Agenda and minutes

Apologies were reported on behalf of Alderman McCoubrey and Councillor Milne.

            The minutes of the meeting of 4th April and Special Meeting of 5th April were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 2nd May. 

            Several of the Members declared an interest in respect of agenda item 5, viz.

Parks Events Grants Scheme, as follows:

·        Councillor Magennis in that he was a member of the Sally Gardens management committee; and

·        Alderman Rodgers and Councillors Copeland and Newton who were members of the Board of the Lagan Village Youth and Community Group.

            The Committee agreed to invite representatives of Contact NI to present at a future meeting of the Committee on its campaign call for a Suicide Prevention Bill.

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of the Council on 2nd May, the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Attwood and seconded by Councillor Heading, had been referred to the Committee for consideration:

“This Council notes that the Affordable Warmth Scheme, administered by the Council, worth almost £1.2m a year, which offers low-income households grants, has been slashed in half due to the failure to agree a budget.

The Council agrees that this fund is vital to improve energy efficiency through measures such as loft insulation and replacement boilers.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to write to Department for Communities to express its deep concern about these cuts and calls upon that Department to fully restore the fund.”

            Councillor Heading emphasised the large number of vulnerable households currently in fuel poverty throughout Belfast and stressed the difficulties that these drastic cuts would have on the provision of this vital service. 

            The Assistant Director advised the Committee that during 2016-2017 the Service had completed 543 referrals to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and that the total value of approvals granted for the scheme had been £2,096,984.32.  In total 1372 measures had been installed and 646 homes improved within Belfast.

            The officer detailed that the scheme continued to receive a high volume of enquiries.  She advised that whilst the scheme was primarily targeted, there was 600 vulnerable households currently on the self-referral holding list and the team continued to triage these cases to try and ensure that the most vulnerable received help.

            The Committee noted that correspondence issued from the Department for Communities, on 29th March, 2017, had stated that the number of referrals that would be accepted by the NIHE had been reduced from 46 to 25 per month for each Council area.  The funding provided to the Council to enable it to deliver its part of the scheme had also been reduced from an average of £26,812 per quarter in 2016/17 to £13,575 for the first quarter in 2017/18.  A Member highlighted that this loss of funding had also not taken inflation into account. 

            The Committee recognised the exceptional difficulties presented as a direct result of the current political crisis and the ongoing uncertainty that this had created regarding

funding and explained that this had resulted in the Council having to reconsider staffing levels.  The officer detailed that, in an attempt to ensure continuity of service for the scheme, it had been agreed that staff would be retained during Quarter 1 to allow time for clarification to be provided from the Department for Communities.  However, it was stressed that failure to get a formal resolution could result in resources having to be reviewed.   

            The Committee noted the Notice of Motion and supplementary report and agreed to write to the Department for Communities regarding the current funding arrangements for the scheme and to seek clarification on future funding. 

            The Assistant Director advised that, at the meetings of the Strategic Cemetery and Crematorium Working Group held on 10th April and 3rd May, the following key issues had been considered:

·        update on a permanent Memorial to mark Plot Z1 in the City Cemetery;

·        update on the Memorial Management Policy;

·        update on the economic appraisal of future cremation facilities; and

·        update in respect of bereavement administration.

            A Member highlighted some of the ongoing issues and concerns around memorial safety inspection which was recognised as a sensitive issue.  He stressed the importance of ensuring that the public were kept informed of the process that was being undertaken and working with families to try and remedy headstones which had been identified as being unsafe.

            The Director of City and Neighbourhood Services concurred and advised that officers would be conducting exploratory discussions with sculptors in late May with a view to discussing set prices associated with undertaking both the erection of memorials and associated remedial works and trying to reduce the impact of any expense for families, he added that consideration would also be given to the current administration fee.  

            Discussion also ensued regarding the use of blue and white tape which was currently used to seal off unsafe memorials and asked officers to investigate if a more discrete alternative could be used. 

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group meetings held on 10th April and 3rd May 2017.

