Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor D. Dodds.

            The minutes of the meetings of 11th and 24th June were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on the 1st July, subject to:

(i)   the amendment of the minute of 11th June under the heading “Tourism Unit Update – Sister Cities International 2008 Annual Conference” to provide that the party travelling to Kansas be authorised to travel economy class only;

(ii)  the amendment of the minute of 11th June under the heading “Revenue and Community Development Project Grants – Steadfast Association” to provide that the application for grant-aid be refused on the grounds that it did not meet the criteria in so far as it was an organisation located outside the Belfast District Electoral Area Boundary; and

(iii)the amendment of the minute of 11th June under the heading “Review of the Council’s Play Service” to provide that the Consultative Group be established with each of the Party Groupings on the Council having one seat only.

To receive a presentation from representatives of Amnesty International regarding the Council’s Sister City relationship with Heifi in China, with particular reference to human rights issues in that area of China.

            The Chairman reminded the Members that during July he had advised them that he had received a request from Amnesty International to make a presentation to the August meeting of the Committee regarding the Council’s Sister City relationship with Hefei, with particular reference to human rights issues in that area of China.  He advised the Committee that, since no Member had objected to the presentation being made, representatives of Amnesty International were in attendance.  The Committee agreed that the deputation be received and, accordingly, Ms. Patricia Campbell, Campaigner, and Mr. Bernard O’Hare, China Country Specialist, were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

            Ms. Campbell thanked the Committee for the opportunity to address it.  She advised the Committee that human rights in China was a priority issue for Amnesty International.

            Mr. O’Hare indicated that the organisation neither wished to discourage trade with Hefei nor did it want Belfast to sever its links with that city.  However, it would like the Council to use its influence to promote the issue of human rights in China through its dealings with officials in Hefei.  He informed the Members that in China people were tortured, the death penalty was applied, dissidents and religious activists were imprisoned, publications and the internet were censored and trade unions were banned.  In addition, the One Child Policy was enforced in a coercive manner through forced sterilisations and abortions and Christians were prosecuted for printing bibles and holding church services in their homes.  He indicated that in China more people were executed each year than in the rest of the world combined and that a total of sixty-eight different crimes, including non-violent ones, carried the death penalty.  For example, in Hefei during 1996 at least eighteen people had been executed and in 2000 six persons are known to have been executed for crimes which had included theft and damaging the electricity supply. 

            He indicated that, with its Sister City relationship, the Council was in a unique position to provide support and to encourage progress in the field of human rights in Hefei.  Mr. O’Hare informed the Members that, contrary to popular belief, local officials in China had considerable power as the country was not controlled from Beijing.  He stated that China did listen to organisations such as Belfast City Council.  Therefore, since local officials could influence how policy was put into practice, if the Council were to raise human rights issues with officials in Hefei, human rights in that city might well improve.

            Mr. O’Hare pointed out that, with the Olympic Games being held in China, it was important that Belfast used this opportunity to support the Hefei authorities to improve human rights in that city and act as a flagship for change in China.  He concluded his presentation by requesting that the Council:

(i)      promote the integration of human rights dialogue and education into its plans for the Council’s relationship with Hefei;

(ii)     put human rights on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To consider further the minute of the meeting of the meeting of 27^th February under the heading “Renewing Communities Local Masterplans – West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council which, at the request of Councillor D. Dodds, was referred back to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 1^st April and which the Committee deferred consideration of at its meetings on 9^th April, 14^th May and 11^th June.

            The Committee considered further the minute of the meeting of 27th February under the heading “Renewing Communities Local Masterplans – West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council” which, at the request of Councillor D. Dodds, had been taken back at the Council meeting on the 1st April, and which the Committee had deferred consideration of at its meetings on 9th April, 14th May and 11th June.  An extract of the minute in this regard is set out hereunder:

“Renewing Communities Local Masterplans

      The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 21st February, it had considered a report regarding Strategic Regional Frameworks.  She informed the Members that the presentations to be made to the Committee on the local Masterplans would operate within these Strategic Regional Frameworks.

