Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor McReynolds, Alderman McCoubrey and Councillors de Faoite and Mulholland.

The minutes of the meeting of 8th October were taken as read and signed as correct.

            No declarations of interest were recorded.

            The Committee approved the schedule of meetings for the People and Communities Committee as outlined below and agreed that all meetings would commence at 5.15 pm:

Tuesday, 14th January

Tuesday, 4th February

Tuesday, 18th February (Housing)

Tuesday, 3rd March

Tuesday, 7th April

Tuesday, 5th May (Housing)

Tuesday, 12th May

Tuesday, 9th June

Tuesday, 4th August (Housing)

Tuesday, 11th August

Tuesday, 8th September

Tuesday, 6th October

Tuesday, 3rd November (Housing)

Tuesday, 10th November

Tuesday, 8th December

            The Committee agreed that its meeting on 3rd December, 2019 commence at the earlier time of 4.30 p.m.

The information contained in the report associated with the following item 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 the following item as, due to the nature, 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 deferred consideration of the matter to enable a further report to be submitted:

·       To include a diary of events which have already been agreed by the Council on the use of Council owned-premises and facilities and other events being put on by external promoters which are not being held on Council-owned properties; and

·        Providing details of the impact of such events on Council provision and staff resources and how this might impact on other parts of the city.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1      The Council, at its meeting on the 2nd September 2019 considered a motion which had been moved by Alderman McCoubrey and seconded by Councillor Smyth:

1.2            ‘This Council recognises the need to improve play facilities for those Children with disabilities, and undertakes to engage with those in the sector who can best advice on making play facilities more accessible.

                 An audit should be undertaken of current facilities across the city and opportunities for disability improvements identified, work to be completed through the course of the current council term.’

1.3       At the People and Communities Committee meeting on the 10th September 2019 it was recommended that Committee consider the motion and take such action as may be determined.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the work undertaken to date by the Council in providing playground equipment across our sites for children with disabilities as part of the Councils on-going Playground Improvement Programme.

·        Agree the Council undertake a consultation exercise with relevant organisations who work closely with parents of children and young people with disabilities to gauge their thoughts and views on current playground facilities and what other improvements they would like to see, making them more accessible for their children.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The purpose of this report is to update Members on the current provision with regards to playground facilities for children with disabilities and our recommendation to undertake a consultation exercise with organisations who work closely with parents of children and young people with disabilities, giving consideration to children with sensory disabilities such as ADHD. The consultation will assist the Council in identifying future improvements to playground facilities, making them even more accessible for all.

3.2       Back in January 2019 the Council undertook an audit which was conducted by an Independent Playground Inspector (Register of Play Inspector International) RPII of all our playground facilities as part of a review to changing the design of our playground signage which would more clearly identify playground equipment suitable for appropriate ages and abilities.

3.3       The RPII independent Inspector’s report highlighted each individual piece of playground apparatus, manufacturer’s recommended age range and whether or not the unit would be suitable for a child with a disability however it didn’t include information regarding sensory requirements. (See Appendix 1 – example of individual playground/age range report) and (Appendix 2 – Example of the new playground signage).

3.4       The new playground signage is now in place along with the appropriate ‘Age Range’ stickers being attached to playground apparatus. 

3.5       Over the past several years the Council has made significant strides to install more inclusive playground equipment as part of the Councils Playground Improvement Programme (See Appendix 3 – Example of recently installed playground which shows the variety of inclusive playground equipment). The Council continues to install inclusive equipment and for the first time the Council will be installing a specific wheelchair friendly swing seat as part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee considered the following motion which had been proposed by Councillor Mulholland and seconded by Councillor Smyth and, in accordance with Standing Order 13(f), be referred to the Committee for consideration:

“Following on from the 20th year of Parenting Week last week, this Council recognises the vital importance of parents to society.

Further, it notes with concern that 82% of parents indicated in the most recent “Big Parenting Survey”, that they felt that parents do not get enough support.

In order to bring attention to this and to attempt to redress this, the Council formally supports Parenting NI’s ‘Parenting in the Picture’ campaign. This Council pledges to work towards implementing the promises and commitments contained in this campaign.

To do this, the Council commits to conduct an audit of existing initiatives it delivers to support parents with a view to working with the voluntary and community sector, as well as other partners, to explore if such initiatives may be improved as well as seek to bring forward new programmes to support our parents.”

            The Committee noted the motion and agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting outlining how this might be facilitated, resourced and managed.

            The Committee considered the following motion which had been proposed by Councillor McAteer and seconded by Councillor Black.  The motion had been referred to the Committee by the Council in accordance with Standing order 13(f):

“In December last year, NISRA published Excess Winter Mortality figures for the period 2017/18 which revealed the second highest recorded number of excess winter deaths in the north of Ireland since data began in 1974/75. Further, these shocking statistics recorded that the number of excess winter deaths in the north had more than doubled since 2015.