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 the Committee on discussions with Clarendon Development Association regarding the future management arrangements at Clarendon Playing Fields. 

2.0      Recommendations

2.1      The Committee is asked to;

·        Recommend to Strategic Policy and Resources that the Council enter into a Licence Agreement with Clarendon Development to permit the locating of the proposed building on Council land adjacent to the existing pitches and include with it access and key holding arrangements;

·        Agree to terminate the existing Facilities Management Agreement and to make a one off transition payment to the Club and agree to enter into a preferential use agreement as outlined at 3.11.

·        Agree to a one off transition payment to support the Association during the first year of the termination of the FMA.

·        Note that the SP&R Committee, at its meeting in May, is due to consider a proposal to move the redevelopment of the Clarendon pitch (development of a mini 3G pitch with floodlighting) to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme which if agreed will be a Council investment of approx. £450,000

·        Note that a wider update on the physical programme, including pitches, is due to be taken to Committee in June in the context of the local area asset planning for the consideration of Members

3.0      Main report

3.1      Clarendon Development Association has held a Facility Management Agreement for a number of years which ended on 31 October 2015.  Since that time, the agreement has been operating on a month by month basis in line with the terms and conditions of the FMA, i.e. the Association is responsible for bookings and undertakes routine maintenance for which they receive a maintenance fee and retain the booking income to be used for the betterment of the asset.  Members are reminded that previously Council decided to phase out FMAs when the legal agreement reached the expiration date.  Committee will also be aware that in 2015 a new initiative, Partner Agreements, was introduced to replace FMAs.  These arrangements are in their second year and will be reviewed at the end of the current season.  At present only 7 Partner Agreements have been entered into.

3.2      Council Officers have met with representatives from Clarendon Development Association who are aware that the FMA is being continued on a month by month basis.  The Association is also aware that it is the intention to terminate the agreement. 

3.3      The Association has indicated that it has previously, with Committee consent carried, out works to bring the facility to Intermediate League standard.  It has also provided storage facilities and purchased equipment to undertake the maintenance of the pitches at a cost of around £20,000. This work was funded by the Association and included pitch railings and dug outs.  The Association also has an application for funding with the Alpha Fund seeking funding to provide a wet room and kitchen area within the Pavilion.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

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 update the Committee on the request from Crumlin Star FC to upgrade facilities at Strangford Avenue Playing Fields to meet Intermediate League Ground Requirements and to seek preferential use of the facility for the Club.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The committee is asked to;

·        Note the report.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Committee will recall that it has received several reports relating to the provision of Intermediate League facilities for Crumlin Star between October 2016 and March 2017.  While the focus of the reports was in respect of Strangford Avenue, Officers have met with the Club and is also pursuing the possibility of using Cliftonville Playing Fields as an interim measure pending a more permanent physical solution at Marrowbone Millennium Park as part of the Urban Villages Programme. 

3.2       At a meeting with representatives from GAA Clubs using the facility under the terms of the Joint Management Board Agreement with the Ulster Council it was agreed that the Clubs would accommodate where possible the needs of Crumlin Star.  In addition, following representation from Council Officers the IFA Intermediate Committee has agreed to accommodate time changes to fixtures to accommodate Crumlin where possible, providing floodlighting can be provided. 

3.3       Officers have now contacted the IFA Grounds Criteria Team to request a site visit and to seek approval to use the Cliftonville pitch.  

3.4       Financial & Resource Implications

            Following the site inspection it may be necessary to undertake works, however at this time it is not known whether there will be a financial cost.  However, the costs if needed are anticipated to be small and can be accommodated within existing revenue budgets.   

3.5       Equality or Good Relations Implications

            There are no equality implications.”

            A Member stated that, whilst he had no specific objection to the previous proposal regarding the future management arrangements at the Clarendon Playing Fields and the preferential use agreement, he did feel that it highlighted the lack of progress made, to date, in terms of reaching a compromise regarding the request from Crumlin Star Football Club.