      The Committee considered the undernoted report:

‘Relevant Background Information

      The Development Committee at the meeting in December agreed to receive presentations in relation to the development of the five local area Masterplans within Belfast, by RPS on behalf of the Department for Social Development, and a spatial regeneration plan for West Belfast & Greater Shankill being developed by consultants on behalf of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council.

      The proposed presentations seek to provide an update on the work that has been carried out by various consultants since their appointment last year to develop the proposed documents.

Key Issues

      Local Area Masterplans

      The Masterplans are being developed by DSD as part of the Renewing Communities Agenda and are intended to identify strategic action required to address areas of major dereliction. The documents are intended to ‘provide a vehicle to coordinate and orchestrate public sector investment and leverage in private sector investment’.

      RPS since appointment has been engaged in consultations and data identification, across all of the areas, to inform their work and provide a context to any future recommendations.  As part of this process they have met with representatives from a range of organisations including Council Officers and Members.

      The consultancy team is currently drawing up draft masterplans to capture the economic opportunities identified.  This work will include development of investment options, proposed street environmental works, proposed site acquisitions, early wins and longer-term aspirations.  The proposals will be included within the draft plans, which are projected to be completed sometime after Easter.

      West Belfast & Greater Shankill Spatial Regeneration Plan

      The establishment of the Enterprise Council was a key recommendation of the Task Forces' reports, published in February 2002.  It was envisaged that the Enterprise Council could assist in implementing the recommendations of the Task Forces which pertained to the local small business sector bringing greater coherence to the promotion of and support for local businesses. The aim of the Council is ‘To release the productivity and economic potential of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Force area and their inhabitants through education, enterprise and investment - both indigenous and foreign direct investment - thereby boosting local incomes and employment opportunities and facilitating the renewal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report, together with additional information which was circulated at the meeting:

“Relevant Background Information

      Lagan Gateway Project Update

      Members will be aware that funding of £1million has been made available by Ulster Garden Villages Limited towards the reopening of the gateway Lock number one at Stranmillis.  An action plan which outlined the proposed activities to be developed in relation to the key aspects of the project, including identifying funding, stakeholder engagement, creating awareness of the Lagan Corridor, sustainability and examining best practice, was approved at the Development Committee meeting held on 12 September 2007.  Approval was also given at a meeting of the Tourism and Promotion of Belfast Sub-Committee held on 7 February 2007 for an initial two?year funding commitment to the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust.

      As part of the work plan and consultation process, discussions have been held with a number of key Lagan Corridor stakeholders including the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL), Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), Department of Social Development Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate (DSD), Northern Ireland Planning Service, Ulster Waterways Group, Waterways Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Lagan Valley Regional Park and Scott Wilson Consultants.

      As part of the consultation process, a Lagan Corridor Steering Group has been established and a seminar took place in November 2007. Further developments include:

1.     Lagan Gateway Project Scoping Study  A Scoping Study defining the Lagan Gateway Project has been completed. Tourism Development in conjunction with Estates and Project Management units is now progressing towards a full Economic Appraisal of this project, whose remit will include an examination of the Lagan, Farset and Connswater river network, the development of the Canal and the linkages between them.

2.     A Topographical and River Survey has been completed for Lock 1 Stranmillis.

3.     A three dimensional model of the proposed development at Lock 1 Stranmillis has been completed.

4.     A virtual (computer generated) model has been commissioned which will allow detailed examination of the project through 360 degrees. This interactive 3D environment will allow a user to navigate around in real-time and assess views from any location. It will be compatible with use on the Council Website and will also be used as a marketing and promotional tool.

5.     Interpretative signage has been commissioned, will be sited close to Lock 1 and include interpretation of the Lagan Navigation, the history of the area, the river and canal. It is anticipated that this signage will dovetail with DSD signage that aims to link areas along the Lagan from BelfastHarbour to Stranmillis.

