 2035 (with interim targets of 55% by 2025 and 60% by 2030) and municipal waste landfill target of 10% or less by 2035. 

3.5       This legislation also extended the definition of ‘municipal waste’, to include waste collected from sources other than households where the waste is similar in nature and composition. This means that most businesses, public sector and third sector organisations are now in scope of this revised definition.  In addition to these targets, we also have a new recycling target arising from the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which requires Northern Ireland to achieve a 70% waste recycling rate by 2030’.

3.6       This consultation has been much anticipated by those involved in Waste Management.  Since publication, BCC officers have been reading and understanding the content of the consultation. It is their view that this is potentially the most important consultation in relation to the future collection recycling and treatment of waste for many years. The findings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

            (Ms. N. Lane, Neighbourhood Services Manager, and Ms. M. Higgins, Lead Officer Community Provision, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the outcome of the recent open call for applications to the Social Supermarket Fund. 

            The Members were advised that, subsequent to the report being issued, the Department for Communities had since released £104,000 of the funding, this was on a 25% basis.

            The Members discussed at length options to enable payments to be made to organisations as quickly as possible, however, following discussion:

            The Committee agreed to defer the report to the April meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources to enable officers to prepare additional information in advance of the meeting and also agreed to write to the Department for Communities to reiterate the need for funding to be made available to Councils and to highlight the essential services that Social Supermarkets offered to local communities and to seek additional funding. 

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1             The Committee is asked to note that Council has received several requests from event organisers to host events across several city park locations in 2024 and these include.

·        Live at C.S. Lewis Square – C.S. Lewis Square

·        Outdoor Church Service – Waterworks Park, Woodvale Park and Marrowbone

·        Twilight Walk – Barnetts Demesne

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to grant authority to the applicant for the proposed event on the dates noted and to delegate authority to the Director of Neighbourhood Services to ensure the following:

                                          I.          If appropriate negotiate a fee which recognises the costs to Council, minimises negative impact on the immediate area and takes account of the potential wider benefit to the city economy, in conjunction with the Councils Commercial Manager.

                                         II.          Negotiate satisfactory terms and conditions of use via an appropriate legal agreement prepared by the City Solicitor, including managing final booking confirmation dates and flexibility around ‘set up’ & take down’ periods, and booking amendments, subject to:

Ø  The promoter resolving any operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction.

Ø  The promotor carrying out appropriate resident & community engagement

Ø  The promoter meeting all the statutory requirements of the Planning and Building Control Service including the terms and conditions of the Park’s Entertainment Licence.

            Please note that the above recommendations are taken as a pre-policy position in advance of the Council agreeing a more structured framework and policy for ‘Events’, which is currently being taken forward in conjunction with the Councils Commercial team.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Key Issues

3.2       If agreed, the event organiser or promoters will be required in advance of the event to submit an event management plan for approval by the Council and all relevant statutory bodies. This will include an assessment of how the event will impact upon the surrounding area and measures to mitigate these impacts.

3.3       Live at C.S. Lewis Square – C.S. Lewis Square – Thursday 25 to Monday 29 July

3.4       Belfast City Council has received a request from Eastside Arts to host a two-day music event followed by a free family funday at C.S. Lewis Square in July. The events are due to be part of this years upcoming East Side Arts Festival and will have a Live Band that will perform on the Friday night followed by an Electronic music event on the Saturday. Both of these events will be ticketed.

3.5       The funday on the Sunday will be a free event aimed at families to attend throughout the day. It will include arts & crafts along with market stalls.

3.6       The Key Dates are as follows:

            Set up - Thursday 25 July 2024 – 8 am onwards.

            Live Band - Friday 26 July 2024 – 7pm to 11pm

            Electronic Music - Saturday 27 July 2024 - 3pm to 11pm

            Family Funday - Sunday 28 July 2024 – 12pm to 4pm

            De-Rig - Monday 29 July 2023 – 12pm

3.7       Outdoor Church Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To update Members on an ongoing pilot static park warden initiative focused on addressing ASB in 3 park sites in the city.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to note the content of the report and to agree subject to budget to extend the pilot until the end of the September 2024 and to agree that Falls Park is included as an additional site for the pilot.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Belfast City Council have the responsibility to maintain and keep our public parks safe for citizens and accessible for all.

3.2       Members will recall that a report on ‘Anti-Social Behaviour within BCC Parks’ was tabled at People & Communities Committee on 10th January 2023 overviewing ASB in our Parks over a 3-year period.  This report set out mechanisms and roles responsible for reporting ASB and highlighted factors contributing to an inconsistent capturing of data on ASB resulting in limitations on data available in determining patterns and hotspots.

3.3       At Member’s request at this meeting a further report was tabled at P&C the following month (7th February 2023, entitled ‘Anti-Social Behaviour - update on previous interventions and initiatives in parks’, exploring a number of approaches successfully undertaken in our parks to alleviate ASB for potential future implementation, budget and resources depending. This included dedicated warden/attendant and animation in Dunville Park and Divis Back Path which encouraged community ownership of these parks.

3.4       Strategic Policy and Resource Committee on 24th March 2022 agreed to the reallocation of £220,254 to made available for the delivery of a ‘pilot project replicating model used in Dunville Park to reduce levels of ASB in parks’.  It was further noted that the resources should be directed to those parks in the city already identified at January P&C Committee as having hight levels of reported ASB – to include Dunville Park and Pairc Nui Chollan’ with additional parks to be included.

            ‘Static’ Park Warden Deployment

3.5       Members will be aware that Council’s existing Park Warden Teams are located in each quadrant of the city and carry out an important role in our parks and open spaces which are not limited to addressing ASB issues. They are deployed, as required, to provide a targeted response in parks with identified ASB issues during their working hours which reflect the standard ‘dawn to dusk’ opening hours of our parks.

3.6       Following risk assessment for the new warden roles, and recognition that posts were for a specific initiative to tackle ASB – it was confirmed that the pilot ‘static’ wardens must work in pairs at all times and as a result of this that the employment of a total of 6x wardens was possible, limiting the pilot to 3x park sites citywide.

3.7       Woodvale Park was added to Dunville Park and Pairc Nui Chollain as the focus for the pilot initiative.  Operational working hours for the new wardens were also agreed on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

The Committee agreed the erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at St Johns Avenue, Tullagh Park, Corrina Park, Orient Gardens, Brookvale Avenue, Oakhurst Avenue and Suffolk Crescent and agreed to defer consideration of the decision to erect a Dual Language Street Sign at Sunningdale Park North and Ben Madigan Park Southuntil those applications already received to date had been processed.

The Committee approved the applications for the naming of five new streets in the city, Blackthorn Place, Blackthorn Grove, Blackthorn Crescent, Black Ridge Drive and Black Ridge Grange

            Councillor Kelly agreed to submit an application seeking to have Suffolk Community Garden renamed through the Council’s normal procedure and officers advised that a report would be submitted to Committee in due course.

Councillor R. Brooks referred to the detrimental impact that derelict and dilapidated buildings were having on local communities, citing local examples in East Belfast.  In recognising the Council’s commitment made in the Belfast agenda to address dereliction it was agreed that the Council would write to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) urgently seeking the Minister to bring forward a Dilapidation Bill.

            At the request of Councillor de Faoite, it was agreed also to write to the Department of Finance and Department for Communities seeking the allocation of a package of funding to assist councils to more effectively tackle the problems associated with dilapidation.

            It was further agreed that officers would submit a report to a future meeting detailing the number of derelict buildings on arterial routes throughout the city.

At the request of Councillor Bunting, it was agreed that officers would submit a report to a future meeting providing an update in respect of communication boards which had previously been trialledin a number of Council parks.