Minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from Alderman Crozier.

            The minutes of the meeting of 13th April were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd May, subject to:

(i)      the omission of the minute under the heading “Manifesta X Exhibition” which, at the request of Councillor Lavery, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration; and

(ii)    the omission of the minute under the heading “New York/New Belfast Conference” which, at the request of Alderman Newton, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            The Chairman welcomed the Members to the first meeting of the Committee following the Local Government Elections.

            The Committee considered further the undernoted minute:

      The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 15th February, it had agreed to contribute a sum of £10,000 towards the costs of creating a post of Manifesta Bid Co-ordinator who would work with a wide range of organisations to oversee the preparation of a joint bid for Belfast and DerryCity Councils to host Manifesta X in 2014.  Accordingly, the Director of Development reported that correspondence had been received from the Manifesta Bid Co-ordinator requesting that the Committee endorse a ‘Letter of Intent’ which would confirm the Council’s prospective candidature, in conjunction with Derry City Council, to host the exhibition in 2014.

      It was pointed out that, should the joint bid by Belfast and Derry City Councils be successful, the joint hosts would be required to commit a minimum budget of €3,000,000, together with a Transfer Fee of €400,000, towards the event.  However, the Director advised the Committee that he had emphasised to the organisers of Manifesta X that the Council would not be prepared to submit a formal bid unless it was convinced that such a move would be affordable and would provide commensurate benefit to the City.  He assured the Members that the signing of the ‘Letter of Intent’ would not commit the Council to any financial commitment other than the previously agreed £10,000.

      After discussion, the Committee agreed to endorse the ‘Letter of Intent’ and noted that further progress reports would be submitted in due course.”

            During discussion, the Director of Development informed the Committee that it was clear that European funding would not be secured to assist the Council in its bid to host the Exhibition in 2014.  Accordingly, he had not submitted a letter of intent on behalf of the Council and suggested that the matter be revisited with a view to bidding for the event in 2016, subject to the securing of adequate funding.

            The Committee agreed to this course of action.

            (Councillor Ó Muilleoir declared an interest in this item and remained outside the room whilst it was under discussion.)

            The Committee considered further the undernoted minute:

      The Committee was reminded that first New York/New Belfast Conference had taken place in New York in June, 2010, and that a follow-up conference was scheduled to take place there in June, 2011. The Director of Development reported that the Council had been requested to consider whether it wished to be represented at the 2011 Conference and he provided an outline of the programme and the main speakers at the event.

      The Director pointed out that the Conference would provide an opportunity for the Council to engage with a range of representatives from key organisations within the United States of America which promoted economic regeneration and business growth.  The programme would focus particularly on promoting linkages between both cities and was organised by a range of organisations, including Fordham University, Continental Airlines, Tourism Ireland and Titanic Quarter. The Conference would also enable networking to be carried out through a series of workshops which would provide an opportunity for the Council to address some of the issues raised during the recent ‘State of the City’ workshops. Accordingly, the Director reported that the Council had been requested to provide sponsorship for the conference. This would be in the sum of £3,000 and would provide the Council with an opportunity to make a presentation at one of the sessions, together with securing two delegate places.

      After discussion, the Committee agreed to provide sponsorship for the New York/New Belfast Conference at the cost of £3,000, and that the incoming Chairman and the incoming Deputy Chairman (or their nominees), together with two officers, be authorised to attend.  In addition, it was agreed that the total cost to the Council, including travel, subsistence and accommodation costs would not exceed £9,000.”

            A Member pointed out that he had, in a personal capacity, attended the Conference and outlined the benefits which he felt the Council could have gained if it had been represented formally.  He suggested that the City had missed a prime opportunity to engage and forge partnerships with a range of representatives from key organisations from New York which promoted economic regeneration and business growth.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed also that a copy of the keynote speeches made at the Conference be circulated for the attention of the Members.

            (Mr. S. McCrory, Democratic Services Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, the Chairman referred to the future commencement times and dates for meetings of the Committee.  He highlighted the lengthy agendas which had been presented to the Committee over the foregoing months and suggested that consideration might be given to holding two scheduled meetings each month. In addition, the point was made that, since a majority of the Members of the Committee had commitments throughout the day, the commencement time might be moved to a slightly later time.

            After discussion, it was agreed

(i)    that future scheduled meetings would commence at 5.15 p.m.; and

(ii)    in principle, that the Committee meet twice-monthly during the Council term, subject to the Democratic Services Manager submitting a report in August on how this might be accommodated within the Committee Schedule and setting out the nature of the business to be discussed at each of the meetings.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the establishment of Working Groups and Steering Groups to enable a revised report to be submitted to the special meeting scheduled to be held on 27th June.

            The Senior Democratic Services Officer reminded the Members that, under the new governance arrangements which had been implemented by the Council in 2007, the Committee had been represented on a number of Outside Bodies and Agencies by its Chairman and Deputy Chairman, or their nominees.  He reported that the Council’s representation on those Bodies had lapsed on 5th May, coinciding with the date of the Local Government Elections, and indicated that it was necessary for the Committee to renew its representation thereon.  Accordingly, the Committee agreed that it be represented on the various Outside Bodies and Agencies as set out hereunder:

            (Mr. S. McCrory, Democratic Services Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       The Committee is responsible for making appointments to the several Partnership Boards across the City, namely the North Belfast Partnership Board, the South Belfast Partnership Board, the East Belfast Partnership Board, the West Belfast Partnership Board and the Greater Shankill Partnership Board.

1.2       The methodology used to appoint Members to these Boards has been developed over the last 14 years to try to ensure that the Boards function as effectively as possible.

2          Key Issues

2.1       North Belfast Partnership Board (8 Members)

            For the past number of years, the Committee has decided that the 8 Members should be drawn from the representatives elected to the Castle and Oldpark District Electoral Areas.

            The strengths of the Parties in these District Electoral Areas is set out below, together with the number of places which the Parties would be entitled to on the Board based upon the strict application of proportionality.

2.2       South Belfast Partnership Board (8 Members)

            The appointees have historically been drawn proportionately from the Parties represented in the Balmoral and Laganbank District Electoral Areas.

