Agenda and minutes

No apologies were recorded. 

            The minutes of the meetings held on 8th and 21st January were taken as read and signed as correct.

            Aldermen Copeland, Rodgers and Sandford and Councillors Newton and Pankhurst declared an interest in respect of agenda item 6 (b), Request for use of Barnett’s Demesne, in that they were Members of the Orange Order.  They remained in the room while the matter was under consideration but took no part in the discussion. 

            Councillor Black declared an interest in respect of agenda item 2 (a) Community Development Grants Programme 2019/20 in that she was employed by Grosvenor Community Centre which received funding under the Community Development Grants Programme. She remained in the room while the matter was under consideration but took no part in the discussion.

The Committee noted that the above item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

The information contained in the reports associated with the following two 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.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update in relation to the current situation regarding the Community Development Grants Programme (CDGP) 2019/20. The Committee was asked to consider the following three options and to agree the preferred option:

1.      Option 1 – to do nothing until the Council received the CSP Letter of Offer from the Department for Communities;

2.      Option 2 – to continue with the current level of funding;

3.      Option 3 – to ensure business continuity that the current contract be extended to all groups until 30th September, 2019.

      Following consideration of the options, the Committee agreed:

·        option 3 as the most appropriate option to mitigate against the delay and/or reduction to the CDGP income from the Department for Communities;

·        that to ensure business continuity, to maintain the current allocation of £200,691 for small grants provision; and

·        that a report be submitted to a future meeting which would provide further detail in respect of the five consortia and the assessment process.

The Committee considered a request seeking authority to erect a memorial plaque at the Lisnabreeny US War Memorial Garden in memory of a Belfast woman, Ms. Priscilla Gotto, who died in a B17 air crash in Wales in 1944.

            The Committee acceded to the request.

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of Council on 4th February, the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Garrett and seconded by Councillor Magee, had been referred to the Committee for consideration:

“This Council recognises that issues relating to homelessness in the city of Belfast are complex, multi-faceted and that they require interventions and solutions from a wide range of statutory organisations, delivery agents, charities and the community and voluntary sector.

The work that all these organisations carry out is to be welcomed and commended at the highest level, however, no single agency working on its own in isolation, including this Council, will solve the many complex issues relating to homelessness.

Too often, we tragically hear about people dying on our city streets and, as leaders of this city, we must do everything that we can to try to help those who are vulnerable and feeling desolate.

The Council can play a pivotal role to enable partnership action and our City’s Ard Mhéara/Mayor, as first citizen, can be a convener and facilitator in taking decisive action to address these issues in partnership with others.

The Council agrees, through the office of the Mayor, to convene a statutory and non-statutory multi-agency task group that will seek to take further partnership actions in addressing all facets of homelessness.  This would include those people who find themselves on the streets with complex needs, those suffering from addiction and mental health issues and those who have no place to call home. The task group should seek to increase support services, scope out available and suitable facilities for extra supported bed provision in the city and any further issues which the task group identifies.”

            With the permission of the Chairperson, Councillor Garrett addressed the Committee and outlined his concern regarding the widespread problems associated with homelessness in Belfast.  He specifically referred to the recent update that had been received from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive at the special meeting of the People and Communities Committee held on Tuesday, 5th February, which had provided a useful overview of the extent of the current homelessness situation throughout the City.  Whilst he commended the good work already being undertaken by the various agencies, he stressed that more needed to be done to develop this interagency approach to help address the many complex issues relating to homelessness.  

            The Committee agreed that, through the office of the Mayor, a statutory task force group would be formed that would seek to take further partnership actions to address the homelessness problems in the City.

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of Council on 4th February, the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Walsh and seconded by Councillor Baker, had been referred to the Committee for consideration:

“Noting Belfast City Council’s commitment to waste prevention and minimisation and the resulting benefits to the economy in terms of jobs and investment back into community;

Noting Belfast City Council’s commitment to the exploration of opportunities for further reducing waste including the feasibility of a circular economy approach to generate more value and jobs for the local economy through innovative waste solutions;

Noting the contribution of a circular economy to climate change mitigation and a healthy urban environment;

Noting the absence of any dedicated recycling and associated amenities in the Colin neighbourhood;

The Council agrees to immediately commission a report to examine the following:

1.      initiate steps to design and procure a circular economy community hub including a repair cafe to facilitate education and participation in a transition to the circular economy in the Colin neighbourhood;

2.      incorporate best practice and innovative design principles, including:

