Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Alderman Sandford and Councillors Copeland, Corr Johnston, Lyons and McCusker.

            The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Mr. R. Feeney (Queen’s University), Mr. D. Morrow (Ulster University), Mr. J. Woods (Belfast Metropolitan College) representing the Higher Education Authorities.  Superintendent Jones was also in attendance representing Belfast City PSNI.  

            The Assistant Director provided the Committee with an update on the current work being undertaken by the Council.  She reported that the Committee had considered a report on anti-social behaviour in a range of parks and open spaces across the City which had included:

·        anti-social behaviour in the Holylands and around parks and open spaces across the city;

·        the ongoing work in response to these issues; and

·        the planned work to improve the response to these issues.

            The Assistant Director advised that the report had been presented to the Committee following a Notice of Motion that had been submitted to the Council for consideration in respect of ongoing challenges within the Holylands area of Belfast, particularly at certain times of the year.

            The officer reported that, during discussion, the Committee had recognised the importance of the Council working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to attempt to improve the response to these issues, hence why the meeting had been organised.

            For Members information, the officer reported that a control strategy and operational plans were being developed by the PSNI and the Council for St Patrick’s Day.  The strategy and operational plans would focus on ensuring better co-ordination of multi-agency efforts around St. Patrick’s Day 2017, not just in the Holylands area but also across the City.

            The officer then proceeded to outline the proposed operation plans as follows:

·        to deliver a comprehensive and integrated communications approach across agencies, including promoting positive St. Patrick’s Day event/activities;

·        to reduce antisocial behaviour and minimise the potential for public disorder by:

o   reducing the number of people attending the Holylands area;

o   reducing the amount of alcohol being brought into the area/consumed in the area;

o   encouraging positive behaviour and challenging negative behaviour; and

o   to deliver proportionate and proactive multi-agency enforcement.

·        to provide an effective and timely clean-up to all parts of the city;

·        to reduce anti-social behaviour by preventing large crowds gathering to consume alcohol and other substances in parks and open spaces; and

·        to deliver successful St Patrick’s Day public celebratory events (parade and concert) designed to attract a family audience.

            Mr. Morrow thanked the Committee for the opportunity to present.  He advised that the institutions recognised that there were particular challenges in some residential areas of South Belfast, specifically the Holylands area.  He highlighted that this area was home to both long-term residents, students and a more transient population, including newcomers to Northern Ireland, who often resided in rented accommodation. 

            The representative stated that as responsible institutions, the universities and colleges were committed to promoting community responsibility to its students and encouraging positive community relations throughout the City and he proceeded to outline the following measures taken:

·        the institutions communicate regularly and robustly with all of its students in respect of student behaviour,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.