            The strengths of the Parties in these District Electoral Areas is set out below, together with the number of places which the Parties would be entitled to on the Board based upon the strict application of proportionality.

            There are 3 Parties – Sinn Fein, DUP and Alliance who each have 2 Members in the areas.  There is one seat remaining between these 3 Parties and, in accordance with established practice, this should be allocated between these Parties over the 4-year term.  Accordingly, it is recommended that the extra place is allocated to the Alliance Party in years 1 and 4 on the basis that it polled the highest first preference votes of the three Parties in the two District Electoral Areas of Balmoral and Laganbank.  The seat would be allocated to the Democratic Unionist Party in year 2 and to Sinn Fein in year 3 under the same provisions.

2.3       East Belfast Partnership Board (4 Members)

            The strengths of the Parties in the Pottinger and Victoria District Electoral Areas is set out below, together with the number of places which the Parties would be entitled to on the Board based upon the strict application of proportionality.

            The Director submitted for the Committee’s approval the Development Departmental Plan for 2011/2012.  He pointed out that the Plan identified the key actions, events and initiatives which the Department would oversee in 2011/2012 and added that the Plan enabled the Committee to performance manage the work of the Department. He indicated that the Plan assisted managers and officers to make informed decisions and allocate resources accordingly in line with agreed objectives. In addition, the Plan had been developed in accordance with the estimates and high level objectives as set out by the previous Committee. He pointed out that the Plan would be reviewed later in the financial year to ensure that it remained relevant to the new Committee’s priorities.

            A prolonged discussion ensued in respect of the contents of the Plan and the point was made, given the size, extent and financial implications to the Council of the proposals contained within the document, that it might be prudent to defer consideration of its contents to enable Members to study it in further detail. In response, the Director indicated that the Plan related to the current financial year only and had been formulated to address priorities as determined by the previous Committee. He pointed out that the Plan referred to the year which had commenced in April and the work of the Department might be impacted upon adversely if Committee approval was not forthcoming. The Director suggested that the newly-established Committee should consider developing a three-year Plan to cover the period 2012/2015, which would be aligned to the priorities of the new Corporate Plan which Members would formulate over the next number of months.

            Following discussion, the Committee approved the Departmental Plan for 2011/2012 and it was agreed further that a workshop be arranged to consider the priorities aligned to the Plan for 2012/2015.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 28th March, it had requested that a report, which outlined the wider issue of the Council's future involvement in job creation, sustainability and skills development, be submitted for the Committee's consideration at its meeting in June. Accordingly, the Director outlined the principal aspects of a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, which contained a number of options for the Committee to consider in this regard.

            A Member suggested that it might be prudent to defer consideration of the report to enable further discussion and clarification on the proposals contained therein to be provided.  A further Member referred to the decision of the Committee of 28th March, at which it had been agreed, under the special expenditure powers as set out under Section 115 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, to award £15,000 to the Employment Services Board to enable it to continue to operate over a three-month period commencing on 1st April. He enquired if a further legal opinion was required in order to extend funding to that organisation beyond 30th June and suggested that the report should be deferred to the special meeting of the Committee scheduled for 27th June, to allow for such a legal opinion to be considered. In response, the Head of Economic Initiatives pointed out that no formal application had been received from the Employment Services Board to extend the financial arrangement which had been agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 28th March.

            After further discussion, it was

Moved by Councilllor Robinson,

Seconded by Councillor Kyle,

      That the Committee agrees to defer consideration of the report to enable further discussion and clarification of the proposals contained therein and that an update be provided at the special meeting of the Committee to be held on 27th June.

            The Committee agreed to this course of action. In addition, the Director undertook to seek a legal opinion in respect of the Committee's powers to extend funding to the Employment Services Board under the special expenditure powers as set out under Section 115 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.

            (Alderman Ekin declared an interest and left the meeting whilst this item was under discussion.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members may be aware of the focus on creating opportunities for success and of Belfast City Council’s work in economic development and the work undertaken to promote economic growth in the city.

1.2       Our role in economic development presently focuses predominantly on supporting the micro and small businesses not currently accessing support from other sources.  These companies represent the majority of businesses in Belfast.  In fact around 4 in 5 businesses employ 10 people or less.

1.3       In 2010-11 Economic Development:

-    supported 1,897 businesses, which is around 1 in 8 of all Belfast companies.

-    provided training and development events for 3,639 people

-    including over 650 pupils on our Youth Enterprise Programme; 

-    and 265 long-term unemployed on our HARTE programme.

-    helped these people to gain approximately 1,300 new industry accepted qualifications.

-    helped 37 people back into further education and training.

-    created eighty jobs.

-    created £5 additional business revenue for every £1 we invested.

1.4       Examples of our successes include:

-    companies on our procurement programme won new business valued in excess of £250,000 and created 2 new jobs.

-    participants on our BITES programme saved £240,000 on their overheads in the first year, reduced Energy usage (Gas and electricity) by 800 MWh (Mega Watt Hours) and reduced their waste to landfill by 300 tonnes.

-    last year's participation by Belfast companies in the world’s largest music and media event in Austin in the USA generated $270,000 worth of immediate new contracts for Belfast companies.

1.5       In the current economic climate, micro and small businesses continue to face significant challenges.  In order to help them address these challenges, a number of support activities are proposed for endorsement.  If approved, these will be rolled out directly and in conjunction with partner agencies in the course of the current financial year. 

2          Key Issues

2.1       Council carried out its own Belfast Business survey 2011 early this year.  It involved a telephone survey of 500 companies located within the city council boundaries.  The survey was representative of the business base in the city and was stratified by company size, location and business sector.

2.2       The survey identified the scale of the challenge:

-    Less than half of the businesses surveyed (46%) export outside Northern Ireland

-    Around 1 in 4 businesses experienced growth over the past 12 months

-    While only 12% of businesses questioned in the 2010 survey anticipated a decline in demand for the coming year, 44% of this questioned in this year’s survey actually experienced a decline

-    In terms of costs, the majority of businesses reported an increase in heating and fuel costs and supplier costs last year.  Looking further ahead into 2011 higher proportions are expecting costs to increase across almost all areas

-    Almost four out of five businesses are not availing of any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

            The Committee noted the contents of the Department’s Quarterly Financial Report for the period January till March, 2011.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which had been prepared by Oxford Economics in respect of the economic competitiveness of Belfast.

