Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were reported from Alderman McCoubrey and Councillor McMullan.

            The minutes of the meetings of 5th and 20th November 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 December.

            Councillors Black, Corr and Verner declared an interest in respect of item 2a – Community Development Grants Programme 2020/21, in that they worked for or were associated with organisations, which had applied for funding, and they left the meeting whilst that item was under consideration.

The information contained in the reports associated with the following 2 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 the following 2 items as, due to their 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 considered a report which provided an update on the Community Development Grants Programme 2020/21 and which sought approval to progress funding allocations based on grant funding bands and budgetary constraints for the Capacity Building and Revenue for Community Building Grants.

            After discussion, the Committee:

·        agreed that officers would move to final allocations on the basis of the 4 band system and the associated scoring ranges for each band;

·        agreed that the shortfall in funding be brought to the attention of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and request that this be considered as part of the rate setting process; and

·        agreed that officers produce a funding allocation report for Members’ consideration in January.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       At the meeting of the People and Communities Committee on 5th November 2019, a Motion regarding Action on Avoidable Winter Deaths was passed. The Motion called on Council ‘to ‘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’.

1.2       This report outlines action being taken by Council and its partners to identify and support older people who may be vulnerable during the upcoming winter period and provides a list of available services for Members information.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the content of this report; and

·        Agree to support the communication of winter messages and services.

3.0       Main Report

            Background

3.1       The Belfast Agenda sets out the ambition to reduce the gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived neighbourhoods of the city by 33% and gives a commitment to ensure the needs of older people are met through the Age-friendly Belfast approach and that health inequalities are addressed by the design and delivery of integrated multi-agency city programmes.

3.2       The Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP) co-ordinates the interagency Age-friendly Belfast Plan and as part of its work convenes a Winter Planning Group who lead on communications regarding winter planning with older people each year in Belfast. Two city wide meetings take place in August and November each year involving a wide range of organisations from the community, voluntary and statutory services in Belfast (including Belfast City Council emergency planning and affordable warmth leads).  The purpose of these meetings and ongoing communications is to:

·        Maintain a list of ‘services to support people in the winter’

·        Update a comprehensive list of contacts for circulation of information in extreme weather-this is tested in November by Elma Greer and used to inform contacts of extreme weather warnings and additional initiatives or contact centres that are enacted

·        Update each other on specific plans that each organisations has for the winter period.

·        Circulate an up-to date list of organisations that distribute winter warmth packs to older people, families, and vulnerable groups of people at risk of fuel poverty and with specific conditions

3.3       As part of the work to reduce avoidable winter deaths, the winter planning group and other local contacts have been involved in the Living Here Board workshop on Avoidable Winter Deaths in October. Additional communications are also being provided on general messages for people to keep warm in the winter. 

3.4       Working with our Community Planning partners through the Living Here Board, the issue of avoidable winter deaths was identified as a priority requiring a multi-agency approach. This was supported by the publication of Excess Winter Death (2017-18) statistics by NISRA which showed an increase of 220% in deaths since 2015-16 for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To respond to a notice of motion from the 20 September Strategic Policy and Resources Committee calling for the elimination of single use items and an overall review of the Council’s purchasing of materials and internal waste management;

1.2      'This Council recognises the significant detrimental effect that single use items have in Belfast; calls for the creation of an internal strategy to do away with single use item usage; and, agrees to review our internal waste policies alongside supporting any resulting recommendations with appropriate funding and necessary resources'

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The committee is asked to approve the following recommendations

·        The implementation of a centralised recycling and waste collection system for the entire Council estate.

·        To broaden the remit of the Social Values working group to consider how to eradicate single use items through more effective purchasing procedures, assessed against the waste hierarchy and the wider sustainable agenda.

·        To participate with Queen’s University Belfast in the application of ESPRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences research Council) funding in the establishment of Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre to better inform future Council decision making).

3.0       Main report

            Background and Context

3.1       The issue of single use plastics has come to the forefront of public attention as a result of BBC’s ‘The Blue Planet’ programme which highlighted the stark consequences of our failure to manage the plastic we produce to meet our daily needs. However, we must ensure that we focus our attention on the issue of single use as simply substituting plastics with other single use items i.e. paper does not necessarily lead to better environmental outcomes with regard to either littering or CO2 production.