·        circular economy education, and training for citizens and interested organisations/businesses;

·        a serviced repair café;

·        a serviced social enterprise business start-up and support hub with a view to enabling and clustering existing eco-enterprises and start-ups (e.g. cycle repair, associated social enterprises linked to greenway/tourism); and

·        comprehensive recycling, repair and remanufacturing facilities, including incentive schemes;

3.      initiate an engagement with Lisburn Castlereagh Council, to investigate the replacement of current facilities in Dunmurry’s Recycling Centre at The Cutts and to investigate the statistics on origin of users of this site; and

4.      initiate a multi-agency collaboration, led by Belfast City Council in consultation with community-based organisations in the Colin neighbourhood, to design, commission, build and service Belfast’s first Circular Economy Community Enterprise Hub and Repair Café.”

            The Committee noted the ongoing work and agreed that a report would be submitted to a future meeting which would consider the proposals made in the motion.  

The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of Council on 4th February, the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Pankhurst and seconded by Councillor Murphy, had been referred to the Committee for consideration:

“This Council notes the sterling work conducted by a number of youth organisations across Belfast in attempting to break the stigma around mental health by supporting those suffering from illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

The Council agrees to support and promote these youth organisations through providing events, seminars and funding, when required, in order to help combat mental ill-health in Belfast.

The Council understands that the Department for Education is now considering implementing resilience training as part of the school curriculum.  The Council welcomes this and agrees to write to the Department for Education to encourage it to implement this as a matter of urgency. 

The Council also calls upon the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to consider adopting safe spaces in Accident and Emergency centres, including a pathway of care, for those suffering from severe mental health difficulties who feel suicidal and need urgent care.

Finally, the Council agrees to convene a meeting between these youth organisations and other statutory agencies to try and establish a pilot online chat platform operated by trained staff for those suffering from mental ill-health. This platform will also be available in phone applications, should it be successful, making it much more accessible to young people in particular.”

            Councillor Pankhurst, the proposer of the motion, addressed the Committee and outlined his concern regarding the need to support people suffering from mental ill health in Belfast.   He stated that, whilst he commended the good work already being undertaken by the various agencies, this work needed to be further developed to ensure that the required support was easily accessible, to young people in particular, and to try and break the stigma that was often associated with the illness.

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the Council would facilitate a workshop, to which other statutory agencies would be invited, which would enable the various stakeholders to consider the options available to assist youth organisations which were trying to provide assistance to those suffering from mental ill-health.

            The Committee was advised that, at the meeting of the Strategic Cemetery and Crematorium Working Group held on 22nd January, the working group had received a comprehensive presentation on the history of Bereavement Legislation from Rev. Dr. Haire, representing the National Association of Funeral Directors.

            Rev. Dr. Haire had advised that the current cremation legislation was out of date and this often caused difficulties for bereaved families.  He had detailed the need for the legislation in Northern Ireland to be overhauled and streamlined which would include the incorporation of electronic digital technology.

            The Working Group had noted that officials from both the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department for Communities (DfC) were working on revised legislation and processes which related to cremation and it had agreed the following actions, subject to the approval of the People and Communities Committee:

·        that an invitation be extended to the DoH officials to present on its works in relation to updated processes for cremation;

·        that officers would review the processes which had recently been reviewed in Scotland;

·        a copy of the revised cremation legislation drafted by the DfC be requested; and

·        a letter be forwarded to both the DfC and DoH to highlight the issues raised by the National Association of Funeral Directors in regard to the impact that the outdated legislation was having on bereaved families and Funeral Directors.

            The Members were also advised that, at the January meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, it had been noted that all political parties would be extremely busy with canvassing in the lead up to polling day for the Local Government Elections, and particularly during the month of April.  It had been agreed that it would be necessary to continue with the Standing Committees in that month, however, there were a number of Working Group meetings scheduled to be held in April, including the Strategic Cemeteries and Development Working Group.

            The Committee:

·        approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group held on 22nd January, which included the aforementioned actions; and

·        agreed that the meeting of the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Development Working Group scheduled for Monday, 15th April would be cancelled.

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 outline how Belfast City Council currently engages with Community Rescue Service.

2.0      Recommendations

2.1      This Committee is asked to:

·        Note the contents of this report.

3.0      Main report

            Key Issues 

3.1       Members may recall the presentation given by Sean McGarry, Community Rescue Service, to the People and Communities Committee on 21st January 2019.  This report briefly outlines how Belfast City Council engages with voluntary search and rescue organisations such as Community Rescue Service.