             The Committee approved, subject to the strengthening therein of the Council’s comments on its support for a reduction in the rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland, the undernoted response to the aforementioned consultation being undertaken by HM Treasury:

      “Is there a need to rebalance the Northern Ireland economy by strengthening the private sector over the longer term and to increase economic growth and promote significant new investment?

      The UK government has invested heavily in growing the private sector in Northern Ireland for some 30 years especially since the introduction of the EU Structural Funds in 1995 with over £4billion allocated to economic development over that period. However it is clear that that investment, while necessary, has contributed to a structural imbalance in the economy.  The upshot is that the regional economy is now seen as being dependent on the public sector, with a private sector whose potential for growth, innovation and exports needs to be further boosted^[1].

      Going forward, it is clear that there will be less public funding available and therefore an alternative approach is essential. 

      In this regard, cities – and Belfast in particular – can play a significant role in meeting this challenge.  In the current Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 10 year review, it is noted that the new RDS is being prepared in a very different economic context to its predecessor. The consultation document describes ‘how cities and urban areas will come to the fore and will be the drivers for economic development. The main spatial considerations shaping future growth are the importance of Belfast and Derry with a network of key service centres...’ (para 2.59).  Belfast currently provides employment for 108,000 in-commuters from neighbouring districts – over half of all those employed in the city^[2].  It is also home to two-thirds of Northern Ireland’s service sector FDI (by value) and 75% of total NI service sector exports originate from Belfast.

      Cities therefore have the potential to make the greatest contribution to the required economic growth and efforts to grow the private sector should consequently be focused here.   

      Where is there most scope for increasing productivity, reducing labour market inactivity and increasing growth?

      The focus should be on developing both ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ economic infrastructure.

      In our response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s consultation on ‘Priorities for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity’, we suggested that addressing the skills challenges was fundamental to addressing the challenges of productivity growth, labour market inactivity and economic growth. 

      We referred to a report undertaken on behalf of Belfast City Council in 2008 which found that over half of net new jobs in Belfast over next decade will require graduate qualifications while less than 1 in 7 will require no qualifications.  A similar report undertaken at Northern Ireland level sought to forecast future skills needs up to the period 2020 – the period of this strategy^[3].  This report noted that, if Northern Ireland had equivalent UK concentrations in sectors, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Director reminded the Committee that the MIPIM Conference was one of the world’s largest property exhibitions and was held each year in Cannes, France. Since 2000, the Council had been represented at the event and in 2010 it had hosted a promotional stand in conjunction with Lisburn and Derry City Councils, together with a range of government departments and private sector companies. The Director provided the Committee with an overview of the advantages and disadvantages which that collaborative approach had brought and reported that, in 2010, excluding staffing costs, it had cost the Council £20,000 to participate at MIPIM.

            The Director outlined a number of options for consideration for the Council’s future participation at the event and provided an overview of the costs and potential benefits. He acknowledged that, whilst the Council had participated at MIPIM for a significant number of years, it had been somewhat difficult to identify the specific

benefits which the City had accrued, given the significant costs associated with participation. He suggested, given the current constraints on the Council’s financial resources, that the Committee consider reviewing the Council’s future options for participation at MIPIM or other similar events.

            After discussion, it was

Moved by Alderman Humphrey,

Seconded by Councillor Robinson and

      Resolved – That the Council agrees not to be represented at the MIPIM Conference in 2012.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that, at the 16 March 2011 meeting of the Development Committee, it was agreed that up to £25,000 would be provided to Shopmobility for the provision of accessibility services within the city centre.  This funding was to be framed within a service level agreement with BelfastCity Centre Management (BCCM), ensuring that the services provided were aligned to the aims and objectives of this organisation.

1.2       At its 27 April 2011 meeting, the Board of BCCM indicated that it was concerned that the services to be provided were not proprietary and that, potentially, an organisation other than Shopmobility could provide these services.

1.3       It was therefore proposed that a quotation for the procurement of the specified services be drawn up and issued by BCCM, subject to endorsement of this approach by Belfast City Council.

2          Key Issues

2.1       In discussions with BCCM, it emerged that there are a number of accessibility-related activities within their current business plan which would benefit from specialised input.  These include:

2.2       Accessibility into and around the city centre

-    Audit and assessment of the 10 ‘mobility hubs’ identified in a recent DSD/DRD report

-    Present reports on the facilities at each location and develop action plans for the enhancement of provision at these locations

-    Undertake an audit of designated ‘walking corridors’ on key city centre routes to check for accessibility issues e.g. crossing points; drop-off points; dropped kerbs

-    Present reports to identify priority actions to enhance accessibility on these routes.

2.3       Marketing and Communication

-    Development of a marketing and communication campaign to promote the Belfast Access Guide – to be launched in June 2011

-    Support retailers and small businesses in implementing best practice identified in the guide.

2.4       It is proposed that these activities will frame the work programme for the delivery period August 2011 – March 2012.

2.5       An advert for the provision of services will be placed in relevant local press, following agreement of the specification and procurement process.

3          Resource Implications

3.1       A budget of up to £25,000 has been set aside for this work within the current year’s business plan.

3.2       If this approach is endorsed, the delivery of this work will be overseen by the Public Space Management Group of BCCM (chaired by Belfast City Council’s Director of Health and Environmental Services).

4          Equality and Good Relations Considerations

4.1       Positive contribution to equality and good relations by enhancing accessibility for those with accessibility problems.