            The Assistant Director acknowledged the Member’s point but explained that this mini pitch muga investment had been progressing through the capital programme since 2014 and was only now coming to fruition.  She detailed that the Clarendon Development Association had over the years undertaken significant maintenance and investment in order to bring the facility up to Intermediate Standard.  It had also provided storage facilities and purchased equipment to undertake the maintenance of the pitches at a cost of £20,000.  In addition to this, the Association had undertaken to meet the cost of providing and equipping the building which was estimated to be approximately £117,000 and they also had submitted an application for Alpha Funding to provide a wet room and kitchen area within the Pavilion.  All of which clearly demonstrated the Association’s ongoing commitment to the proposal.

            The Director of City and Neighbourhood  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

            The Assistant Director provided the Committee with an overview of the progress which had been made in relation to the main tasks which included the progression of a Park Development Plan, agreeing revised governance arrangements and agreeing a consultation/engagement framework.

            The officer advised that the Stakeholder Working Group was meeting regularly and the Committee were asked to note that the Independent Facilitator, Blueprint Consultancy, might present to the Committee at a future date.

The Committee noted the update.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1        To give Members an update on the development of the Council’s City Cemetery Heritage Project.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Note the update provided

3.0       Main report

3.1       Current Status

            Members will recall that in July 2015 the Council received a development grant of £165,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop up a Stage 2 application for a project designed to protect and enhance the existing heritage in Belfast City Cemetery. An update on the progress was given to Committee in October 2016 when Members were informed that two professional teams – Conservation Architects and Interpretive Planners had been appointed to assist with the project.  Since this time officers have continued to work with the appointed teams and Members are asked to note the following updates.

3.2       Professional Teams

            Alastair Coey Architects have now developed the first draft of a Conservation Plan for the project. This document basically identifies the existing heritage within the site, why it’s important and to whom and suggests policies to protect it. A Management and Maintenance Plan will then also be developed which will develop these policies into new and improved ways of working to ensure the heritage of the site is preserved and enhanced for future generations.

            In addition Alastair Coey have also developed an initial condition survey which provides an analysis of the main heritage assets within the site, their current condition and suggested remedial works. This survey is now being costed by the project’s QS with a view that these costs will be included in the Stage 2 application.

            A draft Biodiversity Plan for the project has also been developed and outlines a number of initiatives designed to increase habitat creation and enhance the existing biodiversity on site. This plan also highlights a number of potential actions designed to encourage community and volunteer involvement in the site.

            Based in the Conservation and Biodiversity Plans our Interpretive Planners are also currently developing their plan for the site which will outline the various stories we want to tell and recommend various tools to do this such as signage, information panels, interactive apps etc.

3.3       Pilot Initiatives

            A range of pilot initiatives are also currently being undertaken on site designed to test certain ideas that if successful will be included in the stage 2 application with a view to being rolled out in the delivery phase. An educational outreach project designed to engage school children with the site is currently underway and we also have plans to deliver a pilot project around employability and training with respect to the site in areas such as horticulture, stone masonry, tour guiding etc.

3.4       Consultation

            Due to the size and scope of the project it is necessary to consult and engage with a vast array of stakeholders both internal and external to Council. As such a detailed stakeholder engagement plan has been developed and is currently being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

            The Committee considered a report which outlined the decisions taken by the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services, under delegated authority, regarding the Parks Events Small Grants applications received in Tranche 1 for events taking place in parks between 1st April and 30th September, 2017 (a copy of which was available here).

            The Director advised that a total of 51 applications had been received for the grant and reported that these had been assessed by the Open Spaces and Active Living Unit (OS&AL), 39 applications had met the criteria for an award to be made and 12 had been unsuccessful.

            The Committee noted that an Independent Assessment Panel had reviewed a sample (20%) of the applications and had been satisfied with the scoring and application of the criteria for the grants and had approved the recommendations for awards. 