3.2       We must not lose sight of how plastic has transformed our lives and plays a significant role in reducing pollution in other areas. The problem stems from society and policy makers having limited regard for the wider ramifications of unfettered plastic consumption combined with poor collection and disposal infrastructure.

3.3       Commendably the Council continues to invest heavily in behaviour change through the creation of outreach teams for both littering and recycling plus accompanying advertising budgets, resulting in recycling rates currently at 44% and litter behaviour decreasing year on year. Further work is required within both the council and our communities to reduce the amount of waste we produce and improving the capture of ever more items for recycling.

3.4       Both the EU and UK governments have taken the issue of single use plastics and sought to build a policy framework that EU member states and the UK to can work towards to eliminate their use.

3.5       As part of the Circular Economy Package adopted in early 2018, the European Commission is working on a directive to influence the demand, usage and disposal of the top 10 most commonly littered SUP items found in seas. The Single Use Plastic Directive which was adopted on the 5 June 2019 includes the following initiatives;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in March, the City Growth and Regeneration Committee had agreed to support a pilot public art project that focused on a number of the city centre utility boxes.  It had been based on a similar project, which had been undertaken in Dublin, called the “Dublin Canvas”. 

            The “Belfast Canvas” project had got under way in early Summer 2019.  In line with the Committee’s agreement, the project had focused on the city’s retail core and the Cathedral Quarter area.  To date, professional street artists had painted 18 utility boxes.

            The Committee had agreed also that, following the initial works, the second phase of the pilot would be to engage communities to work with the professional artists in developing designs for a number of additional boxes.  Work was set to get under way on that element of the programme in the coming weeks.  It would involve up to six local community groups across the city.  The engagement work would happen in the communities and the artists would then take the designs based on the community input and replicate these on the utility boxes.  When completed, there will be a total of 22 utility boxes painted as part of this pilot phase.

            The Committee was reminded further that in March the City Growth and Regeneration Committee had discussed what the next steps in the process might be, subject to satisfactory progress with the pilot scheme.  It had been proposed that the phase two of the project might focus on the BRT route, engaging communities from both east and west of the city in the design process, working alongside the professional artists.  Council officers would give further consideration to this proposal before it was submitted to the Committee and would set out details of how the engagement might take place and how the project might align with other activities taking place in those areas. 

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had agreed previously, through the January 2018 Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, to provide £200,000 to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association Ulster Branch (IABA) in the current financial year for delivery of an agreed action plan supporting the Belfast Boxing Strategy.

            In line with the Council’s objective, the Belfast Boxing Strategy Steering Group met quarterly.  The Steering Group was chaired by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, with Council Officers, IABA Officers and Officials and County Antrim Board Officials also attending.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had previously agreed a total of 34 Indicators with IABA to monitor delivery of the programmes.  The Director reported that the IABA had been compliant with all the reporting matters.  

            The Committee noted the quarterly progress update report.

The Committee considered the following report and adopted the recommendations:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To advise Members on the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) consultation on the Waste Management Plan for Northern Ireland and to provide a response to the consultation.  The response closes on 11 December 2019.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

·        agree the draft response to the DAERA consultation exercise regarding the Waste Management Plan for Northern Ireland and agree that the draft is forwarded to DAERA before 11 December 2019, but they will be advised that the response may be subject to change following the full the meeting of Council on 6th January 2020.

3.0       Main report

3.1       On 1 May 2019, the Board of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) agreed to consult on a Waste Management Plan for Northern Ireland (WMPNI) by 31 December 2019. The consultation opened on 16 October 2019 and will conclude after eight weeks at 4pm on Wednesday 11 December 2019.

3.2       The revised Waste Framework Directive 20081 (rWFD) requires Member States to produce one or more waste management plans which cover, alone or in combination, the geographical territory of the Member State concerned. As waste is a devolved matter, the other UK devolved administrations and Gibraltar are preparing their own waste management plans which cover their geographical territories and which, together with this plan, are needed to meet the requirements of the rWFD.

3.3       Appendix 1 includes a copy of the letter to consultees dated 16 October 2019, appendix 2 includes a draft copy of the Waste Management Plan for Northern Ireland, while appendix 3 includes a draft response to the consultation.