2017/18  statistics record that 1,500 people died, who were classed as Excess Winter Deaths and of these 22% or 320 people, were from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. These deaths are Avoidable Winter Deaths and even one is too many. Unfortunately, it is our citizens aged over 65 who are most affected, particularly those vulnerable elderly people aged 85+.

The increase in winter deaths is widely understood to be down to the flu and spells of very cold weather - yet these deaths are avoidable.  A combination of high energy prices, fuel poverty, ill health, low income and poor housing can make winter a dangerous time for many older people.

As we await the NISRA figures for 2018/19 and approach the upcoming winter, this Council will do all in its power to effectively act on avoidable winter deaths. This Council welcomes the joined up multi-sectoral approach that will focus on preventing avoidable Winter Deaths through Belfast’s Community Planning Process and will also convene and facilitate a meeting of Belfast’s community, voluntary and social enterprise agencies who focus on protecting and supporting older vulnerable people, to identify, develop and support innovative programmes that can be deployed and co-ordinated to prevent avoidable deaths in our city over the upcoming winter.”

            The Committee noted the motion and agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting outlining how this might be facilitated, resourced and managed.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       At its meeting on the 23rd August 2019, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted an update report and progress achieved in relation to the City and Neighbourhood

            Service (CNS) Transition and Improvement Programme (T&IP), including the ongoing development a new Open Spaces and Streetscene Service.

1.2       The purpose of this report is to provide Members with a further update on the progress of the development of the Open Spaces and Streetscene, and to set out next steps.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to

·        note the contents of the report and the progress achieved in relation to the creation of the new Open Spaces and Streetscene service since August 2019. The Committee is also asked to the note the further work planned in this review.

·        Members are also asked to note that this report will be presented to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for noting.

3.0       Main report

            Key issues

3.1       The development of the new Open Spaces and Streetscene (OSS) service is a priority project in the CNS Transformation & Improvement Programme. The development of this new service directly supports the delivery of the outcomes, objectives and priorities within the Belfast Agenda, Corporate Plan and the Council’s Improvement plan, reflected in the OSS vision to create:

3.2       ‘A service where we see it, do it, or report it. We have pride in our work, maintain environmental standards, and work together to maintain the public realm with and for our city’s residents and visitors.’

3.3       Consultation at the Open Spaces and Streetscene Management and Trade Union Sub-group has been ongoing since February 2019, and has included detailed consultation on the draft job descriptions which were set out in a detailed proposal document. Comprehensive written information and feedback has been provided to staff and Trade Unions as part of this consultation process.

3.4       Other direct and extensive engagement has also taken place with staff at all levels in the legacy services of Parks and Street Cleansing, as well as affected staff in Resources and Fleet. This has included:

-       context briefings organised for approximately 100 managers and supervisors in August 2019;

-       19 staff briefings which took place across the city during September and October 2019, reaching approximately 500 staff and;

-       five staff ‘surgeries’ which took place across the city in late October 2019, to facilitate one to one, and small group sessions with affected staff;

-       a number of management and trade union representatives participated in a two day study visit to comparator councils in Nottingham and Wakefield in October 2019, supported by the Association for Public Services Excellence (APSE).

-       Staff engagement will continue over the coming months, with further staff briefings being planned for the new year.

3.5       Consultation on the new staff OSS structure and job descriptions is now complete. Transfer mechanisms to be applied to move current posts and permanent post-holders from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Members will recall that at the People and Communities Committee meeting of 8th October 2019, a report was presented to the Committee summarising current ambient air quality conditions and challenges across the city. The report also provided background information on the introduction of low emission zones. At the conclusion of the Committee, and having considered the content of the report, Members agreed that a report would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee on how the council might undertake a detailed air quality assessment for the city, including measuring for PM_2.5.

1.2       This report therefore provides an overview to Members of the various requirements and components of a detailed assessment for the city for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), based upon the requirements of the government’s Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQM.TG(16) document and the various other technical guidance provided on the Defra Local Air Quality Management Support website.

1.3       This report also provides an estimate of the likely cost and duration of a detailed assessment for the city and suggests a number of elements to developing our approach to this in the recommendations.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to note the contents of this report and agree to the following actions:

·        This committee writes to the Permanent secretary for DAERA with an invite to address committee on the strategic policy position of the emerging concerns around air quality and on the Departmental action on achieving the Program for Government target around improving air quality in light of emerging evidence on health impacts.

