Agenda and minutes

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

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Moved by Alderman Robinson,

            Seconded by Councillor Hendron and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 3rdMarch be taken as read and signed as correct.

            The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, extended congratulations to Mrs. S. Wylie, who had been appointed recently to the post of Chief Executive for the new Council.

            Having been advised that Oscar Knox was continuing to experience ill health, the Council agreed that a letter be forwarded to his family offering its best wishes and ongoing support.

            The Chief Executive reported that requests had been received from the BBC and UTV to film the proceedings of the meeting.

            It was

            Moved by Alderman Browne,

            Seconded by Alderman Stoker,

            That the requests be declined.

            On a vote by show of hands two Members voted for the proposal and thirty-eight against and it was accordingly declared lost.

            The representatives of the broadcasting organisations were admitted to the meeting.

            The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received from Ms. D. Doyle seeking to address the Council on issues around the future provision of Integrated Services for Children and Young People in the West Belfast and Shankill areas.

            The Council acceded to the request and Ms. D. Doyle, together with Ms. N. Collins and Ms. P. McCarthy, were admitted to the meeting.

            Ms. Doyle informed the Members that Integrated Services for Children and Young People offered a valuable service in the West Belfast and Shankill areas of the City and provided details on how it had improved the lives of several members within her own family. She highlighted the fact that funding for the initiative had ended on 31st March and urged the Council to work with the agencies involved to ensure that every effort was made to retain the service.

            The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, thanked Ms. Doyle for her presentation and the deputation 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 Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

Moved by Alderman Robinson,

Seconded by Councillor Carson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 21st March be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Capital Programme – Update

            Moved by Councillor Kennedy,

            Seconded by Alderman R. Patterson,

       That the decision under the heading “Capital Programme – Update” be amended to provide that the Council does not agree to progress the City Hall Works Project from Stage 2 – Uncommitted to Stage 3 – Committed in the Capital Programme until such time as the design, layout and content have been agreed.

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

Adoption of Minutes

          The minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 21st March were approved and adopted.

            Moved by Alderman Robinson,

            Seconded by Councillor Carson and

      Resolved – That, in pursuance of Standing Order 71 and in accordance with the decision of the Council of 3rd March, the Council confirm the amendment to Standing Order 55, relating to the Employment of Relatives, to provide that the employment of an agency worker related to an officer or servant of the Council be reported to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee. 

Moved by Councillor McKee,

Seconded by Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 13th March be approved and adopted.

Request for Matter to be Taken Back to Committee

Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council

            At the request of Councillor Kelly and with the permission of the Council, the Chairman (Councillor McKee) agreed that the minute under the heading “Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration. 

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing omission, the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 13th March were approved and adopted.

Development Committee

Moved by Councillor Hargey,

Seconded by Councillor Ó Donnghaile,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 18th March be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Giro d’Italia

            Moved by Alderman Robinson,

            Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Alderman Stalford) and

       Resolved - That the decision under the heading “Giro d’Italia” be amended to provide that the Council agrees to write to the Environment Minister encouraging him to introduce statutory provision to ban the erection of election posters along the route of the Giro d’Italia race until the event was over.

Visit Belfast

At the request of Councillor Curran, the Lord Mayor agreed to hold an appropriate event to mark the retirement of Ms. Anne Collins, Director of Shopmobility Belfast.

Amendment

Eurocities Update – Annual Conference

            Moved by Alderman Stoker,

            Seconded by Councillor Kennedy and

      Resolved - That the decision under the heading “Eurocities Update – Annual Conference” be amended to provide that, in addition to the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, a representative of each of the other Political Parties be authorised to attend the Conference. 

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendments and addition, the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 18th March were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Corr,

Seconded by Councillor M.E. Campbell and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 5thMarch be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Corr,

Seconded by Councillor M. E. Campbell and

      Resolved - That the Council agrees to pass Resolutions amending the Belfast City Council Traffic Regulation Orders (Northern Ireland) 2013 for East and South Belfast, as set out on the summons and within the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 5th March, and to be effective from 1st April, 2014.

Moved by Alderman Ekin,

Seconded by Councillor Cunningham and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 19th March, omitting those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman M. Campbell,

Seconded by Councillor Ó Donnghaile and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 6th and 20th March, 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 McCarthy proposed:

      “This Council notes that the Irish Seanad, on 19th February, unanimously passed a Motion by Senator David Norris, inviting Pope Francis to visit Ireland.

      Should the Holy Father accept that invitation, this Council invites him, as a man of faith, peace and reconciliation, to visit the City of Belfast and calls upon the Northern Ireland Assembly to extend a similar invitation.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Convery.

            On a vote by show of hands thirty Members voted for the proposal and none against and it was accordingly declared carried.

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

      “This Council recognises the contribution of James Ellis to the image and reputation of Belfast and regrets his passing.

      To mark his role as an outstanding ambassador for the City, this Council pays tribute to his memory in a fitting manner and ensures that his career is given prominence in the proposed visitor attraction here in City Hall.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Kennedy.

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

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

      “This Council recognises that the consistent message from all the studies carried out for City Council at home and abroad, of progressive regions and cities, is one of good City Planning.  This planning considers living and health conditions, economic and transport requirements, education and recreation needs.  It helps to create a city that is socially and economically sustainable, and underpins decisions which might be unpopular but are necessary.

      With the transfer of planning functions to councils, it is vital that Belfast City Council creates a City Planning capability to develop the City Plan which will set the guidelines for future planning decisions.

      We, therefore, request the Chairman of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to arrange for officers to urgently prepare proposals for consideration by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee regarding the appointment of a Senior Planning Executive (or team) who will bring the experience of best practice from elsewhere and who will constructively guide the Council as it takes on responsibility for planning.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Attwood.

            In accordance with Standing Order (11e), 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 Ó Donnghaile proposed:

      “This Council congratulates the Ireland Rugby Squad on their recent Six Nations win and in particular commends and recognises the contribution of Brian O’Driscoll to the sporting life of Ireland over the last fifteen years.

      The Council requests the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to engage with the IRFU to host, at the earliest convenience for both, a reception/event, led by the Lord Mayor, to recognise the team’s historic win and afford the people of Belfast the opportunity to express their thanks, appreciation and support for our Ireland Rugby heroes.”

            The motion was seconded by Alderman Robinson.

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