6.     A number of funding applications are being explored

7.     As part of the COMET Multi-annual Plan (2007 – 2013) for the Comet Region being submitted to SEUPB for Interreg IV funding, Belfast City Council as a COMET partner along with Lisburn City Council has developed an application, the aim of which is to facilitate the development of a cross-border tourism product, in this case, the development of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Members were advised that the Council had been asked to respond to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011, which identified the strategic direction and key priorities which the Board would pursue during the next three year period. 

            During discussion, the Committee approved the undernoted response, subject to the inclusion of the following points:- the Council recognises the importance of ensuring that the benefits of tourism are cascaded down to local level and a reference to the need for additional accommodation in Belfast to be provided:

      “NITB welcomes comment on any aspect of the draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011 however, we would particularly value your comments on the following areas:

Section 3.3 ‘critical success factors as strategy drivers’

      In Section 3 NITB has analysed key market trends to identify those areas that will be critical to developing Northern Ireland tourism.

      Question 1: (a) Are there any additional success factors to those listed at the end of section 3 that you consider critical?  (b) If yes, what are they and what strategies are needed to drive their success?

      Unique Proposition – Further investment in product development, with delivery of the Signature Projects as a priority.  Whilst the Signature Projects should be a priority, this must not be at a cost to the development of a wider range of tourism products which are required to meet visitor expectations.  In Belfast, there is a lack of tangible product - things that people can go and do, so investment in this is critical.  Cultural Tourism, in particular museums, galleries, festivals, events and cuisine, is still the number one motivator for European tourism and has now risen to 40% of all travel.   £4.5 million in product portfolio development is too small an allocation to resolve this both in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland.  After the creation of the signature project, serious gaps will still exist if this is not addressed.

      The trends identified are similar to those experienced in the greater Belfast area, however Belfast City Council would caution against setting a strategic direction based on one year’s performance and would recommend flexibility in the strategy to allow for changes that might be necessary following longer term trend analysis. 

      Belfast City Council agrees that GB and ROI present substantial opportunities, however, we would draw attention to the fact that mainland Europe is also key and that close to home markets should not be prioritised over Europe, specifically in the current currency climate and with increased access.

      The importance of differentiation is key and the new Belfast Brand will be central to this, alongside the Northern Ireland brand which is currently being developed.

      The critical success factors are all relevant, however focus on new technology and its application in general across the wider NI tourism industry is essential in order to meet visitor expectations.

Section 4: ‘strategic direction’

      Section 4 outlines what NITB considers to be the strategic direction for tourism growth in Northern Ireland.   We would welcome your  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Members will be aware of regular reports from the European Unit providing an update on Unit progress and seeking Committee approval for new activity.  The following report will cover:

1.   Eurocities AGM 2008

2.   OPENCities Urbact II Proposal

Key Issues

1.   Eurocities

      Members will be aware that Belfast City Council has been an active and full member of the Eurocities network since the late 1990’s.  The Council through the Director of Development and the EU Unit actively participates in the Environment, Social Affairs, Culture and Economic Development fora of the network, contributing to or leading thematic working groups, engaging in project development and delivery, and influencing the development of policy at EU level.

      An example of benefit to Belfast through participation can be seen through the Culture Forum where Belfast participated in one of ten transnational projects this year with an exchange to Berlin, and from Turin, to celebrate the EU Year of Intercultural diversity.  Belfast City Council’s work in this project and a subsequent analysis report on learning from the project is now hailed as best practice and is profiled on the Council of Europe Website. 

      The Economic Development Forum provides a platform for the Council’s Economic Development Unit to gather best practice in anticipation of Belfast’s EU Day of the Entrepreneur to be held here in November 2008 and it also allows the Creative Industries Officer to engage currently in a Creative Clusters Working Group and address the cities on Belfast’s Creative Industries strategy.

      Eurocities provides a platform for engaging with counterpart officers and elected members across Europe to develop and deliver tangible projects and, importantly, influence the development of EU policy at EU Institutional level which ultimately must be adhered to by local authorities across the EU.