·        Recommend that BCC sets its own air quality ambitions in a new Air Quality Plan, that is due to be written in 2020 and to include the review of Air Quality Management Areas in light of evidence and emerging standards  and agree that officers are tasked with looking at best practice and engage with  other Local authorities who are progressing this agenda and seek some expert advice on the best and most effective way to achieve actions round improving air quality,  so that we seek to inform solution based outcomes linked to the Belfast Agenda. As part of this process members would be invited to participate in a workshop with input from relevant knowledgeable / experienced speakers.  

·        Members are requested to note the estimated costs of commissioning an appropriately experienced environmental consultancy to undertake a detailed assessment for nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, to note that there are  also staff resources required internally to support this, and the timescales to deliver and agree  that officers  are to consider all the above steps to inform how this could be managed within the revenue estimates.  In light of the resource implications and cross cutting issues, this report will also be brought before the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that the matter be referred to the Working Group on the Climate Crises, given the need to ensure the interconnectedness around these agendas, with a recommendation that it host a meeting, to which all Members of the Council would be invited, to commence initial discussions with representatives of the Department of Infrastructure and other relevant organisations/stakeholders on the designation of a car free day in 2020, with such discussions to consider the impact on residential areas close to the city.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       For Members information, previous People and Communities Committee requested regular updates on ongoing work to encourage positive animation of Council parks/open spaces as a way of deterring anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

1.2       This emerged as a result of ongoing concerns raised with Elected Members about the impact of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in parks/open spaces and the impact of this on the positive use and animation of these spaces in communities.

1.3       Ongoing review of reported anti-social behaviour and feedback from Elected Members identified a small number of parks, open spaces where it was agreed a co-ordinated focus with other statutory organisations, and communities would add value.  These were Falls Park/City Cemetery, Orangefield Park/Avoniel Park, Marrowbone Park, Dunville Park and Ballysillan Park.

1.4       Additionally, at full Council in March 2019, Elected Members requested regular updates to future People and Communities Committee on the ongoing work to positively animate these parks/open spaces and how Council managed ongoing vandalism.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        note the contents of this report and support the ongoing work to positively animate parks/open spaces

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Ongoing review of local, regional and national best practice indicates that one of the most effective ways of addressing anti-social behaviour and vandalism is to positively animate parks/open spaces by creating a sense of ownership and empowerment amongst users.  This includes young people, who often gather in parks/open spaces as a way to positively socialise.  It is however, recognised that young people are often gathering in parks/open spaces at times when they are closed and particularly after dark which can create additional vulnerabilities for those young people.

3.2       Ongoing review of reported anti-social behaviour, input from Elected Members and Council Officers has identified that the parks/open spaces, which are causing most concern in relation to serious anti-social behaviour at present, are Marrowbone Park, Falls Park/City Cemetery and Girdwood.

3.3       General Animation

            Council Parks Outreach and Open Spaces and Active Living Teams work closely with local schools, youth and community groups throughout the year running positive events and activities in our parks/open spaces.  This work helps create a positive relationship between participants and the parks/open spaces and increased respect and civic pride.  Examples include:

·        Outdoor Education Sessions

·        Biodiversity Sessions

·        Park Life Schools Programme

·        Park Life Saturday Club

·        Family Fun Days

·        Growing Workshops

·        Historical and Cultural Guided Walks

·        Community Clean Ups

            Council also works with a range of external organisations who support Councils’ objective of positively animating our parks/open spaces.  These include community and cultural events, Park Runs and music events.

            Targeted Animation at Current Priority Sites

            Marrowbone Park Millennium Park

3.4

·        City and Neighbourhood Services provides ongoing co-ordination to animate Marrowbone Park, with recent animation taking place over four consecutive weekends in late summer 2019.  Combined efforts involved Ardoyne Youth Enterprises (AYE), Ulster Rugby, Sustrans, Council Parks Outreach, Ardoyne GAA, Council Community Development and Council Sports  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

            The Committee agreed to hold an all Members’ workshop to discuss Greenways on a city-wide basis on 16th January, 2020 at 5.00 pm, subject to availability of proposed speakers.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided information on the decisions taken by the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services, under the Authority Delegated to him, regarding the applications received in Tranche 2 for events taking place in parks between 1st October, 2019 and 31st March, 2020.

            The Committee noted a report which provided details on its updated current financial position and the corrective action to support an improvement.

            The Committee approved the following applications for naming new streets and the continuation of an existing street in the City:

            The Committee approved the application for a second street nameplate in Irish at Slemish Way.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes and the recommendations from theReference Group on Older People meeting held on 22nd August, 2019.

            The Committee:

                       i.          approved a request to extend the current seasonal arrangements for BCC Community and Play Centres to be closed to the public for a defined period at Christmas 2019 and Easter 2020, subject to staff taking annual leave for any days that are not statutory holidays; and

                     ii.          Noted that any staff wanting to work over these periods on the non-statutory holidays would be facilitated.