            The Director outlined that, in line with the ongoing strategic review of grant-aid within the Council, it was being suggested that officers would review the essential criteria for these grants to ensure that they were fit for purpose.  He advised that the overarching aim was to enable application groups to contribute to the achievement of the Council’s objective to provide attractive, animated, shared and safe parks and open spaces in the City as well as to align with the wider objectives of the Belfast Agenda.  He undertook to update the committee accordingly if any further amendments were considered necessary.    

            The Assistant Director advised the Committee that Tranche II of the Scheme had opened on 8th May and the submission deadline for receipt of applications was 12 noon on Friday 7th July.

            Following consideration, the Committee noted the update report and agreed:

·        that the Members would be forwarded an e-mail explaining the reasons as to why the 12 unsuccessful applications had failed to meet the funding criteria; and

·        that future reports would include a breakdown of the Electoral Wards.

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

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of the Council on 3rd April, it had been agreed that a report would be submitted to Committee to provide further information on the publicity campaign associated with the implementation of the new food waste policy.

            The officer drew the Members’ attention to the following key communications that had been used to promote the No Food Waste Campaign across the City:

·        City Matters – the current edition (April – June 2017) had carried an article encouraging residents to use the correct waste container.  This had also included an article informing residents that all recycling promotional literature was available in accessible format;

·        website – the Council’s website had been fully updated and detailed information was available here ;

·        social media – the Council had promoted the campaign on social media such as Facebook and Twitter and this would be kept updated;

·        Binovation app – the launch of the Binovation app had coincided with launch of the No Food Waste Campaign;

·        letters and bin stickers – from 24th May until the end of May the Council’s Recycling Team would be delivering letters that would inform residents about the campaign and they would also be applying “No Food Waste” stickers to the non-recyclable /general waste bins;

·        vehicle graphics – the graphics on the refuse collection vehicles had been changed to reflect the message on the bin sticker, this would remain on the vehicles for the remainder of 2017/18; and 

·        radio campaign – the campaign was supported by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).  A local radio campaign would be held during May/June to highlight the campaign.

            The Head of Waste Management advised that, in addition to the above, there would also be a multitude of activities which would assist in the delivery of the No Food Waste Campaign which would include posters at recycling centres, Community Group talks and ongoing social media updates.

            Following a query from a Member regarding the storage of kerby boxes the Head of Waste Management undertook to liaise with the Member directly.

The Committee noted the update which had been provided.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1        At the People and Communities Committee meeting on 9 August 2016 and 11 October 2016, reports on the safety of 3G pitches were tabled.  At the 1 November 2016 Council meeting the following request was minuted:

            ‘At the request of Councillor Boyle, the Council agreed that the People and Communities Committee be provided with clarification around the assertions which had been made by Murfitts Industries Limited that its tyres were ‘only sourced from within the EU’ and that its rubber granulate product was ‘classified as non-hazardous under normal use and handling conditions.’

1.2       This report provides further clarification from Murfitts Industries Ltd regarding the safety of their product and also provides results to the Committee on independent safety tests carried out by the Council.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

·        Note the report.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Council currently has a contract in place with Laydex (NI) Ltd for the supply of rubber crumb.  The product currently being supplied by Laydex (NI) Ltd is manufactured by Murfitts Industries Ltd.

3.2       Further information provided by Murfitts Industries Ltd

3.2.1    In response to our request for further product safety information, Murfitts Industries Ltd confirmed that:

            ‘…. at Murfitts we physically handle every tyre that is received on our plant.  Each tyre has a unique serial number which identifies it.  From this number we know if the tyre was produced before or after 2013.  2013 was the year the European regulations came in on the makeup of tyres.  We only use tyres post 2013 in the production of our rubber crumb.  Tyres pre 2013 are rejected and are used as alternative fuel.’

3.2.2    Murfitts Industries have also provided the Council with:

a)     their public statement in response to recent media reports regarding the safety of rubber crumb is available on the Council’s website.  This document states that ‘… at Murfitts we have our products regularly tested to all known standards to ensure that they are as safe as possible.  These tests include toxicology reports, assessing our product for a variety of substances to ensure that these are within safe limits, if present at all’ and ‘….we source all our raw material tyres from within the UK and check every single one that goes into our production process.  For tyres to be legally manufactured and sold within the EU they must meet the requirements set out in the EU REACH Regulations (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) which stipulate limits for a wide range of substances used in manufacturing products of all kinds.’

