Agenda and minutes

            In accordance with Standing Order 9, the Deputy Lord Mayor read a passage from the Scriptures.

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

The Lord Mayor welcomed to his first meeting Councillor Kennedy, who had replaced the former Alderman R. Newton on the Council.

            Moved by Alderman Robinson,

            Seconded by Councillor Hendron and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 6thJanuary be taken as read and signed as correct.

            A Member highlighted the fact that Councillor Kingston’s term as the High Sheriff of Belfast had ended recently and commended him on the way in which he had carried out his duties.

            Councillor Kingston reviewed the highlights of his year in office and congratulated his successor, Councillor L. Patterson, on her appointment.

The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, extended congratulations to Mr. P. McNaney, Chief Executive, on being awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Ulster.

The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received from a representative of the Olympia Community Centre Support Group seeking to address the Council in relation to the Development Committee’s decision of 14th January around the Olympia Community Centre.

            The Council acceded to the request and Mr. B. Dickson was admitted to the meeting.

            Mr. Dickson explained that the Olympia Community Centre Support Group had been established to challenge the incorrect assertion which had been made that residents in that area supported the Council’s proposal to move community services from the Olympia Community Centre to other locations, including St. Simon’s Hall. Opposition to that proposal had been reinforced in a recent petition, which had called upon the Council to retain community services within the Olympia Community Centre and which had, to date, attracted approximately four hundred signatures.

            He drew the Members’ attention to the fact that people living close to Casement Park had been afforded by the Gaelic Athletic Association an opportunity to raise, through highly successful workshops and engagement sessions, any concerns around the re-development of that facility.  He stressed that the Council should afford such a right to people living in the Olympia, Donegall Gardens and Village areas and, accordingly, he requested it to agree to establish a working group to undertake extensive consultation with those residents on future community provision and support requirements. 

            Mr. Dickson was thanked by the Lord Mayor and he retired from the meeting.

            The Council noted the information which had been provided and that it would be afforded an opportunity, later in the meeting, to raise any issues relating to the matter during consideration of the minutes of the meeting of the Development Committee.

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from:

·        the Democratic Unionist Party indicating that it wished Councillor Kennedy to replace Councillor Hussey on the Development Committee; and

·        the Progressive Unionist Party advising that it wished Councillor Hutchinson to replace the former Alderman Smyth on the National Association of Councillors. 

            The Council approved the aforementioned changes.

Moved by Alderman Robinson,

Seconded by Councillor Carson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 24th January be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Building Successful Communities

            Moved by Alderman Stoker,

            Seconded by Alderman R. Patterson,

       That the decision under the heading “Building Successful Communities” be amended to provide that the Council write to the Minister for Social Development requesting that he include the corridor between Donegall Pass, Sandy Row and the Village area within the pilot areas for a housing-led regeneration programme.

On a vote by show of hands twenty-one Members voted for the amendment and twenty-seven against and it was declared lost.

Adoption of Minutes

           The minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 24th January were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor McKee,

Seconded by Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 16th January be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Cherryvale Playing Fields – 3G Pitch

            Moved by the Deputy Lord Mayor Alderman Stalford,

            Seconded by Alderman Robinson,

       That the decision under the heading “Cherryvale Playing Fields – 3G Pitch” be rejected and, accordingly, that the Council agrees to rescind the decision of 5th December and endorse Option 2, that is, the revised residents’ option as presented to the Committee at its meeting on 5th December.

On a recorded vote, twenty-one Members voted for the amendment and thirty against and it was declared lost.

Adoption of Minutes

           The minutes of the meeting of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 16th January were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Hargey,

Seconded by Councillor Spence,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 14th January be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Olympia Community Centre

            Moved by Alderman Patterson,

            Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor Alderman Stalford,

       That the decision under the heading “Olympia Community Centre” be rejected and, accordingly, that the Council agrees to the establishment of a working group to consider the following issues within a specified period of time:

·        the feasibility of the establishment of a replacement community centre at, or as close to, the site of the existing Olympia Community Centre;

·        to assess the demand for community services within the immediate area of the Olympia site and to consider how local users would be impacted upon by any decision to reduce provision within that specific area; and

·        to agree, should the Committee opt to adhere to its decision of 3rd December, that the Council would consult with the working group in respect of the enhancement of the level of community services provision which would be made available within any replacement building at the site.