5          Recommendations

5.1       It is recommended that Members:

-    note and approve the proposal by BCCM to go through a procurement exercise for the provision of accessibility services, further to the Committee’s decision of 16 March 2011

-         approve the proposed work plan outlined in section 2.2 and 2.3.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council was, as part of a consortium which had been established in 2005, a major funder of advice and information services across the City. It was reported that the Council’s level of funding for 2011/2012 was £355,729 and that the Department for Social Development provided match funding to the Community Support Programme, which in 2011/2012 would be in the sum of £469,902. The Committee was also reminded that, in 2011/2012, the Council’s advice allocations for the City would be distributed on the following percentage basis, viz., North Belfast 27.33%; South Belfast 13.51%; East Belfast 16.82%; West Belfast 32.34% and City Centre 10.00%, which would be subject to a future review.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed to accept the Department for Social Development’s funding of £469,902 for 2011/2012. It was agreed also that this would be distributed across the City in accordance with the percentage breakdown as set out.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       The purpose of this report is to request extensions to existing events tenders beyond their initial contract period and for the issuing of a laser lighting tender for the purpose of the marking the opening of the Belfast Titanic building.  This tender would be on behalf of NITB with BCC as the delivery vehicle for the event, but not involve Council finances.

1.2       Members are asked to note that in October 2010 Council agreed to the issuing of the tenders listed below:

1.3       -     Production Management

-     PA, Stage and Lighting

-     Mobile Video Screens

-     Fireworks

-     Carnival Parade

1.4       All these tenders assist in the delivery of the Council’s large scale civic events by the way of production management contracts with a variety of companies.  This arrangement allows experienced operators to tender for Council contracts whilst full budgetary control remains within the Council.  These service contracts would be issued initially for one year, with the option of renewal for a further three years. 

1.5       Members are being asked to extend the existing contracts.  The rationale behind the request to Committee is due to: the need to develop and put in place a more robust procurement strategy aimed at achieving greater value for money and minimising risks associated with today’s public procurement environment.  All these factors have added to a considerable delay to the issuing of tenders, along with added workloads for both the Procurement and City Events Units.  As a result, it is unlikely that the respective tender processes will be completed by the end of the terms of the current contract periods.

1.6       Belfast Titanic Festival 2012 Laser & Lighting Tender

            As part of the commemoration to mark the centenary of Titanic 2012 Members are being requested to agree to the issuing of a tender for a laser and lighting show on behalf of NITB on the basis that this event will form part of the Council lead Titanic Belfast festival.

2          Key Issues

2.1       The City Events Unit has been working with the Council’s Procurement Unit since the Committee approved the issuing of the tenders in October 2010.  As the process has developed it has become clear that in order to ensure maximum value for money within the tendering process that considerable more work is required to enable the tenders to go public.  Therefore, with the endorsement of the Procurement Unit, Members are asked to approve an extension to the existing contracts. 

2.2       The existing service contracts are due to expire between the end August and the start of November 2011 and despite the extensive work by the both Council units it is clear that the tendering process will not be completed before the expiration of the current contracts.  Therefore, Members are being requested to agree to the extending of the contracts on a month to month basis, with a cap of six months from July 2011.

2.3       Belfast Titanic Festival 2012 Laser & Lighting Tender

            Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

            The Committee agreed to note the contents of a report which outlined the targets which had been set in respect of visitor numbers, business and leisure tourism and visitor servicing by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau for the year 2011/2012.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.       Relevant Background Information

1.1       Cultural Tourism Visitor Management Plan

            The Cultural Tourism Visitor Management Plan (CTVMP) was developed in 2004 to encourage visitor flow throughout Belfast through the provision of an integrated navigation, orientation and interpretative signage system.

1.2       Approximately 200 signs have been installed throughout the City to date including welcome hubs, primary hubs, navigational blades, building blades and finger posts.  Appendix 1 outlines the images of the Signage Scheme.  New signs are erected subject to demand and budget availability.

1.3       At the meeting of the Council in March 2007 approval was given for the Cultural Tourism Visitor Management tender and in August 2007 a four year tender was awarded to deliver the CTVMP Phase 2 to include the design, manufacture, delivery, installation, storage and subsequent maintenance of signs. The current CTVMP tender ends in September 2011. Appendix 2 gives an example of the Tender Signage Brief for Phase 1 CTVMP.

1.4       In 2009, the Cultural Tourism Visitor Management Plan won the Association of Town Centre Management’s National Award in the ‘Centre Move’ Category, which dealt with moving people around the centre of a city.

2.         Key Issues

2.1       Members are asked to consider inviting tenders for a further four year period.  The value will be up to £100,000 per annum and therefore the contract must be advertised via European journal and will take approximately 10-12 weeks to award.

2.2       In case there is any delay in the tendering process, Members are also asked to approve the extension of the existing contract until the new contract is in place.  If required, this would be no more than a few weeks.

2.3       The current CTVMP tender is being delivered by Red Sky Group Ltd.  The Directors of Red Sky placed the company into Voluntary Administration following the purported cancellation of contracts by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.  The decision was taken with full agreement and the continuing support of the bank.

2.4       The Administrators (BDO Chartered Accountants) have successfully secured the support of the Company’s core supplier and sub-contractor ensuring a continuity of supply of its services.

2.5       The Council’s Legal Services and Project Management Unit met with BDO, to discuss the current trading status.

2.6       The outcome is that Red Sky is continuing to trade and is supported by the bank and Administrator who want to ensure they continue as an ongoing concern.  All of the Council’s orders will be monitored by the Administrators.  The Council’s Legal Services and Project Management Unit are satisfied with this arrangement and Red Sky will continue to deliver the CTVMP until the contract expires in September 2011 or if agreed by Members, when a new contractor is appointed.

3.         Resource Implications

3.1       Financial

            Tender for the design, interpretation, construction, cleaning and maintenance of signage, over four years.  £100,000 per annum exists within Departmental budgets for ongoing cleaning and maintenance.

3.2       Human Resources

            Within the Tourism, Culture and Arts Unit.  The process of tendering will be managed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

            (Mr. T. Husbands, who had recently been appointed to the position of Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast, left the room whilst discussion in this matter was ongoing.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware of the financial commitment of £10million to be made by Council towards Titanic Belfast, an iconic tourism signature project for the City and Northern Ireland.  This new world-class visitor attraction forms part of the regeneration of the Titanic Quarter, a major mixed use scheme that once complete will form a new quarter of the city within an expanded Belfast City Centre offering residential, tourism, retail, leisure and high quality employment opportunities to the residents of Belfast and beyond.

