Agenda and minutes

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

An apology was reported on behalf of Alderman Webb.

            The Council acceded to a request from a broadcasting company to film the commencement of the meeting.

            The Lord Mayor (Councillor Mallon) reviewed her term in office and expressed her appreciation for the support which she had received from the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Hendron), the High Sheriff (Councillor McKee) and the former High Sheriff (Alderman L. Patterson).  She thanked also the staff who had assisted her over the course of the past ten months and placed on record her appreciation for the support which she had received from Members.

            The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Hendron) provided a brief overview of her term in office and thanked the Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff, the former High Sheriff, Members and officers for the assistance which they provided during that time. 

            Representatives of each of the Political Parties on the Council paid tribute to the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor for the exemplary manner in which they had fulfilled their duties during their term in office.

            The Council was reminded that a number of Members, namely, the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Hendron), Aldermen M. Campbell, Ekin, Stoker and Webb and Councillors Cunningham, Curran, Keenan, Kelly, Kennedy, Mac Giolla Mhín, McCarthy, Reynolds, Thompson and Verner would be leaving the Council on the following day.

            The Lord Mayor, the Deputy Lord Mayor, together with several Members, paid tribute to the aforementioned Members for the significant contribution which they had made to the Council and their constituents and wished them well in the future.   

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

Moved by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor Mallon),

Seconded by Alderman Stalford and 

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the special meeting and the monthly meeting of the Council of 2nd March be taken as read and signed as correct.

Moved by Councillor Reynolds,

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Hendron),

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 13th March be approved and adopted.

            At the request of Alderman Rodgers, the Chief Executive undertook to give consideration to the most appropriate way in which to mark the ending of the Belfast Education and Library Board.

Moved by Alderman Robinson,

Seconded by Alderman R. Patterson and

      Resolved – That the decision under the heading “Motion re: Northern Ireland Driving Licences” be amended to provide that, given that the situation had progressed since the Minister’s response had been received by the Committee, a further letter be forwarded to him requesting an update on the matter.

            The Council was advised that a meeting of the East Belfast Area-Based Working Group had been held on 26th March, at which it had been agreed that two projects in that area, namely Willowfield Parish Church and the re-development of the Blanchflower Playing Fields by Harland and Wolff Welders Football Club, should be supported under the Belfast Investment Fund.  As there would not be another meeting of the existing Strategic Policy and Resources Committee before the Council ceased to exist, the Council noted this recommendation by the Working Group and that it would be passed to the incoming Council for agreement.

            Subject to the foregoing addition and amendment, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 13th March were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Newton,

Seconded by Councillor Kyle and 

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 12th March be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Hargey,

Seconded by Alderman Ekin and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 10th March be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Corr,

Seconded by Councillor Curran and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 4th March be approved and adopted.

Moved by Alderman Ekin,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 18th March, 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 Robinson and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 5th and 23rd March, omitting those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.