3.2.3   

b)     the latest report from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) dated 28 February 2017 which concluded that the ‘ECHA has found no reason to advise people against playing sports on synthetic turf containing recycled rubber granules as infill material.  This advice is based on ECHA’s evaluation that there is a very low level of concern from exposure to substances found in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6b

            The Committee was advised that the Beat the Street NI Initiative was a community initiative that had been designed to inspire people to become more physically active by walking or cycling.  The Assistant Director explained that the initiative was one of six funded by the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation and Tesco, as part of their commitment to helping support 40,000 families to get active and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease. 

            The Committee noted that, with support from the Council, Beat the Street NI had been delivered between 14th September and 2nd November, 2016.  During this time 33,940 people had taken part, covering a total distance of 157,012 miles and 797,201 activity recordings (taps).  A key focus had been to engage schools and school children and the Committee noted that 117 schools and 21,336 school children had participated in the initiative.

            The officer reported that it was planned to bring the Beat the Street NI Initiative back to Belfast and the surrounding area in September 2017, with the ambition of again engaging and supporting over 40,000 people to be more physically active. To support this, Intelligent Health, who deliver the initiative, had sought permission to place a number of the ‘Beat Boxes’ in Council owned parks and open spaces. The cost of installation and maintenance for Beat Boxes and associated insurance costs would be covered by Intelligent Health.  They had also requested support from the Council to promote the initiative through its social media and publication offerings.

            The Committee agreed to support the implementation of the Beat the Street Initiative during Autumn 2017.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1        To advise committee of extended support for delivery of the participation strand of Sport NI’s investment programme called Everybody Active 2020 (EBA2020).

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Agree to the continuation of Everybody Active 2020 to 31 March 2020, subject to funding being approved for release from Sport NI.

3.0       Main report

            Sport NI programme

3.1       Sport NI commissioned Belfast City Council, along with other Council areas, to deliver the participation strand of Everybody 2020. The aim of the programme is to increase quality opportunities for targeted groups to develop and sustain participation in sport across key life-course transitions.

3.2       Belfast’s programme has specific targets which identify women and girls, people with a disability and people living in areas of high social need as priority. Participation evidence highlights disparities and inequalities within those sectors. Committee authorised officers to develop and commission a blend of providers through a public process to deliver Belfast’s Everybody Active 2020 targets. Officers have commissioned a diverse range of partners with consideration to developing programmes which prioritise participation for women/girls in the 14-25 age group, during which drop off levels are greatest.

3.3       Participation Targets 2017 – 2018

3.4       Programme delivery will be linked to other investments including workforce development, outdoor recreation infrastructure, small grants and Peace IV to improve the outcomes from EBA2020.

3.5       Sport NI has recently confirmed a budget of £468,074 for delivery of EBA2020 in Belfast. This exceeds the indicative amount of £439,074 initially offered by Sport NI and has allowed delivery of additional programmes through the appointment of three additional partners in 2017-2018.

            Additional Delivery Partners

3.6       Current position

            EBA2020 provides Council with a resource to support the physical activity and health outcomes within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6d

            The Assistant Director advised that a request had been received from Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association seeking permission to hold a week long programme of cultural celebration in Woodvale Park.  The officer reported that for a number of years the group had been an active participant on the bonfire programme and that in 2007 it had been involved in the design of the Bonfire Beacon as an alternative to the traditional 11th July bonfire.  It had successfully ran this event from 2008, attracting over 1000 people and for the past number of years the group had successfully used a bonfire frame instead of a beacon.  The officer explained that the group was again intending to design and deliver a cultural event in Woodvale Park from 7th July to 11th July.  She explained that the week long programme would be designed around interventions and would seek to engage local youths and the community in activities such as soccer tournaments, which would be provided by Live for Sport.  The final day would see Woodvale Park play host to a family fun day celebration.  The officer detailed that the Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association were seeking permission to construct a framed bonfire within the park and to stage associated community activities as part of its ongoing efforts to transform bonfires within the wider locality. 