3.2       Co-ordination of land and inland water rescue is a devolved matter with search and rescue policy the responsibility of the Department of Justice.  Co-ordination of land and inland water search and rescue operations falls to the PSNI. Community Rescue Service sit on a Practitioners Group made up of statutory and voluntary organisations which report into the Department of Justice.  Community Rescue Service is a declared resource under the NI Search and Rescue agreement.  

3.3       Belfast Emergency Preparedness Group (Belfast EPG) is a Multi-Agency partnership involved in preparing and planning for emergencies which would impact on the people and communities of Belfast.  Belfast EPG partners may engage the assistance of organisations such as Community Rescue Service during an emergency response situation.  In such circumstances a request to Community Rescue Service for search and rescue assistance will come from one of the statutory emergency responder organisations such as the PSNI or NI Fire and Rescue Service.  Belfast City Council would support such efforts where humanitarian assistance is required by activating emergency support centre arrangements and providing buildings for emergency rest centres etc.  

3.4       In the past, Belfast City Council’s Parks and Warden staff have worked with Community Rescue Service during land based search efforts for missing persons.  Community Rescue Service also provide invaluable voluntary search and rescue assistance at events in the City such as Belfast Vital, Belsonic and events around the harbour estate.

3.5       During the presentation on 21st January 2019, Sean McGarry made reference to Community Rescue Service utilising the Lagan lookout building.  The Lagan lookout building is currently under the control of the Department for Communities (DfC) and there are no current plans to change this.  

3.6       Finance and Resource Implications

None.

3.7       Equality or Good Relations Implications

Rural Needs Assessment

None.”

            The Committee noted the update provided. 

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Further to previous agreements at People and Communities Committee, this report provides the agreed update on anti-social behaviour in parks and open spaces covering the August - December 2018 period.

1.2       At previous meetings, Members further agreed that initial work would be focussed on Falls Park/City Cemetery, Orangefield Park/Avoniel Park, Marrowbone, Dunville and Ballysillan.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        note the progress against these actions and to receive a further progress report in due course.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Current Context

Reported Anti-Social Behaviour To Council

Ongoing analysis of reports from members of the public, along with anti-social behaviour witnessed by Council Officers has identified the following parks/open spaces as having issues with persistent anti-social behaviour.

3.2       Please note figures provided below are for the period August – December 2018.

3.3       Please also note that the list below only represents the parks/open spaces with the highest numbers of reports of anti-social behaviour.  Reports of anti-social behaviour are received for other parks/open spaces across the city but at a much lower level.

Repairs at Parks/Open Spaces

3.4       As indicated above, anti-social behaviour is often under-reported.  Officers therefore regularly review requisitions for repairs at parks/open spaces due to vandalism, criminal damage or arson.

3.5       There has been a marked reduction in serious vandalism at the majority of parks/open spaces, however, vandalism remains persistent in many of the parks/open spaces highlighted above.

Member Feedback

3.6       Elected Members engage regularly with Officers articulating concerns about anti-social behaviour in parks/open spaces.  Officers have reviewed their Elected Members contact on this issue and the following parks/open spaces present most frequently as of concern:

Animation/Programming

3.7       Progress to Date

·        Programmes of animation were undertaken at four locations which had been identified as having persistent challenges with anti-social behaviour.  These were Marrowbone Park, Ballysillan Park, Orangefield/Avoniel and Dunville Park.

·        Programmes included a range of internal Council services providing in kind assistance (Sports Development and Parks Outreach) as well as working with local youth workers from within their existing budgets.

·        Feedback has been gathered from a range of community and voluntary organisations operating around the parks/open spaces (including youth workers) on the programme.

3.8       Next Steps

·        Feedback is being reviewed and the next stage of animation is being designed with local partners.

·        The focus remains on low cost options and working with existing youth and community resources to sustain the animation for as long a period as possible.  The approach being followed is outlined below:

Ø  Lead Council Officer to work with all existing Council services to align existing service delivery to the priority parks/open spaces.

Ø  Local engagement with Elected Members, residents, agencies and youth/community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6c

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 Strand 1 (EBA2020) into Year 4.  

2.0      Recommendations

2.1      The Committee is asked to:

·       Agree to the continuation of the delivery of Everybody Active 2020 Strand 1 programme to 31 March 2020 in partnership with our delivery partners, subject to funding being approved for release from Sport NI.