            On a recorded vote, seventeen Members voted for the amendment and thirty-three against and it was declared lost.

Further Amendment

            Moved by Alderman Stoker,

            Seconded by Alderman Ekin and

       Resolved - That the decision under the heading “Olympia Community Centre” be amended to provide for the replacement of the wording after “Elected Members” with “and the Olympia Community Centre Committee would be consulted to ascertain the potential community usage within the new leisure centre”.

Adoption of Minutes

         Subject to the foregoing amendment, the minutes of the meeting of the Development Committee of 14th January were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Corr,

Seconded by Keenan and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 15thJanuary be approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman Ekin,

Seconded by Councillor M. E. Campbell and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 22nd January, omitting those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Hanna,

Seconded by Alderman M. Campbell and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 23rd January, omitting those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Mullan proposed:

      “This Council notes with concern the increase in the number of food banks and other food poverty initiatives established by church groups and charities in the city, often working in partnership with local community organisations.

      The Council has already committed extra financial support for advice services across the city and agrees to work, through the Council’s anti-poverty initiative, in partnership with relevant agencies, charities and faith-based groups to establish agreed structures for the provision of advice and support to those who find themselves in need of this urgent help.”

The Motion was seconded by Councillor Convery.

In accordance with Standing Order 11(e), the Lord Mayor confirmed that the matter would be referred without discussion to the Health and Environmental Services Committee.

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Hanna proposed:

“This Council:

·        Notes that many households in Belfast, including a high portion of those in work, are currently experiencing poverty;

·        Contends that people working full-time should be able to afford housing costs, essential utilities and food bills;

·        Agrees that the introduction of the minimum wage has been a step forward but that at its current level it is inadequate for many with financial responsibilities;

·        Acknowledges that it is our responsibility as a major employer as well as to our ratepayers to seek to reduce poverty and inequality; and

·        Notes that approximately 1% of council employees are paid below a 'Living Wage', currently set at £7.65 per hour, a sum independently set as the level above which an earner can live adequately and with dignity in today's society. 

      The Council therefore agrees:

1.      To become a Living Wage employer, in consultation with staff and their representatives, and to revise upwards payment to those employees currently receiving below the living wage level;

2.      To include a commitment to include the living wage in all new employment contracts;

3.      To review the extent to which the Council’s Living Wage policy might be able to be applied to currently contracted-out services or as each contract comes up for renewal;

4.      To encourage other employers in Belfast to adopt a similar anti low-pay policy for their staff;

5.      To review the ratio between the lowest and the higher paid council officers; and

6.      To ensure that the appropriate Council Committee receives reports on progress towards the above at least annually, and initially by April 2014.”

The Motion was seconded by Councillor Mullan.

In accordance with Standing Order 11(e), the Lord Mayor confirmed that the matter would be referred without discussion to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Convery proposed:

      “This Council expresses grave concern at the crisis conditions experienced recently by patients in many of the Accident and Emergency Departments across Northern Ireland; a problem which is symptomatic of a more general crisis in the National Health Service (NHS).  The Council calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to work actively for and with GPs and other health professionals to ensure service provision and to demonstrate the political will to deliver the best healthcare possible for patients.  An effective strategy must be put in place to address the managerial problems which exist and to identify the structural change needed within the NHS.  The future provision of Accident and Emergency services and improved facilities throughout Belfast hospitals to accommodate patients where admission is required must, going forward, be a key component in any strategic plan.”

            The Motion was seconded by Councillor Groves.

            After discussion, the Motion was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Alderman Robinson proposed:

“This Council:

1.   notes with concern that the sale and use of Novel Psychoactive Substances, so called ‘legal highs,' is become increasingly problematic in the City;

2.   commends the gallant efforts of many charities and voluntary organisations, such as Opportunity Youth, Ascert and FASA, which are working hard to support those individuals affected, whilst shining a light on this recent scourge; and

3.   agrees to write to the Health Minister with a view to supporting his engagement with the Home Office to review the legislative controls and potential classification.” 

The Motion was seconded by Councillor Hargey.

                  The proposer agreed, at the request of Councillor Hargey, to amend his Motion to provide for the insertion of the words “Falls Community Council” after “FASA” in point 2 and of the following paragraph after that point:

“Notes the good work being led by the South Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership, which convened recently a meeting of a multi-agency working group to examine this issue and its impact, with a follow-up meeting to take place later this month.”

                  The Motion, as amended, was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.