3.4       The core aim of the plan is to bring current waste management policies under the umbrella of one national plan; it is not the intention of the WMPNI to introduce new policies or to change the landscape of how waste is managed in Northern Ireland. 

3.5       Officer discussions have taken place on the consultation of the WMPNI through the Technical Advisors Group for Northern Ireland. The officer view is that this is essentially a technical consultation as can be seen from the consultation question posed by the Department and one which is necessitated merely by compliance with EU timescales;

3.6       Will the Waste Management Plan for Northern Ireland (WMPNI), including its constituent parts (detailed on page 5 of the WMPNI), when combined with the location specific guidance in the waste planning policy - meet the requirements of Article 28 of the revised Waste Framework Directive and the additional requirements as detailed in Schedule 3 to the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (see Appendix 1)? If not, what else is, in your view, needed?

3.7       As a consequence, the considered officer view is that while the WMPNI does appear to meet the requirements of Article 28 of the rWFD  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

            The Committee was advised that Council officers, along with representatives from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), had met with the Lord Mayor on 22nd October to discuss recent notices of motion made in relation to homelessness, mental health and injecting drug use.

            The officers from the three organisations had updated the Lord Mayor on existing structures and work already taking place in relation to addressing these issues and discussion had then taken place on how elected Members could become better informed about the work and plans of these agencies and partnerships, as well as become better placed to influence, and support, priorities and planned action within these topic areas and structures.

            One potential solution proposed at the meeting was that the “health family”, that is, the PHA and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT), could be asked to provide twice-yearly written updates to elected Members via the People and Communities Committee, a similar arrangement as to that which already exists with the NIHE, on their plans for addressing homelessness, mental health and substance misuse in the City, with the Committee then having the option of requesting more detailed information, or a verbal presentation, by way of follow up.

            The Committee:

·        granted approval to have regular health briefings (bi-annually); and

·        agreed that Council officers liaise with colleagues in PHA, HSCB and BHSCT to design and agree a reporting template, with the aim of having the first health-focussed report presented early in the New Year.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which summarised the Quarter 2financial position for the People and Communities Committee, including a forecast of the year end outturn.  It noted that the Quarter 2 position showed an under spend of £154k,  with the forecast year end position being an overspend of £544k (0.7%) which was well within the acceptable variance limit of 3%.

            The Committee was advised that The Department of Finance had directed the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) to deliver Dormant Accounts funding in Northern Ireland.

            The NLCF had opened a consultation exercise until the end of December, 2019 and were engaging with the voluntary community and social enterprise sector to determine how this non-lottery funding should be delivered.

            The Committee noted the report and the consultation framework; agreed to receive a further report on the NLCF findings and associated strategic action plan in February, 2020; and agreed that any response should include a comment that an element of the funding should be targeted at an education programme for disadvantaged younger people to help them with financial management.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To advise committee of Sport NI ‘Your School Your Club’ funding and applications submitted from schools in Belfast City Council area.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       That Committee agrees to note;

·        the support for two applications to Sport NI, Your School Your Club funding.

·        that further information on how Sport NI intend to roll out the 20/21 fund will be provided to Members in the future, including clarification on what role is expected of Council.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       BACKGROUND

            Your School Your Club is an initiative to promote community use of school sports facilities. The opening of the school sports estate to community and club use will have a major impact on the provision of sports facilities throughout Northern Ireland. Your School Your Club seeks to develop strategic partnerships in order to revitalise existing sports facilities or to develop new/additional provision.

3.2       The Your School Your Club Joint Working Group is governed by the Department for Communities (DfC); current membership includes DfC, Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), representatives of District Councils, Department for Education (DE), Education Authority (EA) and Sport Northern Ireland.

3.3       Sport NI have not widely advertised access to the fund and Council was approached directly by the two schools requests requesting support for their submissions as Sport NI required Council sign off of the applications before the deadline 13 November 2019.

3.4       Given the fact that Council has no prior notice of this fund being available and that there was insufficient time between Council being approached by the schools and the deadline set by Sport NI for Committee consideration the applications were signed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services under delegated authority.