      Further opportunities for Belfast City Council includes cooperation with the Eurocities Members to seek resources through the 2010 EU Year of Social Inclusion and Combating Poverty which is a growing issue for the Development Committee.

      Eurocities 2008 AGM

      The Eurocities AGM will be held in The Hague from 26?29 November 2008.  Traditionally the AGM is attended by the Chair and Deputy Chair of Development (or their nominees), Director of Development, Head of Economic Initiatives and the EU Manager.  The theme of this year’s conference is to ‘Build Active Governance’ and within this there will be 5 sub-themes: living, work, well-being, environment and health, and innovation in governance.  The latter is a very appropriate theme given the pending Review of Public Administration in N.I. 

      The conference will hold a cities awards ceremony on day one.  Belfast City Council has submitted 3 proposals – ‘Don’t Drop it, Stop it’ campaign, the UrbanArtsAcademy and the City Murals Project.

      In conclusion, Eurocities continues to be the most essential network in terms of Belfast City Council’s ongoing EU activity.  The network was a source for partners in the Open Cities network and also provided the INTI Migration and Integration project  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Director reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 14th May, it had agreed to:

(i)    accept a Letter of Offer from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for funding of £77,300 for the Community Festivals Fund;

(ii)    make available in the current financial year £120,000 for the Fund, subject to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreeing to provide the finance required; and

(iii)   request that the Department increase the amount which it was providing to the Fund by £42,700 to match the Council’s proposed contribution.

            She advised the Committee that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 20th June, had agreed to increase from reserves the cash limits of the Development Committee by £120,000 in order to finance the Fund.  In addition, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure had indicated that, whilst it was sympathetic to the Council’s position, it had no surplus monies to redistribute.  However, should such monies become available, the Council would have the first priority.  The Director pointed out that the Council was entitled to set aside 10% of the Fund to cover the administrative costs associated with this scheme.  Therefore, an amount of £177,570 would be available for distribution under the Community Festivals Fund.

            She informed the Members that it was intended to commence the scheme in September with a single invitation for applications which would close on 19th September.  The application would cover all events which were scheduled to take place from the earliest date for the award of grant aid, that is, 1st October, 2008 until March 2009.  The funding guidelines and administrative procedures regarding the Fund had been prepared and a copy of these were set out below:

“1.     INTRODUCTION

1.1   Belfast City Council (BCC) has accepted the commission from the Department of Culture Arts & Leisure (DCAL) to manage the Community Festivals Fund (formerly managed by the NI Events Company) in the Belfast area. DCAL is providing £77,300 as their contribution to the fund with BCC contributing a further £120,000 with a request to DCAL that they increase their contribution to match that from the Council. The total fund value for Belfast is, accordingly, £197,300. From this, a maximum operating budget of 10%  (£19,730) for administration has been set aside, leaving an amount available for distribution of £177,570.

1.2   In order to proceed to the full operating of the Fund, there is a need to establish detailed funding guidelines and an administrative and management procedure, in order for it to commence delivery of grants by September 2008, with a single call running until March 2009.

        In order to progress to this point, approval is required by members for the:

·         Recommendation of the minimum and maximum level of financial offer for community festivals;

·         Establishment of CFF criteria for the council broadly based on DCAL guidelines but in line with the current Development department’s strategy and strategic objectives;

·         Provision of recommendations on grant delivery procedure that department needs to implement in order to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 “Relevant Background Information

      In October 2007 the Committee agreed to the delivery of the Council’s annual events programme.  The purpose of this report is to update Members on these event activities and to request the Committee’s approval and input on a number of key items connected to the following;  World Irish Dancing event,  London 2012 Public Screens Programme, 2011 British Transplant Games, Support for Sport Funding Programme and the Visit of QE2 to Belfast on 4 October 2008 and The Scottish, British and European Scottish Pipe Band Championships.

