Agenda and minutes

            An apology was recorded on behalf of Councillor Nicholl.

            It was reported that the minutes of the meeting of 4th December had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 7th January, subject to officers seeking clarity regarding the spelling of one of the street names that had been agreed at the December Committee Meeting under Street Naming. The Committee was advised that the developer had submitted an incorrect spelling in his application.  He had since been contacted and had confirmed, via e-mail, that he wished to amend the spelling from Napoleans Gate to Napoleons Gate.

            The minutes of the meeting held on 4th December were taken as read and signed as correct.

            No declarations were reported.

The information contained in the reports associated with the following three items 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 Committee meeting during discussion on these items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

(Mr. R. Cregan, Director of Finance and Resources, attended in connection with this item).

            The Committee considered a report, which had been prepared by the Director of Finance and Resources, in relation to the establishment of the District Rate and the compilation of the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the year 2019/2020.

            The Director outlined that the paper would not be subject to call-in as it would cause an unreasonable delay which would be prejudicial to the Council and the public’s interest in striking the district rate by the legislative deadline of 15th February, 2019.

            He referred to the cash limit for the People and Communities Committee for 2019/2020, as recommended by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 14th December, and outlined the next steps in the rate setting process leading to the setting of the district rate by Council at its meeting in February, 2019.

            The Director highlighted to the Members that the cash limits included an increase of financial funding to Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP) amounting to £25,000 to assist with its core costs. 

            A Member advised that, at a previous meeting of the Committee, she had raised the removal of the entrance fee charge to the Adventure Playground at Cavehill and she had understood that consideration was to be given to this during the budget setting process and she queried why it had not been progressed.

            The Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services confirmed that, whilst this matter had not been included in this year’s budget, officers were considering the various options available for the future operation of the facility. 

            During discussion, the Member requested that a report be submitted to the February meeting of the Committee, which would provide clarity around the request and the future operation of the Adventure Playground, to enable the Members to consider it in more detail.

            Following consideration, the Committee: 

·        agreed that the report would not be subject to call-in, given that it would cause an unreasonable delay and would be prejudicial to both the Council and the public’s interests in striking the district rate by the legislative deadline of 15th February, 2019;

·        agreed a cash limit for the People and Communities Committee for 2019/20 of £80,614,500 and the individual service cash limits;

·        noted that the cash limits included an increase of financial funding to Lagan Valley Regional Park amounting to £25,000;

·        noted the next steps in the rate setting process; and

·        agreed that a report would be submitted to the February meeting of the Committee which would give consideration to the possible removal of the current entrance fee and future operation of the Adventure Playground.

            The Committee considered a report which detailed the proposed Community Development Grant Allocation for 2019/20 to each recipient group.  This included the level of grant funding to each group as per the current allocation for Generalist Advice, Capacity Support and Community Building Revenue Grants.  It also included the allocation of non-grant revenue community support contracts.

            Several Members expressed concern at the allocations to their respective electoral areas and undertook to discuss the matter in further detail with the officers.

            The Committee noted the report.

The Committee considered a report seeking its approval to assert two Public Rights of Way as per the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983. 

            The Committee agreed to the assertion of two Public Rights of Way from Pineview Road to Antrim Road and from Pineview Park to Antrim Road, over which the only public right of passage, is on foot, under the duties of Article 3 of the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its last meeting, it had agreed to invite the Belfast Youth Forum to present its mental health research report findings and recommendations: ‘Elephant in the Room: Exploring young people’s awareness of mental health in Northern Ireland’ to the Committee. 

            Accordingly, Miss. N. Mallaghan and Miss. B. Vance, representing the Belfast Youth Forum, were welcomed to the meeting by the Chairperson.  

            The representatives commenced by advising that, in July 2016, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child had recommended that the Northern Ireland Assembly should invest heavily in children and young people’s mental health services.  Subsequently, at a follow up event in October 2016, organised by the Belfast Youth Forum, NI Youth Forum and youth@clc, over one hundred young people had expressed their frustration at the lack of mental health education and support services in Northern Ireland (NI).  At that meeting, they had called for the UN’s recommendations to be fully implemented by the NI Assembly.  