3.5       Council officers intend to meet with Sport NI to clarify how they intend to manage the 20/21 fund, to include how they will advertise and make all potential applicants aware of the availability of funding.  Further information will be provided to Members following that meeting.

3.6       INVESTMENT

            Sport Northern Ireland on behalf of the Your School Your Club Working Group is establishing a list of potential projects that would benefit from support and funding this financial year (i.e. no later than 31 March 2020). Sport Northern Ireland has a capital budget of £300,000 remaining for 2019/20, to assist the implementation of the outcomes envisaged by Your School Your Club. Sport Northern Ireland hopes to bid for additional capital funds in future years. These projects will involve schools that make their sports facilities open to the community/clubs if the appropriate sports facility infrastructure is provided. Successful projects will be predicated on the principle that schools involved are committed to making their sports facilities accessible to sports clubs/local communities subject to the provision of fit for purpose and appropriate (sports) infrastructure.

3.7       FUNDING THRESHOLDS

            Potential funding will be considered on a project by project basis within the following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

            The Committee noted a report which provided information on the use and condition of the bowling pavilions within the Council’s parks across the City, including their current status, and whether they were currently being used by any groups and whether any repairs were required.

            The Committee noted the quarterly progress report in relation to Partner Agreements at seven sites and that all Partners had been compliant on reporting matters and financial checks for Quarter 2.

            The Committee approved the applications to erect a second street nameplate in Irish at North Link, Tardree Park, Norglen Gardens, Avoca Close, Monagh Grove and Norglen Parade.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1     Over the past year the City & Neighbourhood Services Department has received a number of requests from Elected representatives for a range of improvements to our Parks and Open Spaces.  These include a notice of motion relating to the provision of artificial lighting in Parks and Water Refill points on Council property.  We have also received request to provide re-cycling bins in Parks and to review the hours are Parks are open to the public.

1.2       If introduced all of these improvements have the potential to enhance and improve how we use our Parks and open spaces.  However more work is needed to consider all the impacts from each and to estimate their cost.  The views of users will also need to be gauged. This report is to update members on the range of requests received and to inform members of the framework within which these requests will be considered moving forward.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1      The Committee is recommended to;

·          Note the contents of this report.

3.0      Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Our green and blue infrastructure including our Parks affects the quality of life for everyone in our city. It helps to define a sense of place and the character of our communities; provides important spaces for recreation with associated health and wellbeing benefits and strengthens the resilience of our natural environment to change. Protecting these assets and enhancing the benefits that they provide is therefore integral to the future of Belfast.

3.2       This is a transformational time for our city, with the Belfast Agenda setting out shared commitments across public services to an ambitious vision to create a better quality of life for us all.

3.3       The  Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan (GBIP) sets the strategic spatial framework, vision and five strategic principles for the future delivery, management and enhancement of the whole green and blue infrastructure network; helping to meet the outcomes envisaged in the Belfast Agenda’s vision. It is supported by a number of other strategies which focus on specific sub-sets of green and blue infrastructure, such as the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy (BOSS).  As BOSS evolves this will inform and future site based plans including future infrastructure improvements and how are Parks and Open spaces will be used. 

3.4       In order for our Parks and Open Spaces to work effectively they will need to be well designed, regularly maintained and appropriately funded.  This needs to be recognized and used to help attract sustainable funding to ensure the benefits from any future improvements are fully realized.

3.5       Provision of Artificial Lighting to our Parks 

            We currently have approximately 300 km of road and pathways in our Parks and Open Spaces. To inform any potential lighting scheme a piece of work needs to be undertaken   that will consider issues such as any impact on crime and ASB, any impact on landscape character and wildlife habitats and ultimately costings in relation to purchasing and installing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the ongoing work of Belfast City Council’s Youth Forum (BYF).  The report outlined the main developments in BYF work in the following areas:

·        Relationship and sexual health education project

·        Mental health campaign

·        Poverty campaign

·        Racism and diversity project

·        BYF recruitment

·        Formalising youth participation structures within BCC

·        Queens University “B-RADICAL” research project

            The Committee:

                      I.     agreed the three suggested meeting dates between the People and Communities Committee and the Belfast Youth Forum;

                     II.     agreed to BCC being a partner stake holder organisation in the Queens University ‘B-RADICAL’ research project; and