1.2       Titanic Belfast was first identified in NITB’s Strategic Framework for Action 2004-2007 as one of five key tourism signature projects for development to enhance the Northern Ireland tourism offering. Identified for its potential to create international stand out and world class excellence

            for Northern Ireland, Titanic Belfast is based on the Titanic and Maritime Belfast Heritage theme. This iconic building, located in the heart of the Titanic Quarter development will open in April 2012 marking the 100th anniversary of the launch of the vessel. It will showcase the story of the Titanic and the wider theme of shipbuilding and seafaring in Belfast, including the engineering, industrial, social, cultural and economic origins and connections. 

1.3       The Titanic Belfast project is leveraging £90million of public and private sector investment and will create not just significant economic benefits but a wide range of social benefits which will have the potential to improve the quality of life for everyone in the City.

1.4       Members may recall that as a condition to the Council’s funding, Titanic Quarter Ltd (TQL) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Council in June 2009.  The aim of the MOU is to maximize the potential of the regeneration of the former shipyard, ensuring the development is integrated with the rest of Belfast.  The agreement sets out obligations on both parties and a number of Government Departments to ensure that people from all over the City have the capacity to access the opportunities arising from the regeneration of the 185-acre site. The current MOU sets out the governance structure and management arrangements for taking this process forward and seeks to promote partnership working across a number of priority areas namely, work, tourism, housing, space, access and outreach.  Working Groups have been set up under each of these themes, all of which are now functional, albeit with different levels of impact at this point.   A detailed report on the progress of the various workstreams will be presented to the Titanic Quarter Working Group once it is reconstituted.

1.5       At a Special Meeting of the Committee on 30 November 2010 Members noted a critical issue was to ensure effective city wide engagement and agreed that a project be developed to design and implement a meaningful  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Key Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to facilitate Committee consideration of the proposed extension of existing lease arrangements for the following premises:

-    Benview/Ballysillan Play Centre

-    Loop River Play Centre

-    BELB/Clarawood Community Association –

      Anne Napier Centre

-    Walkway Community Association

-    Percy street Community Centre

2.         Benview/Ballysillan Play centre

2.1       Key issues including any relevant background information:

            Community Services has, since June 1997, had a Licence Agreement with Benview/Ballysillan Tenant’s Association to use part of the community owned Benview Community Centre to run a BCC play centre. We are seeking to renew this Licence Agreement for a further 12 months from the 1st July 2011

2.2       Resource Implications:

            This licence has operated with the council paying a rental amount to the Tenants Association of £4,025.56 (2010/11) for partial use of their facility. This rental will be met from within existing budgets. 

2.3       Equality and Good Relations Considerations:

            There are no equality or Good Relations considerations.

2.4       Recommendation:

            It is recommended that the Licence agreement is renewed for a further 12 months subject to a rent of £4,025.56 per annum.  This acquisition will be subject to the approval of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in accordance with Standing Orders 46 and incorporation of appropriate terms as confirmed/agreed by council’s Legal Services.

2.5       Decision tracker

            CDM to liaise with Director of Property and Projects with a view to bringing a report to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in due course.

3.         Loop River Play Centre

3.1       Key issues including any relevant background information:

            In February 2007 the Community and Recreation committee approved the use of the Scout Association’s Courtney Hall, situated on the Cregagh Road, as alternative accommodation for the Loop River play centre. Previously the play centre was located in the Belfast City Council Loop River park but this was sold for housing development.  The play centre has full use of the building during the day from Monday to Friday and has been holding over in occupation since expiry of a renewal in August 2010 continuing to pay £190.00 per week as originally agreed in 2007.

3.2       Resource Implications:

            This licence has operated with the council paying a rental amount to the Scout Association of £190.00 per week which will be met from within existing budgets.

3.3       Equality and Good Relations Considerations:

            There are no equality or Good Relations considerations.

3.4       Recommendation:

            It is recommended that the Licence agreement is renewed for a further period of 18 months from 1 July 2011 again at a cost of £190.00 per week. This acquisition will be subject to the approval of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in accordance with Standing Orders 46 and incorporation of appropriate terms as confirmed/agreed by council’s Legal Services.

3.5       Decision Tracker

            CDM to liaise with Director of Property and Projects with a view to bringing a report to the Strategic Policy and Resources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1  Relevant Background Information

1.1BelfastCity Council through the work of Community Services has benefited in 2010 from over 75,000 hours of volunteer support.  This has enabled the Council to deliver an enhanced service to local communities.  

1.2According to the 2010 Volunteer Impact Assessment Report conducted for Community Services by Volunteer Now, for every £1 that BCC invests in volunteering, £3.45 is levered in return.  This information is based on a VIVA (The Volunteer Investment and Value Audit) calculation which uses the average gross hourly wage of a full-time employee in Northern Ireland to give an economic value to volunteer hours.

1.3The Volunteer Impact Assessment Report 2010 identified a number of benefits of volunteering, for example, for the council through extending and informing its service delivery and for the volunteer by developing skills and confidence and a sense of community belonging:

-      The important work of the summer schemes has benefited year after year from the dedication of our volunteers with 69% of our volunteers involved in this work.  This has enabled our children and young people to benefit from a range of varied activities and experiences.

-      Supporting the continued development for the youth of the city, the Youth Forum has provided an opportunity for young people from across the nine electoral wards of Belfast to contribute to a series of projects through volunteering e.g. supporting the development of

        Belfast’s new UrbanSportsPark and working with Good Relations on the second phase of the Belfast Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan.  This important work helps us to work with and engage with our next generation in the development of the city and improve the design and deliver of our services.

-      Volunteers also benefit as individuals from volunteering. Of those surveyed, 66% stated that their team working skills had improved through volunteering and almost 2/3rds of volunteers indicated that their sense of community identity had also increased.  80% of our volunteers told us that one of the biggest benefits of volunteering was their feeling that they are making a useful contribution and giving something back to their local community.