            The Committee was advised that the Youth Forum, with the assistance of a local researcher, undertook a research report which was entitled ‘Elephant in the Room’.  The project had been completed in partnership with young people from the NI Youth Forum and the Children’s Law Centre.  They had conducted surveys and participated in focus groups that had engaged almost 1,300 young people NI wide.  The data collected had then been used to create a research report and to make recommendations to the Assembly about the future of mental health advice and support for young people.  This report had been launched on 4th October, 2018 in Stormont Buildings.

            The representatives advised that the key findings could be broken down into three broad themes:

·        Stigma - young people had reported that there was a huge negative stigma attached to mental health which in turn often led to a culture of silence, where young people were afraid to talk about mental health;

·        Safe Spaces – 76% of those surveyed stated that young people were afraid to talk about mental health and the lack of safe spaces available to talk about it.  Young people in the focus groups had stated that they felt that online was a good place to access mental health information.  However, it was also noted that all of the young people who had taken part also felt that social media was responsible for increasing the negative stigma; and

·        Schools and information – the young people had stated that the three most common places they would source information about mental health were online (59%), a family member (48%) and friends (45%).  However, it was noted that the quality of this information was often inconsistent and often framed in a negative way.

            The representatives explained that a key part of the youth led focus groups had involved asking the young people what solutions they would like to give the Government in the campaign to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.  The following recommendations for Government had been compiled:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of Council on 7th January, the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Mullan and seconded by Alderman Spence, had been referred to the Committee for consideration:

“This Council notes with concern the impact that inter-generational loneliness and social isolation is having across the City.

The Council recognises the good work already being done in the Council to address these problems but acknowledges that more needs to be done.  Other agencies, such as Age NI, the Red Cross and the Campaign to End Loneliness are also recognising loneliness as a significant emerging issue.

Due to the Northern Ireland Assembly not currently functioning, we are now falling behind other administrations in addressing these problems at an Executive level.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to consider how best it can develop an inter-agency approach to address the problems, including working with partner agencies in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.”

            With the permission of the Chairperson, Councillor Mullan addressed the Committee and outlined her concern regarding the widespread problems associated with inter-generational loneliness and social isolation.  She stated that, whilst she commended the good work already being undertaken by the Council, she urged it to develop this work further by developing an interagency approach to help address this emerging issue.

            The Committee agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting which would give consideration as to how the Council could develop its current partnership working to further support the problems associated with inter-generational loneliness and social isolation.

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of the Council on 7th January, the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor O’Hara and seconded by Councillor Nic Biorna, had been referred to the Committee for consideration:

“This Council opposes the naming of the new Council leisure facility on the land at Montgomery Road as “The Robinson Centre” and agrees that this facility be renamed in accordance with Council policy.

The naming of any Council facility must be inclusive and welcoming to all.  The previous centre on this land was named “The Robinson Centre” and was within the Castlereagh Borough Council area before the changes in council boundaries when councils reduced in number from twenty-six to eleven.  This is a new facility and must come under existing Council policy.

Belfast City Council’s policy is clear.  A person must be deceased for at least five years before any park or leisure facility can be named after them.”

            Councillor O’Hara, the proposer of the motion, addressed the Committee and outlined her reasons as to why she felt that the facility should be given a new name.  She explained that, as it was a new facility, it should be named in line with the Council’s Naming Policy to ensure it was a unique, inclusive and welcoming space for all.

            A number of the Members disputed that this was a new centre and stated that it was instead a replacement facility, therefore, there was no justification or need for it to be renamed.  A Member stated that the centre had been referred to as the Robinson Centre in all promotional material throughout the Leisure Transformation Programme.

            Another Member suggested that the proposal to rename the facility was politically motivated.

            The City Solicitor referred to the Council’s Naming Policy (2008) and stated that the provisions for naming and renaming of a facility were contained within the same appendix.  He advised that they were broadly the same, however, where there was to be a renaming, consideration would have to be given to the historical context of the original name before seeking to change it.  He confirmed that, from a legal position, the Council had absolute discretion in regard to the naming/renaming of any of its facilities, subject to consultation and to an equality assessment. 

            A number of Members referred to Belfast City Council’s naming policy and highlighted that it stated that ‘a person must be deceased for at least five years before any park or leisure facility can be named after them’, therefore, in their opinion, the current name did not comply with the Policy.  They also highlighted that it had repeatedly been referred to as a new facility on the Council’s website.

            Following a further query, the City Solicitor clarified that, if the Council was to proceed with a public consultation, it would take into consideration the publics comments and recommendations but, ultimately, the final naming would be a Council decision.