                   III.     to grant permission for BYF recruitment to begin in April 2020.

            It noted also the main developments and updates in the paper, particularly in relation to:

                      I.     the findings and recommendations contained in the BYF ‘Any Use?’ research report;

                     II.     BYF campaigns updates;

                   III.     BYF recruitment timelines

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 5th November, it had considered requests for the use of the Botanic Gardens for the following events

1.      Tomorrowland, a Music Event in Lower Botanic Gardens on 25th July, 2020; and

2.      A Beer and Cider Event, 5th -9th May, 2020 in the Great Lawn area in Botanic Gardens

            Those requests had been deferred pending a future report which showed all of the planned events around the spring/summer period of 2020.  Accordingly, the Committee considered a report in this regard, following which it approved the use of the Botanic Gardens for the events outlined, subject to the organiser:

·        resolving all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

·        meeting all statutory requirements including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, and licensing responsibilities;

·        consulting with adjoining public bodies and local communities as necessary and,

·        the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services levying the relevant fee for the event company and authorising the level of any necessary bond of intent and reinstatement bond.

            The Committee was reminded that, over the past number of years, the Council had established a successful partnership with the organisers of Belfast Mela.  The event was well received by audiences and added significantly to the attractiveness of the Council’s parks and open spaces.  The partnership had delivered a diverse range of events which have had wide appeal for local communities, as well as attracting significant numbers of tourists and visitors to Council assets.  This year the Council had a received a request from the Director of ArtsEkta to use the Botanic Gardens for the Belfast Mela on 29th and 30th August 2020.

            In previous years the Council had provided financial support through a number of different funding streams, including the Core Multi-Annual programme, Community Festival Fund and City and Neighbourhood Services.  Each funding strand had been managed via separate funding contracts and monitored independently.   In an effort to streamline the management of the Council’s funding contribution and impact monitoring, future funding (from 2020) contributions to the Mela would be awarded within the context of the Cultural Strategy and would be facilitated through the Council’s Economic Development unit. 

            The event would require the closure of all or a substantial proportion of the facility, and would result in restricted access to the general public.  The proposed timescale from set up to take down of the event was from 23rd August to 1st September, 2020, inclusive.

            ArtsEkta had requested permission also to collect an entrance fee in the region of £5 per adult / child and access would be restricted to ticket holders only.  In addition, the organisers would undertake consultation with other local stakeholders, such as Queens University, the Lyric Theatre, local residents groups and the Friends of Botanic Gardens.

            The Committee:

·        Approved the proposal from ArtsEkta to deliver an outdoor event, called Belfast Mela, in Botanic Gardens, subject to the following:

-        that the appropriate legal agreements, including bond arrangements are prepared to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor;

-        the Event Organisers are required to meet all statutory requirements and responsibilities including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, Food Safety and entertainment licensing;

-        the timely payment of the bond as required in the legal agreements;

-        Event Organisers shall consult with public bodies and local communities as necessary.

-        The preparation of an event management plan which will be subject to the organisers liaising with Council officers and meeting all statutory, legal and Health and safety requirements; and

-        Noted that the organisers would also be required to reinstate all Council property to its original condition after use and would be reminded that the current ground conditions and location of this event might have to change due to adverse weather conditionswhich shall cover all aspects of management including health and safety, access and will comply with the current events policy.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of the report is to update Members on the ParkLife Education Programme and in particular, present for their consideration and agreement, an evaluation undertaken of the Programme in 2018/19 by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        note the contents of the report and the continued success of the ParkLife Education Programme;

·        consider and endorse the ParkLife Evaluation report including key findings and recommendations; and

·        support the related publicity and the sharing of the learning from the Programme.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       The ParkLife Education Programme uses and promotes the Council’s parks and open spaces as a resource for outdoor learning. The Programme has been in operation since 2007 and is delivered under contract, by Ulster Wildlife, along with Council staff.  The Programme has three main elements: schools, Saturday Clubs and community groups.  In 2016, QUB was commissioned as external evaluators to examine the effectiveness of the school element of the Programme, establish an evidence base for the benefits of outdoor learning as well as help guide the future delivery of the Programme. 