Key Issues

      World Irish Dancing Championships

      In March 2008 the City hosted the above event, which attracted approximately 18,000 people and generated an estimated £4 million.  This was the fourth time since 2000 that the Council has hosted this event with 92% of all participants and supporters coming from out?of-state.  The total cost of staging this event was £101,754 with 90% of finance being allocated to Waterfront Hall operational issues.

      Members are requested to approve that the Council bids for the World Championships (one year only) during the period of 2011 to 2015, and to approve an increased budget for staging the event of £200,000. The rationale for this increase is two fold

1.   The bidding process now attracts significant competition from across the UK, Ireland and North America meaning that the Irish Dancing Commission will require an inducement in addition to the use of venues. 

2.   The competition now requires a second venue, which will increase overall staging costs.

      Halloween 2008

      Over the last four years the Council has staged its annual event at the Odyssey public realm.  In 2007 the event attracted 25,000 people and generated £284,000 for the Belfast economy at a cost of £150,000 to the Council (a return on investment of £1.89 for every £1 of funding).  The Odyssey Arena has however, informed the Council that for the 2008 event the public realm outside the Arena is not free due a concert at the venue.  Members are requested to give approval that the event be staged at Clarendon Dock and Ballast Quay.  Both these sites will accommodate the significant audience that this event attracts and still allow for a major fireworks display on the night.

      London 2012 Cultural Olympiad City Hand-over Event;

      ‘Live Sites’ Public Screen & Cultural Olympiad Funding

      At May’s Committee Members were informed of the programme connected to the London 2012 Olympics and ‘live sites’ public screens.  The Lord Mayor has been invited to attend a special ceremony in Belfast on 24 August to mark the closing of the Beijing Olympics and the official status of London becoming the next ‘Olympic City’ in 2012.  This will be part of a number of events in regional capitals across the country. 

      In addition the Council has received details on the ‘Live Sites’ public screens from LOCOG 2012.  The proposal would see a permanent 25sq m screen, valued by the BBC and LOCOG 2012 at £750,000, positioned in Donegall Place  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The Broadway Junction Art Piece project has been taken forward, since 2005, through a partnership between the Department for Regional Development (Roads Service), Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate (Department for Social Development), the Arts Council for Northern Ireland (ACNI) and Belfast City Council (BCC).  The Roads Service is responsible for the ongoing structural work relating to the roundabout/junction which is part of the M1/Westlink improvement scheme, and the Arts Council and DSD are providing the majority of funding for the project.

      The commission was awarded through an international competition and a two stage selection process.  Phase 1 involved an invitation of expressions of interest from potential artists, from which seven were selected, and Phase 2 involved the shortlisted artists responding with design concepts to a detailed project brief. The BCC Artist-in-Residence consulted with community groups in the formulation of this brief.

      The Development (Arts) Sub-Committee was advised on 5 October 2005 that Ed Carpenter, an American artist, had been selected by the judging panel (which included invited Community representatives) to carry out the commission. 

      The Development Committee of 16 November 2005 agreed BelfastCity Council would take on responsibility for the future maintenance of the art piece; and at the Development Committee meeting of Wednesday 14 February 2007 it was agreed :

-     That the Project Management Unit undertake the project management role up to a cost of £50K spread over the 07/08 and 08/09 financial years.

-     To commit to a contribution of £20K to the capital cost of the project during the 08/09 financial year.

      The construction of the Art Piece was to be coordinated within the programme for the construction of the roundabout over the M1/Westlink tunnel, which was initially due to be completed in Autumn 2009 but was subsequently brought forward to Spring 2009.

      In the period since the selection of the Artist, the roles and associated responsibilities and level of financial project commitments from the project partners has been clarified.

Also within this period:

-     BCC undertook an Economic Appraisal (funded by DSD) carried out by KPMG in June 2007 approved by DFP in October 2007;

-     The financial contribution from DSD was confirmed as £300k;

-     Further resources were secured from the ACNI to meet the shortfall in the projected budget of £400,000 (excluding in kind costs);

-     Progression of the project was to include continued community engagement.