Amendment

            Moved by Councillor Lyons,

            Seconded by Councillor Heading,

                  That the wording  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee was advised that, at the meeting of the Strategic Cemetery and Crematorium Working Group held on 19th December, the following key items had been considered:

·        update on the Headstone Foundation Policy;

·        update in respect of the National Association of Funeral Directors.  The Committee was advised the President of the N. I. Federation of National Association of Funeral Directors had been invited to attend the next Strategic Cemeteries Working Group to discuss the Federation’s concerns regarding the current legislation relating to all aspects of bereavement.  All Members of the People and Communities Committee would receive an invitation to attend; and

·        update on the capital works associated with the new crematorium facility at Roselawn.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group held on 19th December 2018.

            The Committee was advised that a meeting of the Reference Group on Older People had been held on 12th December and the Director of City Services had provided a brief overview of the items that had been considered, which included:

·        Walking Football - Danderball;

·        Age-friendly Belfast Convention and launch of the Age-friendly Belfast Plan;

·        Korber Foundation Symposium on Demographic Change;

·        Welcome Meeting Room;

·        UK Network of Age-Friendly Communities Steering Group;

·        Age-Friendly Belfast Communities Steering Group;

·        Age-friendly Belfast Positive Ageing Month 2018;

·        Age-friendly Belfast Older Volunteer Awards; and

·        Age-friendly Belfast Events;

            The Director advised that members of the Greater Belfast Seniors’ Forum had requested the use of a City centre meeting area to be used as a discussion platform and as a means to coordinate its work and to help combat isolation.  The group had asked officers to explore the possibility of a room in the City Hall.

            The Committee was advised that the Reference Group had suggested that the Welcome Room in the City Hall might be a suitable location but this idea needed to be further explored.

            The Committee:

·        approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Reference Group on Older People held on 12th December 2018; and

·        agreed that a detailed proposal be developed to pilot the use of the Welcome Room in the City Hall as a drop-in space for older people on two days per week, which would then be submitted to the relevant Committee for its consideration.

(Mr. R. Cregan, Director of Finance and Resources, attended in connection with this item).

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To advise committee of additional challenges faced by the Partner Agreement holder following development of the site, to seek permission to revise the current Partner Agreement at Ulidia Playing Fields for the duration of the Agreement and to advise committee that Rosario YC intends to seek an alternative management model in the form of a long term lease.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Committee is asked to consider the requested additional support by Rosario YC and the two options as outlined below and:

·        to agree to option 2 based on the budgetary impact outlined at 3.8

·        to note Rosario YC’s desire to submit a detailed proposal to Council describing their proposed Management model based on a long term lease. A proposal will be brought to a future committee.

            Option 1

2.2       Revise the terms within the existing Partner Agreement at Ulidia Playing Fields to include an additional financial payment of up to £2,000 per month for staff costs subject to vouching of fully evidenced expenditure or

            Option 2

2.3       Revise the terms within the existing Partner Agreement at Ulidia Playing Fields to review keyholding requirements and provide additional facility management through Mobile Facilities Attendants

3.0      Main report

3.1       Ulidia Playing Fields is subject to a Partner Agreement with Rosario YC. The Agreement is for a term of five years to the last day of August 2020 with an option to extend for a further two years. The Partner Agreement requires the Club to deliver sports development outcomes based on the Club’s annual plan and to assume responsibility for day to day operation of the site including key holding, cleaning, security, health and safety duties etc. Council supports the Club in the form of four quarterly payments of £5,000 based on satisfactory delivery of the sports development plan and compliance with operational requirements.

3.2       Over the last number of months the site has been closed and Rosario YC’s development programmes have been displaced to other venues. This closure was to facilitate Council’s redevelopment of the site with the installation of a floodlit synthetic pitch which, subject to completion of planned works, will be available for use in January 2019.

3.3       A meeting was held at the beginning of December 2018, attended by political representatives, club representatives and officers. Rosario YC made a presentation highlighting the scale and scope of the Club’s activities, how their activities support the Belfast Agenda and other relevant strategies, their vision for further development of the site in the future and their ambition to assume full responsibility for running the site.