-      Local communities benefit from volunteering as it enables BCC  to provide an added value to the services we provide locally. 91% of service users surveyed indicated that they felt volunteers brought special qualities to what they did and that the services offered by volunteers were as good as you would get anywhere.

1.42011 is the European Year of the Volunteer (EYV). This is a year designated by the European Union to acknowledge the value and work of volunteers.   This is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the significant contribution of volunteers to BCC.  It is also the 10th anniversary of the United Nations International Year of Volunteering: IYV +10.  The EU has identified 4 themes for this year

-      To create an enabling and facilitating environment for volunteering in the EU

-      To empower volunteer organisations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 15th October, 2008, it had agreed to seek expressions of interest from Members for appointment to Community and Play Centre Committees. The Director indicated that the current list of nominees required to be updated and, subsequent to the Local Government Elections on 5th May, it would be appropriate to seek expressions of interest from Members for nominations to Management Committees.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that those Members who had previously been on the undernoted list of Management Committees, and had been re-elected at the Local Government Elections, be re-appointed for the next Council term and agreed also that a report in respect of expressions of interest received from additional Members would be submitted for consideration in due course:

            The Director reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 9th December, 2009, it had adopted a revised format for the Council’s State of the City initiative. He provided an overview of feedback received on the revised format and outlined the successes of the series of debates which had been hosted by the Department. He pointed out that the next scheduled debate would take place on Tuesday, 28th June in the Banqueting Hall, City Hall, and would focus on economic issues pertinent to the City. In addition, the keynote speaker would be Mr. Neil Gibson from Oxford Economics, who would give an address on the findings of his research into Belfast’s economic competitiveness and outline the challenges which faced the City.  The Director added that further debates would take place during the year and a report on the topics for discussion would be submitted for consideration by the Committee at its meeting in August.

Noted.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 6th December, 2010, it had endorsed a response to the ‘Belfast on the Move’ consultation which had been launched by the then Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Conor Murphy, M.L.A., in the City Hall in September, 2010.  The Director reported that, subsequent to the submission of the Council’s response, the Department had undertaken a review of the original consultation and had made a number of amendments as a result.  Accordingly, the Director outlined the proposed changes which the Department was seeking to make to the original document, viz.,

·         the locating of a coach ‘drop off and pick up’ point in Donegall Square West;

·         minor amendments to the location of service bays in response to concerns raised by traders; and

·         a new cycle lane in Joy Street.

            The Committee was advised that further consultation would be undertaken by the Department and that a report on further proposed amendments would be submitted for the Committee’s consideration in due course. 

            After discussion, the Committee noted the information provided.

            The Committee agreed to receive, at its meeting on 27th June, a presentation in respect of the Council’s proposed approach to the review of the Regional Transportation Strategy.

            The Committee was reminded that the Forum for Alternative Belfast, which had been established in 2009, sought to encourage debate on the ongoing changes to the City’s built environment by drawing on the lessons of the past to influence future development. In both 2009 and 2010, the Forum had hosted successful summer schools which had addressed, respectively, the subject of brown field sites in Belfast and the adverse impact which the major roads network had had on the inner north area of the City.

            It was reported that the third annual Summer School would take place from 15th till 19th August in the Ashby Institute at the Queen’s University of Belfast. The topic for the School would be the issue of the connectivity of south Belfast to the city centre. Accordingly, the Director advised the Committee that a request for support for the hosting of the Summer School had been received from the Forum for Alternative Belfast. He pointed out that the event had been organised on a voluntary basis and aimed to attract participants from local communities, as well as representatives from statutory bodies and agencies from across Belfast.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to contribute a sum of up to £2,000 to assist the Forum for Alternative Belfast in the holding of the Summer School. It was agreed also that all Members of the Committee would be authorised to attend the Summer School as an approved duty.

            The Committee endorsed the undernoted response as its submission to the above-mentioned consultation:

Council Response

Introduction

      BelfastCity Council welcomes this opportunity to comment on revised Planning Policy Statement 2 – Natural Heritage. Protection of our natural heritage is in line with our Corporate Plan key theme – Better Care for Belfast’s Environment and as such we are pleased to see greater protection of natural heritage assets through the planning system.

      This revision to PPS 2 is a welcome update considering the significant changes in the statutory framework that governs protection of our natural heritage assets. The revised PPS 2 will provide a valuable mechanism to ensure the protection of our biodiversity and aid Northern Ireland in the preparation for future EU targets and commitments.

      The revised document aims to update the planning policy framework for the protection of designated sites and protected species to achieve a policy that is up to date and fit for purpose. In order to help achieve a document that will be as relevant and practical as possible the Council have covered the topics in the Department’s questions and highlighted a number of key issues in this response.

      Biodiversity provides numerous ecosystem services such as water purification, carbon storage and flood protection.  For example pollination by bees and other insects provide services boosting agricultural production worth at least $153 billion annually.  Many of these services are under threat. 

      The recent Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) report estimated the economic value of biodiversity and ecosystems between $21 trillion and up to $72 trillion per yr.  By 2050 loss of biodiversity under a business as usual scenario could cost up to 7 per cent of global GDP.  The study shows that the cost of sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services is lower than the cost of allowing biodiversity and the services it provides to decline. 

      The EU Communication ‘Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020’ acknowledges that biodiversity loss is the most critical global environmental threat alongside climate change – and the two are inextricably linked.  Consequently the EU has committed to a new vision and target for biodiversity ‘to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU by 2020 and restore them insofar as possible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss’.  The previous EU 2010 biodiversity target to halt the loss of biodiversity was not met.

      In Northern Ireland we have set targets to significantly reduce biodiversity loss by 2010 and to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2016. It is imperative that the economic benefit our natural heritage provides through these services is considered within the planning process. 

      The revised PPS 2 lacks justification and amplification for each policy, in each case relying on the Supplementary Planning Guidance. Whilst Belfast City Council welcomes the attempt to achieve concise and more streamlined Planning Policy Statements this should not be done at the expense of clarity and essential guidance. Consideration should be given  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 12th May, 2010, it had approved the development of a new Integrated Cultural Strategy for Belfast and authorised also a review to be carried out on the Council’s multi-annual and annual funding schemes.  It was reported that the review had been completed and, accordingly, prior to it being considered by the Committee in September, authority was sought to undertake Political Party briefings.