·               To agree to some additional programming to be coordinated by BCC officers (Programme Manager and Coordinator) where there is identified any potential underspend in budget or underperformance against any of the KPIS by our delivery Partners. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       Sport NI programme

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 commissiona blend of providers through a public process to deliver Belfast’sEverybody Active 2020targets.Officers have once again 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 2019-2020

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 indicated a budget of £468,074 for delivery of EBA2020 in Belfast for Year 4 (2019/20). Sport NI have indicated that a letter of offer will be received by Belfast City Council by early March 2019.

The Committee agreed that the matter be deferred to enable officers to submit an options paper to a future meeting which would include consideration of reducing the entrance fee charge to the Adventurous Playground.

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

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that requests had been received from the New Lodge Arts seeking support for its annual Spring Festivals event and also from the Families at the Waterworks Fishing Club to support the fourth year of the Celtic World Spey Casting Invitational Challenge Event at the Waterworks Park.

            The Director advised that the Spring Festival, which had been successfully held for the last five years, was a cross community event with activities held throughout the park.  New Lodge Arts had obtained funding for the event but it was seeking up to £3,000 financial support from the Council to assist with the overall cost of the event.

            The World Spey Casting event would bring world class fishermen from all over the globe to Belfast, with over fifty competitors and 250 spectators estimated daily. The group had requested a funding contribution of £12,500. 

            The Committee noted that both events would greatly enhance cross community relations and promote the City as a shared space. 

            Following a query as to whether some level of funding could be allocated to support the two events, the Strategic Director of Neighbourhood Services referred to the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting held on 23rd November 2018, where it had been agreed that no discretionary payments would be considered and no further re-allocation of money permitted until the year-end position had been considered by that Committee in June.  Therefore, he advised that the request for financial support for both events fell outside the available funding within the existing revenue budgets.

            Detailed discussion ensued, following which the Director of Finance provided the Committee with a detailed overview of the Council’s current financial position and reiterated that there could be no further discretionary payments or re-allocation of money until the year-end position had been considered in June.

            Following discussion, it was suggested that officers from the Council would, if possible, provide assistance to the organisations in identifying other funding streams.

            The Committee:

·        granted authority for the free use of Alexandra Park on 30th March to hold a Spring Festival, subject to completion of the appropriate Event Management Plans and on condition that the Event Organisers meet all statutory requirements, including Public Liability Insurance and provide the relevant Health and Safety documentation and Risk Assessments;

·        granted authority for the free use of the Waterworks Park from 17th – 19th May to hold the World Celtic Spey Casting Event, subject to completion of the appropriate Event Management Plans and on condition that the Event Organisers meet all statutory requirements, including Public Liability Insurance and provided relevant Health and Safety documentation and Risk Assessments; and

·        agreed that, as the request for financial support for both events fell outside of available funding within the existing revenue budgets, and as per the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee decision of 23rd November 2018, there would be no further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

The Committee approved the applications to erect second nameplates in Irish at Madrid Street, Springhill Rise, Glen Grove and Ardmonagh Gardens.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services reported that the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast had written to the Council regarding the use of the Barnett’s Demesne for its Belfast demonstrations on 12th July. 

            The Committee acceded to the request from the County Grand Lodge for the use of Barnett Demesne on the 12th July, subject to an appropriate legal agreement being prepared by Legal Services and also granted permission for use of the Cenotaph at City Hall for the Service of Remembrance and wreath laying.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            To identify proposals for a way forward on the supply and accessibility of salt for local communities during prolonged extreme weather conditions.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Note the issues set out in this report and agree the interim arrangements and proposal for a more sustainable solution.

 3.0      Main report

3.1       Further to a report to Committee in March 2018 regarding the provision of grit for communities during prolonged severe weather conditions Members requested a legal opinion on the Council’s position on supplying grit boxes for community use.

3.2       The report from Legal Services in December 2018 states that the statutory duty to treat roads and public places in snow and ice conditions falls to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).  The legislation provides DfI with an immunity if it fails to take action under the relevant statutory order.  However, as there is no statutory requirement for the Council to treat roads or to provide grit boxes for public use, the Council would not have similar immunity.

3.3       The provision of grit boxes had been suggested as a means of improving resilience in local areas during prolonged extreme weather conditions, but as this is not a viable option.  Officers are continuing to liaise with DfI to consider alternative solutions.  

3.4       Consideration was given to storing bags of salt in some of the sandbag containers located throughout the City.  However, these containers, supplied by DfI, are primarily for flood risk and resilience; they are made of steel and any leakage of salt would cause serious, corrosive damage rendering the containers useless for sandbag storage.  There would also be an issue of managing the logistics of two different products out of the one container.  

