Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Lavery) and Councillors Kirkpatrick, Kyle and Mhic Giolla Mhín.

Deputy Lord Mayor

            Having been advised that the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Lavery) was recovering at home following a short stay in hospital, the Committee agreed that its best wishes for a speedy recovery be conveyed to him.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      In recent years, Belfast has built up a reputation as an international tourism destination.  It has also become a key gateway for tourists visiting Northern Ireland and the whole of the island of Ireland.  Latest figures suggest that visits to the City are worth up to £500m per year for the local economy, supporting 10,000 jobs in the Greater Belfast area.  In 2008, the City attracted 1.6m staying visits, 5.5m day visits and 64,000 cruise passengers (and crew).  Belfast has a new brand and a range of new or improved products coming on stream (City Hall, Titanic Signature Project, Ulster Museum, Ulster Hall, Lyric Theatre).  Investment planned or underway in the City centre by both public and private sectors amounts to some £1 billion of projects with a further £0.7 billion outside the inner area at planning or implementation stage.

      The Belfast Integrated Strategic Tourism Framework sets the direction of tourism development and marketing within the City over the next 5–10 years.  Through a detailed action plan it will outline how we underpin the investment/success to date and deliver future growth.  It was produced by TTC International, managed by a steering group comprising representatives from NITB, BCC and BVCB and chaired by Cllr William Humphrey.

      The final draft strategy is available on Modern.gov.  Party briefings have been undertaken with all Parties during January 2010.  A period of targeted consultation will follow after the Council meeting (with key delivery agencies e.g. DSD, DEL, Airports etc) and we intend to launch the finalised plan in late spring for the new season.  The study is funded 50:50 by NITB and BCC.

      NITB is also preparing the Northern Ireland Tourism Strategy for the same period.  The intention is to ensure both Strategies dovetail and complement one another.  A similar approach is being adopted for Derry/Londonderry. 

Key Issues

      In summary the main points from the Strategy are as follows:

      Targets

      The current targets in the study are as follows:

      The Strategy is based on delivering the higher targets.  NITB has agreed to show how the above targets relate to Northern Ireland Tourism Strategy – this work is still in progress.

      Strategic Direction

      The strategic direction outlined in the document is two fold;

1.      In light of the recent investment in the City, current levels of tourists and the economic downturn we will focus on how we better deliver what we already have. 

      As a City we need to work better, smarter, collectively prioritise and pull all resources to deliver.  Examples of this include identifying Tourism Place Destinations whereby we can cluster and improve existing product (see section on Tourism Place Destinations).  One of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that, in accordance with its decision of 13th January, a deputation from the Forum for an Alternative Belfast was in attendance regarding plans which the organisation had for Bank Square.  She pointed out that the Forum was a group of architects and surveyors whose stated aim was to make Belfast more attractive and that their proposals were compatible with those of the consultants which had been appointed by the Department for Social Development to prepare an improvement scheme for Bank Square.  She reminded the Members that they had been invited by the Department for Social Development to a presentation on the consultants’ proposals later in the week.  The Committee agreed to receive the deputation.  Accordingly, Messrs. Declan Hill and Mark Hackett were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

            With the assistance of visual aids, the deputation explained that the Forum’s ideas for Bank Square involved:

(i)      the reduction in the size of Castlecourt’s service yard, which was located on the southern side of the Square;

(ii)     the provision of small retail units around the wall of the service yard;

(iii)    the Ulster Reform Club building an extension to its property on the western side of the Square;

(iv)    the construction of an arcade from Castle Street to the northern side of the Square which would improve the pedestrian flow; and

(v)     the sale of a small portion of land which was in public ownership thereby generating income for the Department for Social Development.

            Mr. Hill informed the Committee that the two churches on the Square and the businesses which operated within it, together with the Reform Club and Westfield Shoppingtowns Limited, the owners of Castlecourt, were supportive of the Forum’s plans.  He pointed out that the proposed scheme would operate within the boundaries of the current owners’ property which should enable it to be progressed without undue delay.  Mr. Hackett indicated that the Forum was keen that the improvements to Bank Square involved a design-led solution rather than the needs-led solution which was being proposed by the Department for Social Development.  He pointed out that the Forum had had discussions with Westfield regarding reducing the size of its service yard.  He indicated that the Forum’s proposals would result in active buildings on all four sides of Bank Square and would improve pedestrian traffic flow, particularly to and from Castlecourt.  This would increase the number of persons using the Square, thus making it more vibrant, which would in turn help to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.  The deputation pointed out that the Forum’s scheme required no public sector financial investment but rather its support.

            In answer to Members’ questions, the deputation indicated that the Forum’s ultimate ambition would be the re-opening of Berry Street, which would improve the area even more, although this would be dependent on the service yard being re-located when the extension to Castlecourt was eventually undertaken.  They indicated further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.