      The Development Committee of Wednesday 12 December 2007, approved the terms of reference for the Broadway Junction Public Art Board and Steering Panel and agreed that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their Nominees), together with one Councillor from each of the Balmoral and Lower Falls Electoral Areas, be appointed to the project Board.

Key Issues

      Project Update

      The Broadway Project Board met  on 17 June 2008 where it was confirmed that due to a significant increase in the costs of construction materials (steel, in particular) since the commission was originally awarded in 2005, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report regarding the refurbishment of the Ulster Hall which provided information regarding the progress which was being made on the work, the interior and exterior décor, interpretative displays and the Education, Community and Heritage Outreach Programme which would be organised when the Hall was reopened.

            The Community Development Manager reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 14th November, 2007, it had agreed that a public consultation exercise be carried out in connection with the Draft Community Support Plan for the period 2008?2010.  She reported that, following the conclusion of the exercise, the Plan had been revised slightly and pointed out that a copy of the Plan had been circulated to the Members.

            After discussion, the Committee approved the contents of the Draft Final Community Support Plan 2008-2010 and agreed that it be published as soon as possible.

            The Committee considered a report which provided information regarding the work which the Strategic Neighbourhood Action Plan Team had undertaken since its inception sixteen months previously and the key activities which it would be carrying out in the coming months.

            Several Members expressed concern at the length of time which it was taking for the Action Plan to be implemented.  They pointed out that it was likely that the Plan, which would indicate how improved services could be delivered to residents, would not be finalised until 2012 by which time the Review of Public Administration would be in the process of being implemented.  It was pointed out that attempts to implement the Strategic Neighbourhood Action Plan amid the changes which would result from the Review of Public Administration could cause difficulties.  The view was expressed that it would be preferable if the Action Plan were to be completed before the Review of Public Administration was implemented. 

            After discussion, the Committee requested that a timetable for the completion of the Action Plan be submitted to the Committee’s next monthly meeting.

            The Committee was reminded that twelve Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships were operating currently within Belfast and that they were each developing Action Plans for their areas.  Each Plan detailed a series of actions and identified the organisations which the Partnership believed could assist them.  In a number of cases the Council had been identified as the lead partner. 

            The Director reported that the Council had replied to nine such Plans and that a response had been prepared recently to the Action Plan submitted by the Greater Shankill Partnership, a copy of which had been circulated and which was available on the Modern.gov. intranet/internet site.

            The Committee endorsed the contents of the Council’s response to the Greater Shankill Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership’s Action Plan. 

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 11th June, it had deferred consideration of a report regarding the Department for Social Development’s Retail Sequencing Policy to enable a planning advisory report entitled “Major Retail-led Redevelopment Proposals for Belfast City Centre” which had been prepared by Braniff Associates on behalf of the Council, to be circulated to the Members.  The report had been prepared to assist the Committee to consider its response to a request from Westfield Shoppingtowns Limited for the Council to support the Company’s proposals to bring forward the project for the extension of Castlecourt within the Department for Social Development’s sequencing policy on retail regeneration in the City centre.

            This report had concluded that, following the opening of Victoria Square and the construction of the Royal Exchange scheme, which had been selected by the Department as the next retail-led regeneration scheme in the City centre, it would be 2015 until a further scheme would be financially viable.

            The Director informed the Committee that Westfield could extend and refurbish Castlecourt now by acquiring land privately and by submitting a planning application rather than waiting for the support of the Department for Social Development’s land assembly powers.  In addition, the Department had indicated that it would consider a scheme at the Castlecourt site if it represented a major change in the retail offer in the City centre. 

            Following discussion in the matter, the Committee agreed that a special meeting be held to enable it to be provided with an update regarding the situation and to receive presentations from Westfield, Ewarts, the developer of Royal Exchange, and the Department for Social Development.

            Vehicle Parking

            The Committee noted that discussions between the Council, the market traders, and the Roads Service regarding the parking issues at the Market were still on-going.

            Fish Area

            The Head of Economic Initiatives advised the Members that the cleaning and powerwashing of the fish area after each day’s trading had adversely affected the rear wall and that, despite regular refreshing and painting, the wall quickly became dirty again.  Accordingly, hygienic plastic cladding had been fitted to the wall. 

Noted.

            Letting of Units

            The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that only one of the units at the Market was not let currently and that it was proposed that this space could be used by local arts and crafts students and community groups as a display/showcase area.  This would hopefully increase the footfall within the Market, as well as providing local artists with an opportunity to promote their work.  As goods would not be sold from the unit, it would be made available at no charge.  She assured the Members that should an offer be made to rent the unit, it would be vacated by the person or group which had goods on display.

            The Committee agreed that the vacant unit at Smithfield Market be used as a short-term measure for display/showcase purposes by local arts and crafts students and community groups.

            Advertising

            The Committee noted also that information regarding the goods sold at Smithfield Market was now available on the Council’s website and that a television and radio advertising programme promoting the Market had finished recently and would recommence in late August and early September.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

      “Relevant Background Information

      This report provides an update on the continuing implementation of projects and outlines two issues for the consideration of Committee. The update in relation to Renewing the Routes projects provides information on general progress and separate information in the form of a Bulletin covering four IDF routes.

      The two issues for consideration relate to the potential provision of a Public Art piece on Falls Road and ongoing work with Roads Service. Members are asked to note the continued progress made under the Renewing the Routes programme and to consider two issues pertaining to the programme implementation.

Key Issues

      Implementation Update

      The implementation of IDF projects across the four principal routes covered by the funding will gather pace over the next two years.  The production of a bulletin on progress will assist with this ongoing work and communication.

      It is proposed that up to six bulletins are produced for the remaining period of the programme and to keep participants and partners informed of progress.  The draft bulletin is attached for Consideration.

      Antrim Rd and York Rd.  Projects on the Antrim and York Road are continuing with additional funding made available from the URBAN II. Decorative hanging baskets and flower trees have been installed on both routes and proposals for lighting enhancements, tree planting and further commercial improvements are being developed. It is anticipated that the additional works made possible by the extra allocation will be completed by December 2008. The York Road Gateway Art Project is progressing with the architectural and engineering details being completed to finalise implementation. Installation will take place on completion of final statutory inspections.

      Crumlin Road. Draft proposals have been developed for public realm schemes at Carlisle Circus, Lower Crumlin Road and Ardoyne roundabout. The initial consultations have taken place with statutory agencies and community groups and detailed public consultation is planned to begin towards the end of the summer.

      Commercial improvements proposals have been developed with owners for properties at Glenbank and Lower Crumlin Road.

      Falls Road 28 properties have been targeted under Phase I of the Commercial Improvement Programme in lower Falls.  Construction work for phase 1 is scheduled to commence between Divis Street and Broadway in August 2008 and Phase II (Lower Springfield Road) are at final design and consultation will begin September 2008.

      Hanging baskets have also been installed on Broadway as part of a three part environmental project for the route.  A public art piece is also being developed with Iveagh Residents Group and the Belfast Health Trust for installation of the project on one of the Royal Victoria Hospital walls.  The final element of the project will be carried out with local residents on a “Soffits and Sills” painting scheme where properties will be upgraded to contribute to the reinvigoration of this busy route.

      Consultants have been appointed and are currently investigating the potential of feature lighting to popular landmarks on the Falls Road  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

            The Director referred to the report regarding Planning and Transport Related issues and indicated that she wished to withdraw from the agenda that section of the report which referred to the creation of a new post.  She pointed out that this had been issued in error and apologised for this. 

            The Committee agreed to the Director’s request and noted the contents of the remainder of the report which included information concerning the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, a further planning application for the Sprucefield Regional Shopping Centre, the review of the Regional Development Strategy and a proposal regarding the Westlink/York Street junction.