            The Committee granted the approval sought.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that at a Development Committee meeting held on 10 June 2009, approval was given to develop Literary Tourism in Belfast. The Cultural Tourism Strategy ‘Developing Belfast’s Opportunity’ detailed the aim to support and develop new cultural tourism product development and to make specific areas of culture and heritage more accessible to visitors.  In Belfast City Council’s new strategy, Belfast Tourism Gateway to the Future, Literary Tourism has been identified as a priority area in order to develop the Belfast Experience. 

1.2       It was recognised that there is substantial potential for the development of Literary Tourism in Belfast.  The UK currently features number one in a list of the top ten literary destinations of the world compiled by TripAdvisor and literary tourism contributes up to £2.6 billion a year to the British economy.  In July 2010, Dublin was designated as a UNESCO City of Literature and have put in place a range of products to capitalise on Literary Tourism.  Belfast now attracts global literary renown and over the past decades, this has been our foremost imaginative export. Belfast’s literary heritage has a role to play in ‘place-making’ and is an important dimension in the marketing of Belfast as an international destination.  Belfast’s own literary reputation plays a part in this global success story and there are many benefits from enhancing our literary offer.

1.3       Following recommendations at a meeting of the Development Committee held on 16 September 2009, an advisory group was established to oversee content development for a Literary Tourism Programme. At a further meeting held on 9 December 2009 members agreed that Literary Tourism should be submitted to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Tourism Innovation Fund which aimed to enhance the growth, quality, competitiveness and sustainability of tourism by stimulating product development and improving the visitor experience. The application resulted in a contribution of £118,500 from NITB towards Belfast’s Literary Tourism and plans were also significantly enhanced through new partnerships established with Queen’s University, BBC, Arts Council NI and Tourism Ireland. Based on leading Case Studies from the UK’s Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change such as ‘Developing the Potential of Literary Tourism’ and Dublin’s Literary Tourism initiatives, this aims of the new products and initiatives were to:

-    create distinction for Belfast in a competitive marketplace

-    appeal to special interest and niche tourism markets and attract domestic and out-of-state tourists

-    enhance the visitor experience

-    improve the weekend economy and increase overnight stays

-    use innovative technology to improve access to and dissemination of visitor information

-    encourage the economic benefits of tourism

1.4       An update on product development and content was provided to the Development Committee Update in August 2010.

2          Key Issues

2.1       Belfast City Council’s Literary Tourism Plan is now in place and the following new products have been completed and will be seen for the first  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an overview and breakdown of the Community Festivals Fund for 2011/2012.

            The Committee endorsed the undernoted response to the above-mentioned consultation:

Council Response

Overall comments

      The Council is broadly supportive of the draft strategy and looks forward to seeing a more detailed proposal in due course. The Council also recognises the good work that has already been done in this area by DEL.

      While not directly affected by the proposal, the Council sees this strategy as impacting on its priority to support children and young people and to reduce poverty. It also aligns with our work to increase employability and create jobs while helping local businesses and growing the economy. The Council is already involved in several relevant programmes. These include, support for people who may wish to become entrepreneurs, yearly work placements for university and school age students, outreach programme for the long term unemployed people and programmes to help long-term unemployed into jobs (such as our HARTE scheme), attending career fairs and similar events, providing mock interviews and other learning opportunities for young people, various skills and employability training across our community centres, and programmes to deter young people from engaging in anti-social behaviour.

      The Council’s main concern with the proposals is the focus on Category B NEETs as described in sections 2.9 to 2.11 and 2.23 to 2.24. Firstly, according to DEL’s figures:

·         16% are Category A – people doing a gap year or voluntary work and so do not need help.

·         18% are Category B – those 16-19 year olds with a child or who are experiencing serious illness or disability, a significant proportion of which may be unable to work or undertake training no matter what support is available.

·         66% are Category C – those that despite no identifiable barrier are still NEET.

      Assuming category A will not need help, that means of those that need support, 79% are Category C compared to only 21% who are in Category B. Normal business logic (as well as ethical concerns) would suggest therefore that targeting Category C would help more young people and hence provide a bigger impact with the resources available.

      Secondly, the barriers described for Group B (16 – 19 year olds with a child or who are experiencing serious illness or disability) seem to be factors that are not easily dealt with under DEL’s current remit and are already being addressed by other departments such as DHSSPS. While reluctant to reduce the debate about young people who can not find employment or training to a ‘numbers game,’ using the report’s own argument from section 2.23 – 2.24 suggests that more people will be helped and the cost to society will be lower if the strategy focuses on category C.

      Regarding categories of NEETs, the Council also wonders if DEL has any information relating to the breakdown of numbers in other ways. For example, what are the relative percentages in the groups mentioned in section 4.6 of the report? Or do we know the breakdown using the method mentioned by Prince’s Trust,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

            The Committee endorsed the undernoted response to the above-mentioned consultation:

“Council Response

      Thank you for asking us to respond to the Criminal Records review. The proposals have created much interest especially within our HR Dept, Children and Young People unit and wider Community Services.

      Unfortunately, due to the regional and Council elections it was impossible to put your proposals and our analysis to our Committee before the deadline. We are sending these comments in the hope that they may still be useful.

Background Information

      BelfastCity Council is a Registered Body which uses AccessNI for Enhanced Disclosures on some staff posts and for volunteers that will work in our directly managed community and play centres with children and vulnerable adults.

      We are also registered as an Umbrella Organisation and process Enhanced Disclosure on behalf of community organisations for volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults.

Q10         Balance between public protection and individual rights in the current Disclosure process

                The issue appears to be what is regarded as individual rights. The main rationale behind our work is to support children, young people and vulnerable adults. Their needs are paramount and their protection must take priority. Hence their individual rights to attend a service where they will not be potentially harmed has to remain paramount.

                There needs to be the mechanism where challenges can be made regarding the information provided. Applicants are able to see the information provided by AccessNI as they receive a copy of the certificate that is provided to the employer.

