Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Aldermen Ekin and Stoker and Councillor Kelly.

            The Democratic Services Officer reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 10th August, it had considered a report in respect of the work of the Council’s Tourism Forum.  At that meeting, it had been pointed out that the Forum had identified a number of issues which it wished to raise with the Minister for Tourism, Mrs. Arlene Foster, M.L.A., in respect of tourism development in Belfast.  Given the considerable range of events which were due to take place during 2012, including the 100th anniversary of the launch of the Titanic, the Committee agreed that it would write to the Minister requesting that she meet with an all-party deputation from the Committee, which would be accompanied by a number of representatives from the Tourism Forum, to discuss issues pertinent to tourism development within the City. Accordingly, it was reported that Minister had subsequently agreed to meet with the Council’s deputation on a date to be determined.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed:

·         that the Council’s deputation to meet the Minister would consist of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, together with one representative from each of the remaining Political Parties, or their nominees;

·         that a maximum of four representatives from the Tourism Forum would be permitted to accompany the deputation; and

·         that the Minister’s Office be advised that the deputation would wish to discuss specifically the development of tourism within Belfast and the marketing of the City as a distinct and vibrant tourist attraction.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 15th June, it had agreed that officers from the Department would consult with each of the Political Parties on the Council in respect of a proposed review of the Integrated Cultural Strategy.  The Democratic Services Officer reported that a consultation exercise had been held on 20th September and that a range of views had been brought to the attention of officers in relation to the contents of any new Strategy. There had also been a suggestion that a further consultation exercise with Members should be undertaken. 

            After discussion, the Committee agreed:

·         to host a further workshop, to which all Members of the Council would be invited, in the Reception Room, City Hall, commencing at 5.15 p.m.; and

·         that, subsequent to the workshop, should any Political Party request further clarification on the proposed Strategy, officers from the Department would undertake to provide addition briefings in this regard.

            The Committee agreed to host a briefing session in respect of the above?mentioned item at 5.15 p.m. on Tuesday, 11th October.  It was noted that all Members of the Council would be invited to attend.

It was reported that no requests had been received.

             The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 23rd August, it had agreed to receive a presentation from representatives from Invest NI in order to explore how the Council might work with the Agency to promote economic regeneration throughout the City. It was reported that Mr. A. Hamilton, Chief Executive, Ms. O. Hinds, Eastern Regional Manager and Mr. J. Fitch, Managing Director of Client Relationships, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

            Mr. Hamilton outlined the role and objectives of Invest NI and explained that the Agency provided support to new and existing businesses to assist them to compete internationally to attract new investment to Northern Ireland. He indicated that Invest NI worked on behalf of the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide

support to local businesses as part of its key economic development strategies. He stated that Invest NI supported both foreign and locally-owned businesses and he provided examples of successful projects which the Agency had supported over the past twelve months.

            Mr. Hamilton then outlined how Invest NI had adapted to address the economic downturn and pointed out that job creation and job protection were now considered to be of equal importance as the aim of wealth creation. He gave an overview of the range of packages and initiatives which had been introduced to provide support during the recession and concluded by stating that it was the aim of Invest NI to work with in partnership with the Council to identify job-creation opportunities and to make the most effective use of resources by providing high-quality services, effective programmes and client support.

            A number of Members thanked the representatives of Invest NI for attending and welcomed Mr. Hamilton’s suggestion that the Council and the Agency should seek to work in partnership to deliver economic regeneration across the City. Mr. Hamilton emphasised the vital role which Elected Members played in the marketing of Belfast at an international level and also in the development of initiatives which could address areas where unemployment was most acute. He added that Invest NI would continue to explore opportunities to establish further job creation programmes, provide high-class business advice and a professional mentoring service to local businesses.  The representatives from Invest NI then retired from the meeting.

            After further discussion, during which Members paid tribute to the officers from the Department for their valuable work with Invest NI, the Committee noted the information provided and noted also that a report in respect of the potential for future collaboration between the Council and Invest NI would be submitted in due course.

            The Committee was reminded that the Cathedral Quarter Steering Group had been established in 2008 by the Department for Social Development, in conjunction with the Council, Belfast City Centre Management and a range of other stakeholders.  The Director pointed out that, at its meeting on 9th December, 2010 the Committee had considered a report in respect of the establishment of a Cathedral Quarter Trust as part of the Steering Group’s development plan for 2010 to 2015. The Director stated that the Steering Group had since completed a period of formal consultation on its development plan and it was intended that the Trust would be established forthwith with a remit:

• to support the Cathedral Quarter as a centre for the arts and creative industries;
• to support the growth of the mixed-use economy within the Cathedral Quarter;
• to generate high levels of public participation; and
• to build and maintain a supportive infrastructure.

            The Director provided an overview of proposed membership for the Cathedral Quarter Trust and reported that an invitation had been extended to the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman to become founder members. 

            After discussion, during which the Members noted that a report would be presented to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in respect of the overall issue of roles and responsibilities of Members serving on outside bodies, including potential conflicts of interest, it was agreed that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) would represent the Committee on the Cathedral Quarter Trust.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

1.1       The Development Department manages a significant grant funding programme to a range of clients enabling community and cultural organisations to make a real difference in people’s lives and to the success of the city.  Our grant funds are a crucial enabling resource towards achieving the goals laid down in our Departmental and Corporate Plan.

1.2       In 2010/2011 the Department dispensed £4 million in grants to organisations across the city.  While we are obviously much more than a grant-maker, we must seek out how best to use our grant-making function to build on assets and opportunities, to encourage self reliance and social responsibility and to overcome the obstacles to economic growth.

1.3       The departmental grant programme is managed across two service areas and includes a range of small and larger grant investments.  The small grant schemes are subject to application and are allocated competitively against agreed criterion.  The grant programme for 2011/2012 is operating within current procedures and it is intended to continue this approach in 2012/2013 in advance of any potential new small grant programme. 

1.4       This report relates primarily to the portfolio of larger grants across the department.

-  Community: Revenue Grant, Capacity Building Grant and

   Advice Services

-  Economic Initiatives:  Culture and Arts Annual and Multi

   Annual Funding

1.5       All programmes in the larger grant category are fully committed for the current financial year.  Decisions are now pending on how we progress the programme for the period from 1st April 2012.

1.6       The SP&R committee are currently reviewing grant funding on a corporate basis.  They hope to report related appropriate findings and recommendations with a view to a planned implementation across council from April 2013.

2          Key Issues

2.1       During the intervening period there have been significant changes in the strategic environment across all our work areas.  There is no doubt that the current economic climate and budgetary pressures facing the entire public sector within Northern Ireland will result in a reduction in many of the traditional grant schemes to the sector.  It is likely that we will see very significant change to current support arrangements with an emphasis on rationalisation and the ending of current contracts to be replaced with more targeted support arrangements.  Central government have also indicated their intent to explore Social Impact Bonds and alternative finance sources, including philanthropic sources, and to help voluntary and community organisations ease their dependency on government grants. 

2.2       BRO are reviewing their approach to Neighbourhood Renewal investment in the region. 

2.3       Council officers are continuing to liaise with officials at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to gauge opportunities in relation to the recently established £80million Social Investment Fund and the proposed Social Protection Fund that will assist those most in need within our wider community.  While the specifics of both funds are still unclear, it is important that we assist government to identify what we feel the priorities should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            The Director advised the Committee that the Department’s Business Development Unit was seeking permission to undertake an evaluation of the Economic Development Unit to assist in the development of an evaluation framework to oversee its work over the next three years.  The Director provided an overview of the work of the European Unit, particularly in respect of its success in securing European Union Structural Funds. He outlined the range of enterprise and business initiatives which the Unit had provided assistance towards and pointed out that, given the current economic climate, it had been deemed necessary to re-evaluate the work of the Unit to enable it to focus on a smaller number of activities in order to maximise its potential.  The Committee was advised further that the aims of the review would be:

·         to develop a logical framework to reflect ‘theories of change’ as adopted by the Unit;

·         to identify clear outcomes, both quantitative and qualitative, which would enable achievements to be measured;

·         to establish a practical data collection system; and

·         to provide training for staff in respect of the logical framework and to utilise data collection systems more effectively in conjunction with existing Council systems. 

            Accordingly, the Committee was requested to authorise expenditure in the sum of £25,000 to undertake the evaluation of the Unit, provision for which had been made within the Department’s revenue estimates.

            After discussion, the Committee granted the authority sought.

            The Committee considered the Department’s quarterly finance report for the period from April till of June 2011. The Director clarified a number of issues in respect of the Department’s financial position and in particular the extent of, and factors contributing to, a projected year-end under spend.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.       Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members at Development Committee on 15th June 2011, agreed to contribute £1,865,465 towards Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau’s (BVCB) marketing and visitor servicing plans in 2011/2012 and agreed that the first six months of performance would be reported back to Committee in September 2011.

1.2       The top line targets outlined in the Belfast Integrated Strategic Tourism Framework by 2014 are;

            40% increase in overnight visitors to 2.38 million

            20% increase in bed-nights to 4.7 million

            20% increase in spend to £294 million

1.3       To reach these targets will require a joint effort between Belfast City Council, BVCB, Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), Tourism Ireland and the private sector.  This report provides an overview of BVCB’s performance to date against specific performance indicators as detailed in the Belfast City Region Marketing and Visitor Servicing Plan 2010 – 2014 (presented to Development Committee in February 2011).

1.4       A list of BVCB’s key targets and performance achieved to date has been circulated.

1.5       Officers meet BVCB on a regular basis to discuss progress of the plan and sit as observers on the Board.  Eight Members of Belfast City Council are Directors on the Board of BVCB.  A formal review of progress is undertaken by officers on a quarterly basis.

1.6       BVCB is tasked with leveraging income from the private sector.  In BWC, space is allocated to Failte Ireland (FI) at a rental value of £25k / year and this has generated income in previous years of £5k.  This is further clarified in Appendix 2.

2          Key Issues

2.1       NITB Funding

When Committee agreed funding for BVCB in June 2011, NITB was still in the process of confirming their contribution.  NITB has now issued their Service Level Agreement which

the board of BVCB has agreed.  Overall funding has been reduced from NITB from £600,000 to £416,667, with the main impact on Leisure Tourism Marketing, which they no longer support (a decrease of £175,000).  NITB has increased support towards Business Tourism Marketing and continue to support Visitor Servicing, although the latter on a decreasing scale.  NITB has given a commitment to fund BVCB up to 2015, subject to budgets prevailing and satisfactory performance.

2.2       Officers have discussed this directly with NITB and the rationale for the reduction in funding is based on cuts to their own budget and competing demands.  In respect of Leisure Marketing, NITB have a budget of £2 million (partly funded via ERDF) to target NI / ROI markets.  This funding can not be allocated to a third party.  NITB has given a strong commitment that Belfast will feature heavily in any campaign and they will work with BVCB at planning stages to ensure consistency around messages and activities.  This presents an opportunity for Belfast to influence £2 million marketing spend in our closest markets. 

2.3       The reduction in visitor servicing may be offset by NITB investing in the relocation of the Belfast Welcome Centre (BWC)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Committee endorsed, subject to the inclusion of a Member’s comments in relation to issues regarding to the mitigation of noise disturbance, flight paths in respect of departures and landings at the George Best Airport and the strengthening of the case for the Belfast to London service to be considered as a Public Service Obligation Route, the undernoted response to the above-mentioned consultation in respect of the development of a sustainable United Kingdom Aviation Framework:

Appendix 1

            The Committee endorsed the undernoted response in respect of consultation in respect of Travellers’ Accommodation:

            “Response to Consultation re Travellers’ Accommodation

1.1.1    The Council is broadly supportive of the proposed changes and the flexibility they should bring to help address the

issues of finding suitable Traveller sites.

1.1.2    However some areas of concern have been identified.

1.1.3    Firstly, experience from Wales and England has shown that Travellers sites are far more likely to be successful and avoid problems if they are set up and managed according to certain guidelines. These guidelines and good practice have been captured in design guides published by DOENI, ECNI & DCLG (Equality Commission NI Minimum Standards for Traveller Sites, DOE Design Guide for Traveller Sites and the Dept for Community and Local Government Good Practice Guidance Publications).

1.1.4    It may be sensible to make conformance to these guidelines a condition under the revised HS3. Clear reference to these guidelines at the planning stage would also be useful from the perspective of licensing sites under the 1963 Caravans Act.

1.1.5        Secondly, while we do support the flexibility of the changes, the ambiguity of the term ’countryside’ may cause issues. In particular, the policy may benefit from guidance for the consideration of traveller accommodation on designated sites in the countryside, for example an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).

1.1.6    It may be appropriate for the new policy to identify what areas of planning restraint will not be considered for traveller accommodation. This would have the benefit that planning applications that realistically would not be approved, will not be submitted. This in turn would save the Department and the applicant time and expense.

1.1.7    If this clarity cannot be included within the main policy itself it may be that the Justification section below the policy could elaborate on the treatment of protected areas.

1.1.8    In closing, and based on experiences seen in other places where attempts have been made to increase flexibility, we stress the need to ensure that this flexibility is then used. For example it might be beneficial to use an independent assessor to determine the suitability of sites and an inter-agency approach to assess the need for sites.”

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

1.1       Belfast City Council has been a member of the Eurocities network since the early 1990’s. The network now consists of over 140 large European cities and work is focused around the following for:

- Economic Development

- Social Affairs

- Culture

- Mobility

- Knowledge Society

- Environment

1.2       The Secretariat for the network is based in Brussels with a staff of 22 and an Executive Board of elected members from cities throughout Europe.  Meetings are held three times a year in rotated venues around Europe and each forum has a maximum of eight working groups.  An AGM is held each November and is attended by Belfast City Council’s Chair and Deputy Chair of Development along with the Director of Development and the EU Manager.

1.3       Eurocities allows Belfast City Council to develop and strengthen its role in city leadership, reflecting the values and messages contained in the Corporate Plan. This platform has consistently opened avenues of policy development, funding opportunity and legislation dissemination, allowing Belfast a stronger voice both regionally and in Europe.

1.4       During 2011 Belfast City Council has been active in the following fora:

1.5       Economic Development Forum

BelfastCity Council attended the April Munich meeting focussed on lifelong learning approaches in cities and attended the following working groups. We are a member of the Urban Regeneration Working Group – this has led to interest by the Director of Property and Projects to engage in the new working group emerging around Integrated Local Urban Development in cities.  BCC and DSD and NIHE also benefited from the research paper done by the group on a practitioners view on neighbourhood regeneration.

1.6       We are a member of the Metropolitan Area Governance Working Group where BCC has contributed its experience of leading the Comet Partnership.  The research undertaken by this working group around models of Metropolitan Governance will be of interest and use to BCC as RPA re-emerges.  It is also being used to enhance cities’ lobby re: Post 2013 funding being directed to ‘functional urban areas and neighbourhoods’.

1.7       We are also a member of the Creative Clusters Working Group – initial engagement by BCC to learn from other city strategies on Creative industries.

1.8       In anticipation of 2012, BCC is currently considering joining the upcoming Employment/Lifelong Learning Working Group.

1.9       Social Affairs Forum

BelfastCity Council attended the Spring Forum meeting in Grenoble in May which focussed on social innovation.  Contact was made with the Head of the Commission’s new Unit (Migration, Demography and Social Innovation) which will be useful for our lobbying work with regard to the National Reform Programme, in which BCC was active. This may help to increase the emphasis on social inclusion in future national Reform Programmes which typically tend to focus on economics.

1.10     Belfast City Council maintains a watching brief of the ESF taskforce and inputted in the Group’s ESF Statement which is to be presented to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the European Unit was established within the Development Department in September 2003, following the production of a Business Case and Economic Appraisal agreed by Council. The Unit was the only dedicated EU resource in local government on the island of Ireland until June of this year, when Derry City Council took the decision to establish a similar unit which will be fully operative between October-December 2011. Donegal County Council now also has a small Unit within its Development Department.

1.2       BCC’S European Unit has a staff structure of one Manager and three core permanent staff and two time bound Units, one to secure Interreg cross border funding for the Greater Belfast area (on behalf of the six Comet Councils namely; Belfast, Lisburn, Castlereagh, Newtownabbey, North Down and Carrickfergus) and the OpenCities Unit will deliver the economic migrant project which is due to close Mid October 2011.

1.3       The Unit has existed to support all departments within BCC, to influence and disseminate relevant EU Policy and to maximise EU funding. The Unit provides a similar support to the five other Comet Councils through a Service Level Agreement and also provides hands-on advice and support to City Stakeholders including the business and academic and other public sector agencies. Much of this outreach work is directed through the Belfast in Europe group which is led and Chaired by BCC’S EU Unit.

2          Key Issues

2.1       Independent Review of the EU Unit

In February 2011, the Development Department appointed FGS McClure Watters in association with PMG - Consulting to review the Unit and to develop an evaluation framework to be used in the Unit over the next three years.

2.2       An overview of the findings of the review along with the ten recommendations, are highlighted in the Executive Summary attached as Appendix 1 of this Report.

2.3       In outlining the above findings and recommendations and following extensive consultation with internal and external Stakeholders, the Consultants acknowledged that the EU Unit has a strong reputation for delivery. This reputation is set out in a number of NI Consultation responses and in submissions made by Stakeholders to the NI Assembly Meetings on Europe and is mentioned in the OFMDFM Inquiry and Task Force on Europe as best practice.

2.4              Unit Recommendations

2.5       That BCC continues to fund and support the EU Unit, in line with the opportunities identified.

2.6       That the Unit makes accessing funding the top priority objective at least in the short term to support any gaps in funding within the Council. Other objectives should also be included such as influencing Policy across Europe and promoting Europe in Belfast, but these should be secondary.

2.7       With regard to funding; that consideration is given to the Environment, Development and Interreg monies available (as outlined in the EU funding Scan 2007-2013 under taken by the EU Unit). These are all real opportunities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the Belfast Integrated Strategic Framework was launched in March 2011. One of the key themes within the framework is to develop local tourism destinations in order to extend the tourism offer outside the city centre, spread the benefits of tourism and in general lift the standard of visitor experience across the city.

1.2       The development of local tourism destinations will support the council and city wide tourism agencies such as Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau to keep abreast of new developments and address gaps in infrastructure, product and services as well as involving potential new members.

1.3       The initiative will also allow local destinations to better support existing city wide initiatives and identify new city wide themes based on product strengths across the city. At a local level, it will allow local businesses, attractions and communities to influence and be part of shaping the city’s product development, visitor servicing and marketing strategies and more importantly promote local clustering to target agreed segments/visitors. It will provide the opportunity to share research and intelligence to ensure local destinations better understand the target visitor and their needs and requirements to enhance and maximise potential return of a premier visitor experience.

1.4       The local destinations identified in the framework are based on their potential to add to the Belfast tourism offer. They are, in alphabetical order;

1.      Belfast Hills

2.      Connswater Community Greenway

3.      Cathedral Quarter

4.      Gaeltacht Quarter

5.      Lagan Corridor 

6.      Lisburn Road

7.      North Belfast Cultural Corridor

8.      Queen’s Quarter 

9.      Shankill Quarter

10.  Titanic Quarter

1.5       A description of each of the local destinations is attached as Appendix 1, together with an overview of where the destination is in respect of its product life cycle.

1.6       The framework outlines a number of key steps to developing local tourism destinations;

- Engage with local stakeholders

- Audit of tourism related assets

- Establish appropriate vehicle

- Develop and implement local tourism plan

1.7       It should be noted that considerable work has been undertaken across Belfast on tourism audits and identifying local strengths, weaknesses and therefore development of the plan will not be an extensive task; the aim is to focus on delivery. However the opportunity is to ensure that local plans fit with the city’s tourism framework and therefore the audits may require more specific information e.g. food tourism is one of the cities priority products and therefore local audits will identify local food offering e.g. pubs which serve food, cafes, restaurants etc. 

1.8       Having reviewed destination development models in other cities and regions, there is an opportunity to introduce an independent assessment of each local tourism destination via a ‘mystery shopper’ type exercise.  This will also set a baseline for future performance.

2          Key Issues    

2.1       The Belfast Integrated Strategic Tourism Framework spans a period of three years, and a bid has been made for £120,000 per annum to support the implementation of local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1   Relevant Background Information

1.1Members are reminded that, in February 2011, a report to this Committee identified a range of potential funding opportunities under one of the key EU Structural Funds initiatives – the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme. 

1.2The programme can fund a range of economic development initiatives with the aim of promoting sustainable enterprise and entrepreneurship.  Tourism development is also a key component of the programme.

1.3Funding under this programme can be used towards a range of activities including:

-        Direct aid to investments in companies (in particular SMEs) to create sustainable jobs;

-        Infrastructure linked notably to research and innovation, telecommunications, environment, energy and transport; tourism development;

-        Financial instruments (capital risk funds, local development funds, etc.) to support regional and local development and to foster cooperation between towns and regions.

1.3Projects that are supported under this programme are required to find 50% match funding from another public source.  This can be made up by councils or other public bodies.  Some in-kind match funding is also possible. 

1.4The programme contains a number of priorities and measures.  Many of these are subject to open calls for projects, with a range of deadlines for each of the measures. 

1.5The current programme runs until 31 December 2013. This in effect means that for a project to be eligible for funding, all approvals must be obtained and match funding committed by 31 December 2013.  However actual spend on the project can be incurred beyond this date so long as all expenditure is completed by end June 2015.

1.6There are also a number of additional sources of funding for capital schemes which are available to council at present and which could be used – along with council resources – to bring forward a range of projects identified by members as being of strategic importance to the development of the city.

2          Key issues

2.1       Local Economic Development funding

            The European Sustainable Competitiveness programme includes a measure which is nominally ring-fenced to support Council-led local economic development (LED) activity.  This measure has a budget of around €25million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  It is expected to be match-funded by a similar amount from councils (or by councils in conjunction with other match-funders).  The programme is managed by DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment) through its European Programmes Branch.

2.2To date, 14 councils are in receipt of letters of offer totalling around €3.3million. Of this amount, Belfast City Council has 13 letters of offer totalling £1.4million ERDF, operating over a number of financial years and has four applications at economic appraisal stage for a total of £1million EDRF.  This support is match-funded by council resources to deliver a range of enterprise development support initiatives.

2.3DETI  and Invest NI have been engaging with councils in recent months to highlight the potential underspend in the programme and to identify how the commitment might be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee agreed to note the contents of a report which provided an update on the progress to date of a range of neighbourhood renewal action plans throughout Belfast.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that at the Development Committee of 14 November 2007, approval was given for Belfast City Council to cluster with Lisburn City Council and Castlereagh Borough Council for the delivery of Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP).

1.2       Axis 3 of the NIRDP contains a funding allocation (£1,240,000) for the delivery of a programme of Village Renewal for rural settlements across the eligible cluster area of  Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn. The purpose of the measure is to support animation and capacity building within and between villages and their surrounding rural areas.

1.3       A total of 17 eligible villages/rural settlements exist within the three council areas. Within Belfast, the only eligible village/settlement is Hannahstown. The Department for Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) required potential village renewal projects to produce a village development plan, identifying priority projects which can be resourced from the available funds.  This is a compulsory step required before any further funds can be drawn down.  However, DARD funding for this activity is up to a maximum of 75% of costs incurred.

1.4       At the Development Committee of 9th March 2010, approval was given for LisburnCity Council to lead a funding bid (including Belfast and Castlereagh Councils) to DARD to draw down funding for the development of a discrete number of deliverable Village Renewal Plans.

2          Key Issues

2.1       Following a competitive tendering process, The Paul Hogarth Company was appointed to develop a village plan for Hannahstown and the selected villages in Lisburn and Castlereagh council areas.

2.2       The village plan for Hannahstown has identified a number of a priority projects which are eligible and could be resourced from NIRDP funding.    An extract from the plan is attached as Appendix 1. Through a competitive application process villages can apply for up to £250,000 of grant funding under the Village Renewal measure. 

2.3       Match funding of around £80,000 is required to enable the village to draw down the maximum amount of funding from NIRDP.  Of this amount, at least £16,000 must be provided as cash while the remainder can be provided through in-kind contributions, if possible.  This can include technical design work etc.

2.4       The development of the village plan for Hannahstown has identified that the geographical coverage of the village extends into the LisburnCity Council area.  Identified projects within the plan reflect the cross council boundary with projects spanning both council areas, albeit that the footprint of the village lies predominantly within the Belfast boundary and the majority of the occupants of the village also live within the Belfast boundary.  In light of this, LisburnCity Council have indicated that they may consider some of the eligible activity that relates to their boundary e.g. pathways/walking trails. 

2.5       In order to support the local community in bringing forward the development, it is proposed that Belfast City Council provides up to a maximum of £25,000 plus some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

            The Committee was reminded that the Donegall Pass Community Centre operated as a full-time locally-managed facility on behalf of the Council.  It was pointed out that, at its meeting on 12th May, 2010 the Committee had agreed, in conjunction with the Donegall Pass Community Forum, to explore the feasibility of the Council permitting the Community Forum to manage the Centre on its behalf on a full-time basis.  It was reported that it had been anticipated that an associated feasibility study on the management of the Centre by the Forum would take a year to complete. This, it was felt, would be a sufficient period to enable the Community Forum to examine all aspects related to the full-time management of the Centre. 

The Community Safety Manager reported that the Community Forum had requested that the Committee extend, for a further six months, the period permitted for the Forum to develop its business plan and to undertake additional community consultation and research into funding issues prior to the Council considering whether it felt that the facility should be managed on a full-time basis by the Donegall Pass Community Forum.

            After discussion, the Committee acceded to the request.

The Committee was advised that the Department of the Environment’s Road Safety and Vehicle Regulation Division intended to introduce updated regulations and requirements regarding the Taxi Operative Licensing in Northern Ireland.  The Director outlined the changes which had been proposed and pointed out that comments and responses were due to be submitted by 30th September.

After discussion, the Committee agreed that it had no formal comment to make in relation to the proposed changes to the Taxi Act Northern Ireland (2008).

(Mr. G. Copeland, City Events Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 23rd August, it had agreed to provide £138,000 towards an overall programme of events for the 2011 Christmas lights switch-on. However, at that meeting, the Committee had deferred consideration of the holding of a traditional pre and post event reception in the City Hall on the evening to enable further information to be provided.

The City Events Manager reported that, subsequent to the meeting on 23rd August, he had made arrangements for the hosting of the reception on the evening of 19th November in the East Entrance area of the City Hall and in the Bobbin Restaurant. He reported that the provision for the costs associated with the reception had been made within the budget for the overall event. 

Further discussion ensued in respect of the Christmas lights to be displayed in and around the City Hall for the forthcoming festive season and it was

Moved by Councillor Ó Muilleoir,

Seconded by Councillor Mallon,

            That the Committee agrees that an additional sign be erected, as part of the Council’s overall Christmas lights display, which would contain the message ‘Happy Christmas’ in Irish and Ulster-Scots.

On a vote by show of hands eight Members voted for the proposal and four against and it was declared carried.  In addition, the Committee noted the arrangements for the hosting of a pre and post Christmas lights switch-on reception.

(Ms. K. Sweeney, Tourism, Culture and Arts Manager attended in connection with this item.)

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members agreed at the last meeting to defer a decision on Titanic / Maritime Heritage Signage until maps were provided showing were the signs would be located.

1.2       Three maps have been circulated to Members showing the current signage across the city (blue), proposed new signage (yellow) / replacement signage (red/green) and how the signs will support trails/orientation across the city.

2    Key Issues

2.1The Titanic / Maritime Signage is divided into four main themes.

2.2       (1)     TQ Direct – coded red on the map - this links Titanic Quarter  to the City Hall. It also includes upgrading the level of welcome in the train and bus terminals. Whilst there will be some new signs introduced to reinforce to visitors where Titanic Belfast is, the opportunity of drawing down 50% match funding from NITB will allow the council to upgrade a number of hubs and blades (installed in 2006) to show not only Titanic Quarter but other new products e.g. the MAC in Cathedral Quarter.

2.3       (2)     Titanic Trail - coded orange - Belfast City Council has already invested in visitor signage in Titanic Quarter, shown by the blue dots on the maps. There is a need for some additional signage for new products such as PRONI building and orientation point at the new rail link, Titanic Halt. There will be some updates to existing signage to show Titanic Belfast, the new plaza area and fingerposts to drive pedestrians towards the Northern Ireland Science Park and the Titanic Dock.

2.4       (3)     City of Merchants / Lagan, Clarendon Dock and Sailortown – coded green - to support Belfast being positioned as a maritime destination and not just Titanic, the final proposal for signage is to link a series  of buildings and sites e.g.  The Entries, Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church, MV Confiance, Harbour

                     Commission, Clarendon Docks and Sailortown.  Part of the purpose of this trail was to encourage visitors to leave TQ and spend time (and money) in the city centre, Cathedral Quarter and North Belfast.  The majority of this investment is in relation to finger posts.

2.5       (4)     The final proposal is for white on brown tourism signage from the motorway for Titanic Belfast due to the volume of visitors anticipated in 2012. DRD Roads Service is still reviewing this and final sites have not yet been agreed. Once these are agreed, BCC will be discussing costs with both Titanic Belfast and NITB to explore funding options. 

2.6Members should note that the Titanic /Maritime Heritage project was developed as NITB had funding available to support a Titanic Trail in the city. It was a priority identified in the Belfast Maritime Heritage study on the 15 February 2011. The opportunity of 50% match funding has been used to develop a scheme that will enhance and update existing signage provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

(Mr. G. Copeland, City Events Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

The Committee considered a report in respect of a request which had been received by MTV requesting that the Council consider providing an additional sum of £100,000 towards the hosting by the City of the MTV Europe Awards in early November. The City Events Manager provided an overview of the benefits which would be accrued in economic and tourism terms, together with an outline of the additional events which would be staged should the Council agree to meet the request.

During discussion, a number of Members expressed concern that the proposal for additional funding was being brought forward as an additional item at late notice. Members did however recognise the benefits which the proposed concert would bring to the city and its ratepayers.

The Committee agreed to authorise the additional expenditure.