3.2       The findings from the 2016/17 evaluation indicated that the ParkLife Education Programme was a positive experience for the children who attended it, should be regarded as an example of good practice and the findings should be widely publicised.  The report recommended that the evaluation should be repeated at a later date to increase the sample size, build a larger evidence base and include a qualitative study with focus groups, to enable a deeper analysis of their understanding of the Programme and its impact on them.

3.3       The findings from the report were subsequently publicised and a launch took place in February 2018 and copies of the evaluation report were circulated widely including to all schools involved with the Programme.  

3.4       A second evaluation of the Programme was therefore undertaken by QUB in 2018/19 and many of the same measures were used, to enable comparability between both evaluations.  The Primary outcomes were that as a result of taking part in the Programme, the children will:

§  spend more time engaging with nature in their local parks;

§  have learned more about their local park; and

§  be more connected to nature.

3.5       The Secondary outcomes were that, as a result of taking part in the Programme, the children will:

§  have more positive attitudes towards and awareness of environmental sustainability;

§  have more positive attitudes to learning outdoors; and

§  rate their health and well-being as higher.

3.6       Key Findings

            The evaluation was undertaken between September 2018 and June 2019 in eight schools.  171 children completed an on-line pre-programme and post-programme questionnaire and twelve children from two schools took part in two focus groups.

3.7       The evaluation presents robust evidence that the Programme has a positive impact for all of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7f

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To respond to the motion raised at the Council meeting of 1st November 2018 and re-iterated at the Committee meeting of 6th August 2019, namely;

            ‘This Council is committed to increasing household recycling across the city of Belfast; notes the colossal impact waste is having on our oceans, cities and countrysides; welcomes the recent waste consultation; and will commit to introducing glass recycling in households across the city of Belfast as soon as possible.’

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the report.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       The provision of a kerbside glass collection scheme is a matter frequently raised by Members on behalf of their constituents. This report examines the various collection options and in particular the desire by Members to explore the possibility of expediting such a scheme, in light of the indicative time frame associated with the implementation of a Wheelie-box scheme throughout the city, as noted in the committee meeting of 6th August 2019.

3.2       Currently, around 80,000 households (54%) within Belfast have access to a kerbside collection of glass.  The total volume of glass captured through kerbside schemes is approximately 3,800 tonnes per annum, contributing 2.5% per annum to the city’s recycling rate. It is estimated that there is around 6,100 tonnes of glass per annum which remains in the residual bins and which is destined for landfill.  

3.3       Members will be aware that the Council conducted an options appraisal on recycling collection schemes in 2017. This piece of work examined a number of options for the collection of dry recyclables, including glass, from an environmental, financial and legal compliance perspectives. The results were presented to the November 2018 committee.  In summary, after consideration of the factors outlined above, the preferred approach which was agreed and carried forward into the public consultation exercise conducted in Summer 2018, was that based on the Wheelie-box approach with proposed restrictions to residual waste.

3.4       Notwithstanding the results of the collections options appraisal, the following sections examine the various kerbside glass collection schemes deployed by Local Authorities with commentary on their pros and cons and indicative timeframes for deployment. The timeframes for deployment include key issues such as; governance processes, procurement exercises, lead times for vehicles and containers, Communications and then the delivery of the scheme on the ground. In all instances the roll-out is on a phased basis which, while slower, allows for assessment, bedding-in and corrective action if required. This is a realistic and reduced risk approach to deployment.

3.5       A kerbside sort scheme (Wheelie-box or Bryson Recycling scheme) collects a range of dry recyclables including glass in separate boxes and these are stored is separate stillage compartments on a Resource Recovery vehicle (RRV).  The focus of this scheme is on the collection of higher quality materials to deliver higher income yield and support local re-processors rather than relying upon the export of these resources.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7g

            The Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To advise Committee of progress with the Stadia Community Benefits Initiative and update on the action plan.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Consider the content of the report.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The Council has been undertaking the Leisure Transformation Programme to renew its Leisure facilities across the City. This Programme has been influenced by the Partnership opportunities presented by the NI Executive Stadia Programme.

3.2       The Council, Department for Communities (DfC) and the Irish Football Association (IFA) have recognised the opportunities presented by the Stadia Programme, have committed to work together to maximise these benefits, and have agreed to establish a Stadium Community Benefits Initiative as part of the Belfast Community Benefits Initiative (‘the Project’) to implement and deliver agreed objectives including promoting equality, tackling poverty, and tackling social exclusion within the Belfast area.

3.3       In March 2016 the Council, DfC and IFA signed an agreement which sets out their respective commitments to the project. As other major stadia are developed in Belfast it is anticipated that other sports governing bodies shall become parties to the agreement. At its April 2018 meeting People and Communities committee agreed that Council would work with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) within the Stadia Community Benefits Initiative and recognised their significant planned investment in gaelic games in the city to support their Gaelfast strategy. GAA activities are now fully incorporated into the action plan in this financial year with Gaelfast staff imbedded into the governance structure at Communications Board, Delivery Board, Policy and Performance Board.

3.4       The agreement is for a period of ten years with financial commitment from Council and IFA in place to the end of March 2026. Delivery is managed through monthly meetings of the Delivery Board which reports quarterly to the Policy and Performance Board. Financial and performance reports will be presented to Council and other partners’ Boards as necessary. Formal review of the agreement will be carried out in years 5 and 10.

3.5       The Policy & Performance Group is responsible for agreeing the Benefits Realisation Plan and associated annual targets. Work was undertaken to ensure the end benefits/outcomes are aligned to partners’ strategies. To measure the progress of this the Council and the IFA have developed a range of indicators/intermediate benefits which are monitored through programme delivery:

a.      Number of coaching sessions provided

b.     Number of coaches engaged in delivering coaching

c.      Number of sessions improving club governance

d.     Number of volunteering opportunities

e.      Participation opportunities for under 16s

f.       Female participation rates

g.     Number of people completing skills development programme

h.     Number of sessions for under-represented groups

i.       Number of sessions for school and youth groups

j.       Community group usage of stadia

k.      Number of clubs attaining club-mark

l.       Educational opportunities

m.    Number of programmes targeting ASB

n.     Improved collaborative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7h

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes from the Reference Group on Older People meeting held on 5th November 2019.

Belfast City Council convene a cross party discussion on the need for a drug task force in response to the increase in drug related incidents and deaths.  Chief medical officer Michael Mc Bride is currently discussing this proposal with all departments including DOH, DOJ, PHA and PSNI.  The drug task force needs to be led as an independent body that can review and recommend change and we need total honesty and transparency with a different approach on how we are dealing with the increase in drug related incidents. 

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor McCusker requested that – “Belfast City Council convene a cross party discussion on the need for a drug task force in response to the increase in drug related incidents and deaths.  Chief medical officer Michael Mc Bride is currently discussing this proposal with all departments including DOH, DOJ, PHA and PSNI.  The drug task force needs to be led as an independent body that can review and recommend change and we need total honesty and transparency with a different approach on how we are dealing with the increase in drug related incidents.”

            The Committee noted the work and meetings which were currently taking place on these issues between Party group leaders and key responsible organisations, and ongoing between Senior Council officers and Senior officers from other organisations; noted that a further meeting would take place in January; agreed that representatives of Extern, Addiction NI and the DfI be invited to the relevant  meetings, and agreed that a report on the outcomes of those meetings be submitted to the Committee in due course.

Following incidents where rat poison has been laid along the greenway by an unknown individual and the subsequent death of a dog, I would like officers to bring a report back to advise what steps can be taken to improve the greenway and what measures could be introduced to deter such actions happening again.

            In accordance with notice on the agenda Councillor McReynolds requested that – “Following incidents where rat poison has been laid along the greenway by an unknown individual and the subsequent death of a dog, I would like officers to bring a report back to advise what steps can be taken to improve the greenway and what measures could be introduced to deter such actions happening again.”

            The Committee noted that the Council did not have responsibility for the Greenway and noted also that the Director of Neighbourhood Services undertook to discuss the issues with the relevant teams in the Department to see actions could be taken.

            The Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services updated the Committee on discussions which were ongoing in relation to Christmas waste collections.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the current position and options for the Christmas waste collection arrangements and agreed that officers continue to discuss and exhaust all possible options with the Trade Unions and, if a workable  solution was not found by the end of the current week, then it be brought to the Party Group Leaders at the beginning of next week for final discussion and agreement given the need for an urgent decision.