                Within Belfast City Council Community Services, we follow NIACRO guidelines and where there are concerns regarding information about a volunteer, they are offered a meeting to provide further information before a decision is made.

Q11         Criteria for eligibility for AccessNI Disclosures in your sector clear?

                As part of our overreaching work with children and young people, we have developed good practice guidelines both for working with children and in the recruitment of volunteers. Our guidelines are based upon best practice and follow guidance outlined through the Children (NI) Order 1995, Volunteer Now and Keeping Safe Child Protection guidelines.

                Most of our service would not be considered as a regulated body as we do not provide childcare services. We do provide an extensive range of services for children where they are supported, befriended and supervised. Where the volunteers have responsibility for children in the play setting and would potentially be in a one to one situation, we would seek Enhanced Disclosures prior to working with children.

Q12         Should volunteers be treated differently from paid employees in terms of eligibility for AccessNI disclosures

                The community sector is primarily comprised of volunteers who work on a regular basis providing a valuable service for children and vulnerable adults. Many of the community groups are comprised only of volunteers with no paid staff. Their roles and responsibilities would be the same as a paid staff member.

                For Community Services, as part of our community development ethos, we actively encourage volunteers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update Members regarding developments on two key initiatives led by the European Unit:

1.   The COMET Network

2.   The Opportunity Europe Programme.

2          Key Issues

2.1       COMET Network

2.2       Members will be aware that the European Unit is Secretariat to the Councils of the Metropolitan Area (COMET) Network. This partnership, established in 2002 is a collaborative of the six local economic development units within the Greater Belfast Metropolitan Area.  The network is funded by way of a Service Level Agreement with each Council contributing £5000 per annum.  This is used to offset operational and project related costs.

2.3       To date the success of the Partnership with such limited financial resourcing has been notable. COMET has been successful in attracting European funding, established the COMET Interreg partnership, undertaken joint trade missions and business events and formulated joint lobbying responses in the fields of economic development and urban regeneration. Officers and elected members from the six Councils also undertook a  Economic Development European Awareness visit to Brussels. Following a strategic review of the network officers have recently finalised a five year action plan.

2.4       The independent review of the partnership found that prior to establishment, collaborative working on economic development matters within the cities of Belfast and Lisburn and the boroughs of North Down, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh and Carrickfergus was sporadic and ad hoc. The review notes however, that relationships have been strengthened and developed through the partnership’s formalisation and has reached the point where contact between officers occurs on specific issues.  Equally it recognises that without the structure, officers would focus solely on delivering for their individual areas and not reap the added value of collaboration. This added value was determined as:

2.5      -    Ability to engage in European initiatives and collective projects which they would not have participated in or funded as a single entity;

-    Ability to engage in new areas of activity which they would not have traditionally considered within local economic development activity;

-    Sharing of resources for joint activity has ensured better value for money in attaining Council objectives;

-    Availability of the resource provided by Belfast City Council’s EU Unit and the associated experience and expertise which does not currently exist in the other member Councils; and

-    Leverage of additional funding

2.6       In its analysis of COMET, the review concludes that as it stands, COMET is primarily an operational entity.  Whilst members are satisfied with this emphasis, they do seek to become more strategic and to increase awareness of the partnership’s existence.  To this end a five year plan has been developed as an initial step in this process.

2.7       The Action Plan is focussed around 4 objectives:

-    Stimulating enterprise and entrepreneurship

-    Business development and growth

-    Promoting the COMET region

-    Urban planning and policy

2.8       Under each theme is an ambitious list of desirable activity that partnership members would like to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 19th November, 2003, it had agreed to support the creation of the PLACE Design Centre which aimed to assist in the promotion and awareness of urban design and architecture pertinent to the City. To this end, the Council had provided premises for PLACE within 35-47 Donegall Place, which it shared with both the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and Belfast City Centre Management. The Director reminded the Committee that, from 1st August, 2010, the Council had agreed to extend its lease of 35-47 Donegall Place for a further three years and it was reported that PLACE had requested that it be permitted to continue to operate within the premises over the period of the renewed lease, viz., to end on 31st July, 2013. In addition, it was noted that PLACE had requested that the same levels of Council support be provided to it during this period in respect of the costs associated with rent, rates, maintenance, service charges and insurance premiums. 

            It was reported that PLACE had undertaken an internal review of its structures and, as a result, a new company had been formed. The aim of the new company was to promote its core principles to a wider audience and it was reported that the renewed management structures reflected a full range of members of statutory bodies and agencies from throughout Belfast. Accordingly, it was reported that PLACE had invited the Council to renew its membership of the organisation and to consider whether it wished to avail of the offer of two positions on its management board.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to extend its support to PLACE until 31st July, 2013, subject to the drafting of a suitable management agreement. In addition, it was agreed that the Council renew its membership of the organisation and that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) represent the Council on the management board.

            (Ms. L. Leonard, European Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director of Development reported that a request for assistance had been received from representatives of a consortium which was overseeing a mini festival to celebrate the Christian and cultural linkages between the Belfast Lough area and Saint Gallen in Switzerland. He explained that 2012 would mark the 1400th anniversary of the founding by St. Gall of the St. Gallen Monastery in Switzerland, which had been designated a world-heritage site. It was reported that the organisers were hoping to use the festival to raise awareness of the year-long Europe-wide celebrations of the centenary which will take place throughout 2012. It was reported that the consortium would be hosting a lunchtime event in the City Hall during the week beginning 17th October. This would be attended by approximately 150 guests, together with a number of international dignitaries, and invitations would be extended also to the Lord Mayor, the Deputy Lord Mayor and the High Sheriff, together with all Members of the Committee.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to provide financial assistance towards hospitality for this event in the sum of £1,100.  It was noted that a report on how the Council might mark the anniversary in 2012 would be submitted in due course.

            The Members’ attention was drawn to the fact that the meeting would be the last one attended by Mr. Tim Husbands in his capacity as Head of Civic Events and Venues. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman paid tribute to and thanked Mr. Husbands for the work which he had undertaken on behalf of the Council over the previous seventeen years and wished him every success in his new position as Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast.