Agenda and minutes

An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor Beattie.

            The minutes of 7th March 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 April.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

The Committee agreed to invite representatives of the Belfast Healthy Cities to present at a future meeting of the Committee on its work programme in relation to the 2016 World Health Organisation International Cities Conference. 

            The Assistant Director advised that, at the meeting of the Strategic Cemetery and Crematorium Development Working Group held on 6th March, the following key issues had been considered:

·        update on the Memorial Inspection Programme;

·        update on the trial use of shoring to address subsidence at Roselawn Cemetery;

·        charity nomination for the distribution of money received from the recycling of metals; and

·        update on the rising cost of funerals, to include a benchmarking exercise in regard to the provision of municipal funerals.

      The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group held on 6th April 2017.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To update Members on proposals to evaluate the Age-friendly Belfast Plan 2014-2017 and to produce an improvement plan for the period 2018-2021.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note and agree;

·        Proposals to evaluate the Age-friendly Belfast Plan 2014-2017 and produce an improvement plan for the period 2018 -2021.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       In March 2012 the Lord Mayor signed a declaration formally committing Belfast to become a World Health Organisation (WHO) Age-friendly City. This effectively committed the City to a continuous improvement cycle, involving older people, of planning, implementation and evaluation to better meet the needs of an ageing population.  A three year action plan and progress report must be submitted to WHO for review at the start and end of the process respectively.

3.2       On 1st June 2012 it was agreed that the Belfast Strategic Partnership should provide the Governing Structure for the Age-friendly approach and support the Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership in a collaborative approach to deliver Age-friendly Belfast.

3.3       Since then the Council has played a leading role within the Belfast Strategic Partnership (BSP) and specifically its Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP) to honour that commitment. In March 2014 the Age-friendly Belfast plan 2014-2017 was launched and subsequently implemented with the vision Belfast will be a city where older people live life to the full.

3.4       The Council’s All Party Reference Group on Older People, currently chaired by Councillor Sonia Copeland, directs and oversees this work programme on behalf of the council.

3.5       As the Action Plan has reached the end of its implementation period, HASP must now complete an evaluation and summit a progress report to WHO together with a new three year action plan.

            Process and timeline for evaluation of progress and development of new 3 year Age-friendly Belfast plan

3.6       March to June 2017

1.     Review progress of action plan, indicator data and official statistics.

2.     Carry out a survey of a wide range of older people to seek their views on the city and identify priorities for action. The survey will be carried out online using Citizen Space and face to face using trained facilitators. Difficult to reach older people will be specifically targeted including carers, disabled, and those from the LGBT and BME communities. 

3.7       June 2017

            Use the information collected to update the age friendly baseline and hold a workshop with service providers, older people and other partners to identify and discuss priorities and actions required over the period of the next three year plan.

            This will also allow a one year interim plan to be agreed to maintain progress.

3.8       July - October 2017

            The Draft Age-friendly Belfast plan 2018-2021 will be developed alongside additional consultation and commitments from Stakeholders. The Draft Action Plan will be presented to the All Party Reference Group on Older People and Committee for consideration and comment. It will also be presented at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2b

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update Committee on the main activities of Council’s Youth Forum (YF) and, in particular, present the YF report into young people’s views on poverty in Belfast.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Committee is asked to:

·        Note the ongoing work programme for the BCC Youth Forum

·        Consider and endorse the Youth Forum ‘It’s not a choice: Poverty in Belfast’ report including key findings and recommendations and

·        Support the planned launch and related publicly on 10th May 2017. 

3.0       Main Report

            Youth Forum Recruitment

3.1       Young people on the BCC Youth Forum (YF) serve a 2 year term.  In June the 2016-18 recruitment process was completed with over 100 young people applying and taking part in taster sessions and interviews in order to be selected as YF members.  A total of 40 young people were selected to join the YF (4 young people per DEA).  A successful celebration event with the Lord Mayor to mark the end of the previous term for the 2014-16 members and to welcome the new members and their families took place in Sept 2016.

            Youth Forum Induction

3.2       Since September our new young people have been settling in and learning about their new role.  During their induction from Sept-Dec 2016, they explored the following areas with BCC staff:

·        Team building and getting to know each other;

·        Meeting with young people from across the city to hear their issues and what they would like the YF to work on and bring forward to Council;

·        Vision for next 2 years for the YF;

·        ‘Rights in Action’: Using Human Rights to create change where you live;

·        The powers of local and regional government;

·        Community Planning & the Belfast Agenda;

·        Council Structures and decision making ;

·        How to engage effectively with Councillors and decision makers.

3.3       Young people also held their first full forum meeting in the Council Chamber and met with the Lord Mayor as part of their induction. 

            ‘What you say matters’ Young People’s Conference

3.4       In 2015 our Youth Forum helped Children’s Law Centre to gather the views of 900 young people from NI on the changes needed to improve their lives.  These views were turned into a report called ‘Our Lives in Our Words,’ which was presented to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN) in Geneva.  In June 2016, based on the findings in the young people’s report, the UN Committee made recommendation to the NI Executive.  Their recommendations reflected the young people’s report which highlighted a need for:

·        Better mental health provision for young people;

·        An end to discrimination against young people in community life and leisure experiences;

·        An improved knowledge and understanding of Rights;

·        Greater levels of meaningful participation from young people in decision making both at community and government level.

3.5       The YF wanted to bring young people together to discuss what each of the themes above meant to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2c

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Members will be aware that Council made £700,000 available from the Capital Programme to install alleygates across the city (Phase 4 Alleygates).

1.2       Proposed gate locations were discussed and agreed at Area Working Groups and approved by Council on 4 July 2016. 

1.3       Members will also be aware that the legislative authority for introducing gating Orders transferred to local Councils through the commencement of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 on 4th May 2011.

1.4       The 2011 Act inserts new Part 6A (Articles 69A to 69E) into the 1993 Order. These new provisions allow action to be taken quickly, easily and with a degree of flexibility not previously available. District councils are now able to make, vary or revoke gating orders in respect of relevant roads (as defined in Article 69A(5) of the 1993 Order) affected by crime or ASB within their area, permitting a gate to be installed at each end of the road. The orders are an effective way of enabling councils to restrict public access to any relevant road by gating it (at certain times of the day if applicable), without removing its underlying road status.

1.5       Councils however still require the approval of the Transport NI (‘DRD’) to:

a)     make a gating order; or

b)     vary a gating order so as to further restrict any public right of way over the road to which the order relates.

1.6       The required statutory and community consultation has been undertaken and the purpose of this report is to seek formal approval from Committee to make the Traffic Regulation Orders enabling these gates to be installed.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to agree;

·        To proceed to enact the Belfast City Council Traffic Regulation (North, South, East and West Belfast) Orders 2016 to commence the installation of alleygates as set out within the attached appendix.

3.0       Key Issues

3.1       The pre-consultation exercise with affected residents and Statutory bodies / service suppliers has been carried out and the Notice of Intention (formal consultation stage) was advertised on Friday 11th July.

3.2       One formal objection to the Traffic Regulation Orders was received in respect of proposed gates at Agincourt Avenue, questioning whether the installation of alleygates would make any difference to crime and anti-social behaviour in the area based on the objectors’ previous experience of alleygates in the area.

3.3       However, after consideration, Legal Services have recommended that alleygating can proceed at this location, as Council can be satisfied the requirements of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environments Act (2011) have been met in establishing that this area is affected by crime and anti-social behaviour.

3.4       Manufacture of the gates included in this Traffic Regulation Order will take place in April/May 2017 with installation commencing in summer 2017.

3.5       Ongoing work is taking place to resolve issues around the remaining proposed gate locations approved by Council in 2016.

3.6       Additionally, some savings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

The Director of City and Neighbourhood Services drew the Members’ attention to the proposed dates for two consultation events that had been organised in conjunction with the Department of Justice (DoJ) to provide an opportunity for local residents to have input in the design of the new play facility for Navarra Place.

            He detailed that the consultation would focus on the following:

·        lay-out of the park;

·        equipment and facilities for the park, including a potential MUGA; and

·        the potential ‘designing-out’ of the interface fence.

            The Committee was advised that the consultation would also be available on the Council’s consultation portal for feedback between the dates of 28th March and 16th April.  Residents and stakeholders would be identified and invited to attend with the assistance of the IFI Peacewalls Programme funder Greater Whitewell Community Surgery Group.

            The Members noted the proposed dates for the consultation events regarding the redevelopment of the playground at Navarra Place/White City, as follows:

·        Wednesday 5th April in Hazelwood Primary School 3.00 -7.00 p.m.; and

·        Thursday 6th April in White City Community Centre 4.00 – 8.00 p.m.

The Committee was reminded that Belvoir Bowling Club had transferred to the Council from the former Castlereagh Borough Council (CBC) on the 1st April, 2015, under Local Government Reform.

            The Assistant Director reported that Balmoral Bowling Club had been established in 1943 and had played at Belvoir Bowling Green since 1982.  The Club had entered into a 99 year lease with CBC from 1st November, 1994 in respect of the land on which the pavilion was situated, subject to the payment of five pence per annum, if demanded.  Balmoral Bowling Club had subsequently constructed the bowling pavilion on this land.

            The Committee was advised that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed, at its meeting held on 23rd October, 2016, that the Council should enter into a 25 year lease agreement with Balmoral Bowling Club in respect of the bowling green.             

            The Committee noted that, under the terms of the lease agreement, Balmoral Bowling Club was responsible for the repair, maintenance and upkeep of the bowling green.  The Assistant Director advised that a recent inspection of the bowling green had been carried out by a turf consultant which had recommended that improvements should be made to the surface of the bowling green.  Whilst these works would not constitute ‘major surgery’ they would require a programme of good husbandry and grounds maintenance.     

            The Committee:

·        approved a separate Funding Agreement between the Council and Balmoral Bowling Club; and

·        noted that the Funding Agreement would provide Balmoral Bowling Club with a maximum of £15,000 over the first 3 years of the 25 year lease, to allow Balmoral Bowling Club, who would be responsible for the maintenance of the bowling green, to finance improvements over the 3 year period.

The Assistant Director reminded the Committee that the Council had previously agreed to fund the development of a mini soccer pitch with associated fencing and lighting at Springmartin under the first round of the Local Investment Programme.  She reported that, at the time, Springfield Star had agreed to manage and maintain the asset at no cost to the Council and had agreed to a 3 year lease period which had lapsed in September 2016.

            The Committee was advised that officers had met with a representative of the Trustees, who had indicated a willingness and desire to continue with a lease agreement for a further period of 3 years, with an option to renew the lease for a further 3 years. 

            The Committee agreed to extend the current lease agreement with the Trustees of Springfield Star for a period of 3 years, with an option to renew for a further 3 years, from the end date of the previous agreement, subject to the approval of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

The Assistant Director advised that Twinbrook Wildlife Park comprised of a 2.5 acre plot of open space / grassland which had transferred under Local Government Reform from Lisburn City Council on 1st April, 2015. She detailed that the land lay between the Summerhill Road and Creighton Road adjoining the Twinbrook housing estate.  Prior to the transfer it had been badly neglected, with little or no ground works, and there had been extensive evidence of fly tipping.  She reported that, following the transfer, Belfast City Council had completed Phase 1 of a refurbishment project which had provided surfaced walkways, along with landscaping and extensive planting at an estimated cost of £100,000.

            The officer reported that two adjoining plots of unused and overgrown grassland fronting Summerhill Road had been declared surplus to the requirements of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Transport NI.  In 2016, the Council had expressed an interest in acquiring these plots of 0.2 acres and 0.19 acres respectively.  Land and Property Services, acting on behalf of the landowners, had offered the land to the Council, subject to considerations of £7,000 and £6,800, which was considered to be fair and reasonable.

            The Committee was asked to note that Phase 2 of the Twinbrook Wildlife Park refurbishment project was proposing that these two plots of land would be incorporated to provide an integrated Wildlife Park, with improved access from Summerhill Road and Creighton Road. 

The Committee:

·        agreed to acquire the freehold interest in two plots of land that adjoined the Council owned Twinbrook Wildlife Park; and

·        noted that a report would be submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for approval in accordance with standing orders.

The Committee was reminded of proposals, as part of the Urban Villages Programme, to refurbish Marrowbone Millennium Park. 

            The Assistant Director advised that the park currently consisted of an artificial pitch, a temporary changing pavilion, a playground and a network of paths located within a landscaped area.  She highlighted that the playground had been subject to vandalism and anti-social behaviour over the years and that it was currently used as a gathering point, often attracting incidents of anti-social behaviour.  She reported that, during discussions with locally Elected Members and the PSNI, consideration had been given to the potential relocation of this playground to a more suitable location which would provide more natural surveillance and attract greater community ownership.  

            The Assistant Director sought approval for officers to explore potential locations in the area.  She advised that any such relocation would be dependent upon:

·        finding and securing a suitable location;

·        securing community support and agreement;

·        securing the necessary statutory approvals; and

·        affordability.

            The Committee authorised officers to explore options regarding the most suitable location for a playground to serve the community around Marrowbone Millennium Park.

(Mr. T. Walker, Head of Waste Management, attended in connection with this item).

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on the issues surrounding public toilets and seek strategic direction in relation to the Hope Street facility.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

1.     Note the contents of the report, and

2.     Approve that Waste Management informs the contractor of its intention to terminate the Hope Street, Automatic Public Convenience (APC) contract in line with the contract terms and conditions (i.e. 6 months before contract end date of July 2018).

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware that Waste Management is responsible for the management of the 14 public toilets within Belfast.  The public toilet estate is comprised of 7 traditional toilets, 6 Automatic Public Toilets (APCs) which require payment of a twenty pence fee to access (20p) and 1 retractable urinal at Shaftesbury Square, which supports the night time economy.  Details of these facilities are contained in the recently updated promotional leaflet which is distributed by a network of Council and partner organisations (e.g. Belfast Visitor & Welcome Centre, Libraries NI - Public Toilets in Belfast (Locations & Opening Times)).

            Loo of the Year Awards, 2016

3.2       Members may recall that the Council is assessed each year by the British Toilet Association (BTA) regarding the standard of its public toilets.  The BTA is the main organisation promoting and improving standards in ‘away from home’ public toilets in the UK.  Its activities include raising awareness of public toilets and recognising good practice through the national ‘Loo of the Year Awards’ which are sponsored by private companies and local tourist boards.

3.3       At the awards ceremony in December 2016, the Council gained the following recognition for its public toilet provision:

·        Overall National Award winner for Public Toilets

·        Attained ‘Champions League’ – Standard of Excellence

·        Winetavern Street toilets – National award winner for non-attended toilets

·        Antrim Road APC – National Award winner for Automatic Public Toilets

·        Seventh position (up one position on previous year) in the Local Authority Public Toilets ‘Premier League’

3.4       As well as the above accolades, the Council entered 12 public toilets in the various award categories and all 12 scored platinum, the highest level possible.  In addition, the public toilets in the City Hall picked up an award for the best ‘Town Hall’ toilets.  Further details on the Loo of the Year awards are available online at http://www.loo.co.uk/250/2016-National-Award-Winners

            Anti-Social Behaviour

3.5       Over recent years the main unwanted activity experienced at the Council’s public toilets, and in particular APCs, has been the increase in the prevalence of drug related material discarded or deposited in the units.  This is in line with the increasing trend of drug use in society as frequently reported in the media.  In November 2016, the BBC reported that the Public Health Agency ‘  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

            The Community Development Manager advised that a number of changes to the approved Member representation on the Community and Play Centre Committees had recently been received and she drew the Members’ attention to the revised list. 

            The Committee approved the revised list of appointees to the Community and Play Centre Committees, subject to the list being updated to reflect the following changes in membership:

·        the replacement of the former Councillor McNamee with Councillor O’Neill on Knocknagoney Community Centre; and

·        the replacement of the former Councillor Bradshaw with Councillor Nicholl on the Olympia Community Centre.

(Mrs. C. Taggart, Community Development Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1        To provide an outline of progress to committee on the Girdwood Community Hub.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note progress to date

·        Consider the request for political representative on the Girdwood Community Forum.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       The Girdwood site in north Belfast has been transformed into a state of the art shared space community hub which offers first-class leisure, community and education facilities.  The project, which has a total value of £20 million with significant income via the EU’s PEACE III Programme, has been developed in partnership with the Girdwood Hub Forum.

3.2       The Community Hub and Pitch is the first step in the wider regeneration of Girdwood Park, a 14 acre site located between Crumlin Road and Cliftonpark Avenue.  The hub is part of Council’s Investment Programme and also ties in with plans to transform our leisure services over the next decade.

            Community Participation:

3.3       The Girdwood Community Forum was set up by Belfast City Council in 2011 to work in partnership with Council in delivering the Girdwood Community Hub project as a centre for peace and reconciliation and a shared site. The Forum is a cross community body chaired by council and made up of over 20 groups from the surrounding area, representatives from the Department for Communities, Belfast MET, Newington Housing Association, PSNI and other key stakeholders.  There has been consistent and committed representation from those community groups who work around the Girdwood site.

3.4       Last year, Forum members agreed that given the change in stage of some of the key elements of the project, that is to post construction, it would be timely to review the terms of reference and the membership to ensure clarity of roles and responsibility and effective engagement.  The review was supported with external facilitation, initially from Stratagem and then by Stellar Leadership.  At each stage of the process the recommendations were amended to reflect stakeholder comment.  A final draft proposal, which summarised the conversation to date and outlined proposals to refresh the community engagement arrangements, was formally considered by the Forum at their meeting in Feb 2017.

3.5       The paper proposes two focused structures – one with a Girdwood Park planning remit and the other with a Girdwood Hub & Pitches delivery remit.  This proposal reflects the need to retain the identified best practice of the Forum while also addressing the need for an operational group to address the ‘day to day’ aspects of the Facility which is managed by GLL. 

3.6       While some community members raised concerns around the potential to dilute the role of the Forum, the formal community feedback supported a need for an operational group to co-ordinate the work of the various operational partners within the Girdwood Community Hub. They indicated that any such group would report back to the Girdwood Community Forum to record  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4c

The Committee considered a report which set the Council’s policy position in respect of the provision of containers for storage of machinery, materials and equipment.    

            The Assistant Director advised that containers would normally be acquired when the Council determined a need to provide safe and secured storage for machinery and / or equipment required for the operation of a facility.

            The Committee was asked to note that the proposed policy did not relate to requests for containers to be used as temporary dry changing facilities and meeting rooms.  It also did not relate to requests from a third party sports club or other organisation in relation to machinery, materials , machinery and equipment acquired or used by a third party (and not provided by the Council).    

The Committee agreed that:

·        where containers were required by Council in the operation of a facility that the Council would provide a container;

·        where containers were required or requested by a third party the Council would not provide such but would consider granting permission for the third party to provide containers; and

·        a protocol document would be prepared based on the report and be used to inform future decisions.

The Committee was reminded that it had previously approved the delivery of home safety assessments for older people through the Bryson Energy Handy Person Service.

            The Assistant Director reported that that the scheme had now been operational for 2 years at a cost in the region of £34,377 per annum.  She advised that the funding for this scheme had been provided by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the scheme had been managed by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT).  Following a procurement exercise, Bryson Energy had been awarded the contract to carry out the home safety checks and repairs.

            The Committee was reminded also that it had previously approved an additional financial contribution from the Council of £10,000 towards the scheme.  This money was used to discount the cost of additional repairs requested by the householder during the home safety checks.

            The officer reported that the pilot had now came to an end and the partners had agreed that, given the benefit the service provided to the citizens of Belfast, it should continue long term.  She advised that the current service contract had been extended for a further 12 months to allow for the future development of the project to be finalised.  In addition, the partners had also requested if the Council would consider procuring and managing the service.

            The Assistant Director advised that between the period of April and February 2017, 436 home safety checks, 117 repair hours (PHA) and 212 additional repair hours (Belfast City Council) had been carried out/undertaken and overall there had been very positive feedback on the scheme.

            The Committee agreed:

·        that from April 2018 the Council would procure and manage the Home Safety Check and Repair Service on behalf of its partners; and

·        to continue supporting the Belfast Handyperson Scheme and approved a financial contribution of £10,000 to the scheme for the financial year 2017/2018 from existing budgets.

            The Director advised that a request had been received from Christian Aid seeking permission to use Cathedral Gardens from 9.00 a.m. on Friday, 12th May until 2.00 p.m. on Saturday, 13th May.  He explained that the event aimed to show solidarity with refugees across Europe and the Middle East who were forced to sleep out every night.

            The Members were advised that this event would require the closure of all or a substantial proportion of the site and would involve Christian Aid supporters erecting tents and sleeping out overnight on-site.  In addition to the small camp, a larger tent would be erected.  This would contain an exhibition highlighting Christian Aid’s work with refugees in Lebanon, Iraq, Greece and Serbia.

            The Committee approved the Christian Aid Event at Cathedral Gardens, subject to the completion of the appropriate Event Management Plans and satisfactory terms being agreed by the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services and on condition that:

·        the Event Organiser meets all statutory requirements, including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety and licensing responsibilities; and

·        the Event Organiser consults with adjoining public bodies, the local community and the PSNI as necessary. 

            The Committee authorised the attendance of the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services and up to two relevant officers to attend the CIWM National Conference in London from 27th – 28th June.

The Committee approved:

·        The naming in respect of Haddo Place, Haddo Crescent, and Haddo Lane, off Lady Ishbel Avenue, BT8; and

·        the continuation of existing streets in the City , namely, Lady Ishbel Avenue, off Hospital Road, BT8.

            The Committee considered again the following report which had been deferred at its meeting held on 7th March 2017:

Appendix 1

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       This report outlines a series of proposed outdoor events, delivered by large arts organisations, in partnership with the Council.  Each event will require the closure of all or a substantial proportion of the facility.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Agree to review events in Parks and Open Spaces as part of the city-wide events framework, in line with the corporate strategic review of events and festivals, and the programme of work for the European Capital of Culture bid;

·        Approve the series of partnership events as set out below, including funding requested, the closure of facilities as required for the set-up, delivery and take-down of the events, resolving all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

·        Agree that the appropriate legal agreements for each programme, including bond arrangements are prepared to the satisfaction of the Town Solicitor;

·        Agree that Event Organisers are required to meet all statutory requirements and responsibilities including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, Food Safety and licensing (including for the sale of alcohol, where required);

·        Agree the timely payment of the agreed charges and bonds as required in the legal agreements; and

·        Agree that Event Organisers shall consult with public bodies and local communities as necessary.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Over the past 5 years, the Council has established successful partnership arrangements with the Belfast Festival, Feile an Phobail and Belfast Mela.  These type of events are well-received by audiences and significantly add to the attractiveness of the Council’s parks and open spaces. 

3.2       The partnership has delivered a diverse range of events which have had wide appeal for local communities, as well as attracting significant numbers of tourists and visitors to Council assets.  Last year, these partnerships delivered events in North (Girdwood), West (Falls/City Cemetery), South (Botanic) and City Centre (City Hall).

3.3       In February, the City Growth and Regeneration Committee gave approval for the Council to explore the potential for a bid to become the UK host for the 2023 European Capital of Culture.  As part of this, a diverse high quality programme of events will be developed, with the support of city stakeholders.  It is clear that this developing programme would be an excellent opportunity to showcase the city’s parks and open spaces.  It is therefore proposed that it is timely for officers to initiate a review of this particular series of partnership events in parks, with a view to streamlining within a corporate approach as agreed by the City Growth and Regeneration Committee.  It is anticipated that this review would be complete in time for the 2018/19 programme of events, to be brought to People and Communities Committee for its consideration in due course.

            Proposals for 2017

3.4       Following discussions with the 3 existing partners, a series of events has been proposed for the incoming season:

·        Belfast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To provide an update on the Community Development Grants Programme funding allocation based on the interim financial contract arrangements with the Department for Communities.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

·        Note the limited offer of Community Support Grant income from DfC and agree to;

                                                    i.     extend existing grant contracts to 30 June 2017 to organisations in receipt of Generalist Advice, Capacity and Community Building Revenue grants;

                                                  ii.     extend existing contracts to non-grant support organisations to 30 June 2017; and

                                                 iii.     progress small grants contracts for Summer scheme and project grants.

            A further report will be presented to Committee when we receive information from DfC regarding future allocation of funding.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Overview

            In the absence of the Budget Act, the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance has released interim funding.  Council has received its Letter of Offer from the Department for Communities noting an allocation of £351,000 to cover the period 01 April to 30 June 2017.  This inhibits Council from offering 12month contracts to organisations and may impact on the implementation of the Small Grants element of our grants programme.

3.2       Council has agreed a budget of £3,061,979.21 towards the delivery of the Community Development Grants Programme 2017/18.  The budget is made up from the following sources of funding;

-       £1,404,000 from the Department for Communities under the Community Support Programme,

-       £1,657,979.20 from Council

3.3       The Community Development Grants Programme contains the following grant Categories:

-       Generalist Advice

-       Capacity Support

-       Community Buildings Revenue

-       Small Grants (inc Summer Scheme and Community Development Project Grants)

3.4       The Revenue budget also covers our non grant support for the sector via current financial support arrangements with organisations who deliver services on our behalf across the city in respect of;

-       Independently managed community centres

-       Anchor Tenants and

-       Service Level Agreement with Play Resource Warehouse

3.5       In February 2017, committee agreed that officers would advise Community Development Grant supported organisations that funding contracts will be offered pending Council’s receipt of funding from DfC.

3.6       Department for Communities Funding Allocation

            Members will be aware that in the absence of a Budget Act, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance will use powers assigned to him under Section 59 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to release cash to departments on an interim basis and until such times as a Budget is agreed by Ministers and Budget legislation is put in place.

3.7       Council received its Letter of Offer (LOO) towards the Community Support Programme from the Department for Communities on 30 March 2017.  The LOO covers the limited 3 month period from the 01 April to 30 June 2017:  an allocation of £351,000.   This is an emergency response and when a budget is set by Ministers, further funding decisions will then be made.  While this is temporary fix, it is critical to sustaining organisations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a