3.4       The Club highlighted their concerns that the development of the site to include the synthetic floodlit pitch will now require them to operate well beyond their original commitment due to the intensified hourly use, extended opening hours and the move from seasonal to yearlong programming. They  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

            The Committee approved the naming in respect of Hawthornden Grange, off Hawthornden Road, BT4 and Belmore Way, off Shore Road, BT14.

A Member suggested that a standalone dual language street naming policy be introduced for the Gaeltacht Quarter and asked officers to investigate this further.

            The Building Control Manager undertook to discuss the legalities of a standalone policy for this area with Legal Services and the Equality and Diversity Unit and to provide an update to the Committee in due course.

            The Committee further approved the applications to erect second nameplates in Irish at Hawthorn Hill, Shanlieve Road, Benraw Green, Benraw Terrace, Benraw Road, Glen Manor, Glencourt and Brooke Manor.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Dog fouling remains a persistent problem in parts of the city and the purpose of this report is to provide the update required by Members at the August 2018 meeting on the work that is carried out by the Community Awareness Team and the Dog Warden Service to tackle the issue of dog fouling.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Note the contents of the report.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Dog fouling can impact neighbourhoods and whilst the majority of dog owners exercise responsible dog management there are a small number of owners who do not and this can have a detrimental impact on areas of the city.  Dog fouling requires on going resources to address in terms of its removal from the streets, as well as providing a wide range of education and awareness programmes together with the use of fines where infringements are detected. 

            The Dog Warden Service deploy routine monitoring patrols, to detect dog fouling incidents, however, it is widely recognised that the problem of dog fouling cannot be addressed solely by enforcement intervention.  To encourage a change in behaviour, a wider programme supporting responsible dog ownership is an essential element of the Council’s approach to reducing levels of dog fouling throughout the city.  This report summarises the activities undertaken by the Community Awareness Team and the Dog Warden Service to address the issue of dog fouling.

3.2       Community awareness

            The Community Awareness Team has a project plan detailing a range of activities through educational, promotional and community based programmes scheduled throughout the course of each year, which aims to highlight the problems of dog fouling and includes the following.

3.3       Dog fouling advertising campaign

            The advertising associated with the dog-fouling element of the council’s anti-litter campaign for this year commenced in July and will run in cycles through until 31March 2019.  A budget of £74,120 has been allocated to marketing the anti-dog fouling message. The campaign utilises general activity throughout the whole of the council area, e.g. bus T sides, commuter cards and radio.  In addition, a targeted blitz was organised in four geographical areas, north, south, east and west, consisting of newspaper adverts, adshels, 48 sheets for billboards, etc. with the message ‘Dog Wardens are patrolling in (e.g. south) Belfast’.

            Targeted area based activity was undertaken during the following dates:

            South Monday 24th Sept – Sat 6th Oct 2018

            West Monday 8th Oct – Sat 20th Oct  2018

            North Monday 22nd Oct – Sat 3rd Nov 2018

            East Monday 5th Nov – Sat 17th Nov 2018

            In addition, all cleansing vehicles have been branded with the current campaign graphics reinforcing the fine for dog fouling; this allows for a consistent campaign message to be delivered into neighbourhoods throughout the year.

3.4       Community outreach activities

            The Community Awareness Team has attended 38 events throughout the summer months, in our parks and open spaces, reinforcing the anti-fouling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8c

            The Committee considered a report which sought permission to site a temporary listening post as part of the ‘Home for Insects and Memories’ project at both Botanic Gardens and the Waterworks Park.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that, as part of the Council’s bid for City of Culture 2022, the Council had commissioned a number of projects, one of which included a ‘Homes for insects and memories’ project.  She explained that the project worked with older people across the City and supported them in sharing their stories and memoires of nature past and present.

            Working with local artists, participants had developed their stories to be included on ten interactive listening points across the City area.  Each would provide access for the public to listen to participant’s experiences of growing up in and around the nature of the City. 

            The Committee authorised the temporary installation of two listening stations over a five day period during February 2019, to coincide with Science Week, within Botanic Gardens and the Waterworks Park. 

            The Committee was provided with an overview of a situation that had arisen prior to Christmas which had given rise to some missed bin collections over the festive period.

            Following a query, the Strategic Director of Neighbourhood Services provided a brief overview and confirmed that management were due to commence discussions with the Trade Unions to try to resolve any outstanding issues. 

            The Members asked that the Committee’s thanks be recorded to the staff who had worked extremely hard in attempting to resume the waste collections as quickly as possible. 

            Noted.