Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported from the Chairman (Alderman Stalford) and Councillors Austin, Hendron and Mac Giolla Mhín.

            In respect of item 2 (f), viz., Integrated Economic Strategy, Councillor Webb declared an interest in this matter in that he was associated with a company which might bid for one of the contracts which would arise as part of the project.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 2nd July, had referred the undernoted Notice of Motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Kingston and seconded by Councillor McCarthy, to the Committee for its consideration:

“This Council recognises the historical significance of HMS Caroline as one of just two surviving First World War Royal Navy ships and the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat; notes the contribution which HMS Caroline has made to Belfast where she has been stationed for over 85 years; recognises the contribution which the development of this unique attraction can make to our tourism economy; and confirms its commitment and desire to work expeditiously with the Assembly Executive, the Ministry of Defence, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and other relevant bodies to preserve, develop and promote HMS Caroline as a key attraction and feature of maritime heritage in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.”

            The Director provided an overview of the options which were currently being explored by a range of agencies with a view to refurbishing the ship and retaining it in Belfast. He indicated that further reports, which would address the Council’s future involvement in any project in this regard, would be submitted in due course when the position of the ship’s future became clearer.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that a letter be forwarded, in due course, to the Minister with responsibility for the Department of Education, Trade and Industry, Mrs. A. Foster, MLA, requesting that she meet with a cross-party deputation from the Council to discuss the future of HMS Caroline.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report which provided an overview of the outcome of an equality impact assessment of the above-mentioned Framework, together with final draft of the Cultural Framework for Belfast 2012/2015, a copy of which was available on the Council’s Modern.gov system:

“1    Relevant Background Information

1.1As Members will recall, the public consultation on the Council’s draft Cultural Framework for Belfast 2012–15 and Equality Impact Assessment closed on 31 August 2012.

1.2Seventy-one formal responses to the consultation were received. Officers also carried out a series of meetings with stakeholders, including with Members and the arts sector, the Heritage Forum, the Festivals Forum, the arts and disability sector, internal staff and general public in five community centres across Belfast.

2    Key Issues

2.1The findings of the public consultation are summarised below. Copies of written responses and minutes of meetings are available from the Tourism, Culture and Arts (TCA) Manager on request. Copies of the Cultural Framework with tracked changes are also available from the Tourism, Cultural & Arts unit.

      General findings

      Consultees were generally supportive of the draft Cultural Framework.  In particular, several consultees praised the open and inclusive approach to consultation.

      Investment

      45 per cent of consultees who responded to this question indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with this section. Of those who responded negatively, there were four main concerns.

      Firstly, the requirement for a minimum turnover of £100,000 to be eligible for core funding was considered detrimental to small organisations and for the diversity of the overall sector. This has been removed.

      Secondly, the cap on core funding at 10 per cent of an organisation’s budget was considered not to reflect focus on Belfast or capacity to deliver on the Framework’s objectives. This has been removed.

      Thirdly, several consultees expressed demand for Council to fund individual artists. While the development of individual artists is considered to be a role for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) and would further reduce the amount of funding available to organisations, we have included an action to support employability and skills development under the Strengthening the sector theme. This will be facilitated in partnership with Creative and Cultural Skills and other stakeholders, and additional external funding will be sought.

      Finally, consultees thought that the Framework was not deliverable of proposed budgets and that the council should provide funding equivalent to UK and ROI councils. The Cultural Framework is timely as we are agreeing budget estimates for 2013/14. We will take all feedback on board as part of this process.

      Vision and aims

      67 per cent of consultees who responded to this question indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the vision and aims. Some consultees noted that they struggled to find the aims or understand the connection between the aims, actions and targets. The layout has been changed as a result of these comments.

      Several consultees considered that there was not enough emphasis on cultural diversity. While the Framework was always intended to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Committee was apprised of the feasibility of the Council introducing a ‘Per Cent for Art Scheme’ which was an initiative which allocated a percentage, usually one percent, of expenditure for the purchase and commissioning of visual art within capital expenditure projects.  It was explained that a range of the statutory bodies and agencies, such as the Royal Group of Hospitals, had introduced such schemes to promote the arts.