3.5       The current proposal under consideration is to store the salt in council owned premises giving priority to high risk locations, i.e. elevated areas more prone to snow and ice.  Given the legal opinion we are not considering public access, these resources would be for Members to direct for use in the community.  There are a number of options to be considered, for example, suitable locations, space, cost, weight of the bags, access arrangements, etc.  However, Members are asked to agree the direction of travel and the interim arrangements set out below.

3.6       It is proposed that in the meantime during prolonged severe, high impact cold weather, existing stocks of salt (25kg bags) are made available for Members’ use in the community, at appropriate council community/leisure centres or other council Sites.  Higher elevation residential areas would be prioritised where icy conditions are more prevalent and there’s more impact.  Additional lower lying areas can also receive stocks of salt as appropriate depending on severity and impact.

3.7       Suggested higher elevation areas and centres for salt bags could include:

·        Whitewell – Salt bags delivered to Finlay Park, Whitewell Road (storage container required)

·        Ballysillan - Salt bags delivered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8c

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services reminded the Committee that the Council had previously agreed to enter into Partner Agreements at seven sites and she then provided an update on the progress in relation to the Agreements for October – December 2018. 

            She explained that, in line with the Council’s objectives, all Partners had been compliant on reporting matters with the exception of two reports.  Both Partners had confirmed that the reports would be forwarded, but as a result, the quarter four payments had been held from these two Partners until the respective reports had been received.

            She explained that, in line with the Council’s objectives, the diversification of use and improved sports development impact were priorities at the partner agreement sites and she advised that so far the programme delivery had led to significant positive achievements across the sites.  She then drew the Members’ attention to a table which indicated the outputs at the sites as reported by all seven partners up to the end of December 2018. 

            The Committee noted the quarterly progress update report regarding the Partner Agreement sites.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter enable a report to be submitted to a future meeting which would detail the policy for such requests.

The Committee considered the following combined report which detailed requests to hold events in a number of Council parks and open spaces:

“1.0    Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek approval from Members to host events in our parks across the city, namely:

I.       Request for The Use of Lower Botanic Gardens for “Circus Extreme” event.

The Committee is asked to approve a request from The Great Russian Circus Ltd. forthe use of Lower Botanic Gardens from 19th August 2019 to 2nd September 2019 for a series of Circus Extreme performances.

The performances will take place each day between 22nd August and 1st September 2019, 2-10pm.

Circus Extreme is an international non-animal circus which features modern, traditional and speciality acts from all over the world. 

The show is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds.

§      The event willrequire the closure of part of the facility and will have alcohol on sale during the events

§      The organisers will sell tickets on site for the event

§      Alcohol will be on sale subject to appropriate licensing application

§      The organisers expect crowds of up to 1,200 per performance.

1.2            II.   Request use of Botanic Gardens for the Belfast Mela

The Committee is asked to approve a request from ArtsEkta to deliver an outdoor event, Belfast Mela, a multicultural festival for approximately 20,000 people, in Botanic Gardens.

The event will take place on 25 August, 2019, from 12 noon – 7.00pm and will require the closure of all or a substantial proportion of the facility. 

 1.3      III.    Belfast International Arts Festival in Botanic Gardens

Belfast International Arts Festival, has requested the use of Botanic Gardens for the delivery of an event as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival on Saturday 19th October and Sunday 20th October 2019. The event will require the closure of a proportion of the facility. 

 1.4      IV.     1 Day Music Festival in Lower Botanic Gardens

The purpose of the report is to obtain permission from Members for a 1 day music festival in lower Botanic Gardens on 27th July 2019.

 1.5         V.      Request for The Use of Victoria Park

The Committee is asked to note that the Council has received a request from Left Field to host their annual ‘Energia 24 Hour International Race’ at Victoria Park from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd June 2019.  Race to start on Saturday 22nd June at noon.

•        The event will result in the partial closure of Victoria Park.

2.0      Recommendations

2.1       I.   Request for The Use of Lower Botanic Gardens for “Circus Extreme” event.

            The Committee is asked to:

A.    Grant authority to Great Russian circus Ltd for the use and hire of the facilities at Lower Botanic Gardens for a series of circus performances between 22 August 2019 and 1 September 2019 with set up and take down before and afterwards.

B.    Grant authority to the Strategic Director of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8f