            The Committee agreed to grant authority to Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association permission to hold a week long programme of cultural celebration in Woodvale Park in July 2017, subject to satisfactory terms being agreed with the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services and on condition that:

• the Event Organisers ensure that all health and safety requirements are met to the Council’s satisfaction, including an event management plan, risk assessments and public liability insurance: and
• the event organisers meet all statutory requirements including entertainments licensing.

The Committee:

• approved the continuation of an existing street in the City namely Park Avenue Heights, off Park Avenue, BT4; and
• agreed to defer the naming in respect of Emma Court, off Albert Street, BT12 to enable more information to be obtained.

            The Assistant Director advised that a request had been received from a number of young business owners who were seeking permission to hold an event called Focal, in Lower Crescent Open Space on Friday, 30th June and Saturday, 1st July which would showcase the best of young entrepreneurial talent in the food and drinks industry.

            The Committee granted authority for Focal to hold an event on 30th June and 1st July in Lower Crescent Open Space, subject to satisfactory terms being agreed with the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services and on condition that:

• the promoter resolves all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;
• an appropriate legal agreement is completed, to be prepared by the City Solicitor; and
• the promoter meets all statutory requirements of the Building Control Service, including the terms and conditions of the Parks Entertainments Licence and any subsequent decisions made by the Licensing Committee.

The Assistant Director advised that a request had been received from Wilgar Community Forum, the organisers of the Wilgar Rock and Blues Festival, for the use of Blanchflower Playing Fields to host an event within a marquee, from 4th - 6th August, 2017.

            The Committee noted that this was the sixth year of the event, which was usually held at Wilgar Park.  The organisers had advised that the event had greatly increased in size over the years and had now outgrown that venue. 

            The officer reported that the acts and running order for the event had not yet been confirmed but the organisers wished to showcase local acts and provide them with a platform and opportunity to portray their talents.

            The Committee noted that due to the proposed date of the event it was anticipated that it might cause some delay to the pitch reinstatement programme, which in turn was likely to disrupt the booking of pitches at the start of the new football season at Blanchflower Playing Fields.  She reminded the Members that, immediately following the winter play season, at the end of April, work commenced to repair worn areas, improve ground levels and ensure that the grass was re-established before the start of the new season in September.

            A Member suggested that it might be possible for the pitch reinstatement to be carried out prior to the event. 

            The Committee granted authority to the organisers of the Wilgar Rock and Blues Festival to hold the event at Blanchflower Playing Fields from the period of 4th – 6th August, 2017, subject to satisfactory terms being agreed with the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services and on condition that:

·        the organisers resolve all operational issues including Health and Safety through an agreed Event Management Plan to the satisfaction of Council officers;

·        an appropriate legal agreement would be completed, to be prepared by the City Solicitor;

·        the organisers meet all statutory requirements of the Building Control Service including the terms and conditions of the Parks Entertainments Licence; and

·        agreed to wave the fees for the use of the facility on the basis that this would be a community based event organised by a not-for-profit organisation.

            It was agreed further that the Assistant Director would investigate if the pitch maintenance could be progressed prior to the event to try and avoid the disruption of the booking of the pitches at the start of the new football season.

            The Director of City and Neighbourhood Services reminded the Committee that, as requested at a previous meeting, a site visit had been arranged for Friday, 12th May to the Council’s recycling facilities.  The officer advised that this would provide an insight into some of the operations involving materials collected from Belfast residents and would include visits to the Dargan Road Waste Transfer Station, Bryson Recycling and the NWP Glenside (Composing Facility). 

            The Members were encouraged to attend and asked to let the Democratic Services Officer know as soon as possible if they would be available.

Noted. 

            Councillor Garrett referred to the fact that this had been his last meeting in the role of Chairperson, as his replacement was due to be appointed in June, and thanked the Members and officers for their support over the previous year.