Accordingly, it was

Moved by Councillor Maskey,

Seconded by Alderman Ekin, 

That the Committee agrees that the Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee be requested to introduce a ‘Per Cent for Art’ scheme which would allocate one percent of future Council capital project expenditure towards the purchase, commissioning and support of the visual arts in Belfast.

On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Director informed the Committee that the event ‘Health Hack NI’ would be held in the City Hall on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December.  He reported that the event, which would support the Council’s ‘Super-Connected Belfast’ initiative, sought to bring together practitioners within the health industry to explore the feasibility of enhancing healthcare provision through the design of Smartphone applications.  He indicated that the event, which had been organised by Invest NI and the Northern Ireland Connected Health Innovation Centre, would be attended by a range of health practitioners, students, consultants, nurses, doctors and senior managers from the National Health Service.  The Director indicated that the Council had been approached by the organisers requesting that it consider contributing towards the event in the sum of £2,000, which would cover the costs associated with the provision of wireless connectivity within the Reception Room and hospitality throughout the event.

            The Committee agreed to provide £2,000 towards the hosting of the event.

            The Committee was advised that the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) had introduced a programme which sought to improve the performance of small businesses by assisting them to achieve accreditation under the Investors in People initiative.  The programme enabled small businesses to engage with business professionals through a series of workshops to work towards the attainment of the Investors in People standard.  It was reported that ten companies within the Council area would partake in the pilot programme and that DEL would contribute thirty percent, viz., £3,360 of the anticipated cost of £11,200, with the Council allocating £4,840 and the remaining amount of £3,000 being contributed by the participating companies.  The Director provided an overview of the economic benefits which would be accrued by the Council should it agree to contribute towards the programme and, accordingly, he recommended that the Committee agree to endorse the contribution as outlined. 

            The Committee agreed to contribute £4,840 towards the programme.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the Investment Programme contains a range of commitment around employability and skills development.  One of the key commitments involves collaboration with the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and other partners on a city-wide employability and skills strategy. 

1.2       The aim of this proposal is to develop a collaborative, targeted approach to employability and skills development issues by creating a better understanding of the local welfare to work arena and enabling partners to align and pool funding and resources to reduce duplication of services and fill gaps in provision.  The anticipated outcome of this approach is that additional people would be helped into employment and that those employment prospects would be more sustainable

1.3       Members will be aware that a skilled, flexible workforce is one of the greatest contributors to economic growth and city competitiveness.   Ensuring alignment between the skills development and employment agendas is a major challenge for all cities.  This alignment is recognised in the recently-published Northern Ireland Economic Strategy (NIES) which focuses on re-building and re-balancing the Northern Ireland economy.  Promoting employment and employability is the key ‘re-building’ theme in the strategy while the ‘re?balancing’ themes include a commitment to ‘improving employability and the relevance and use of skills. 

1.4       In order to ensure that employability initiatives and approaches are in line with existing employer needs and future growth areas, it is important to ensure a structured dialogue with employers.  One such avenue for engagement is through the Employers’ Forum.  This was established in 2003 as part of the Task Force initiatives in west Belfast and greater Shankill.  It is managed by Business in the Community (BITC) and draws on the resources of this organisation’s members to provide opportunities for skills development and employment opportunities, focusing on those furthest from the labour market.

2          Key Issues

2.1       Since their establishment in 2003, initiatives undertaken by the Employers’ Forum have helped almost 1300 long-term unemployed people into work.  While the focus of the initiative has been on those from west Belfast and greater Shankill, employers have also provided opportunities for those from all communities across Belfast.

2.2       As part of the city-wide strategy, there is an opportunity to explore how the Employers’ Forum can be engaged to act as the employer conduit.  This will ensure that ideas and proposals can be tested to confirm that they are in line with employer demands.  Equally, employers can be encouraged to develop new and flexible approaches to recruitment and skills development, particularly engaging those furthest from the labour market. 

2.3       The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has also confirmed that it would be keen to work with Belfast City Council and the Employers’ Forum to develop an agreed approach to employer engagement that will ultimately improve the quality of interventions and ensure greater alignment between skills supply and demand.

2.4       In order to progress this, it is planned that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4c

Arising from discussion in the foregoing matter, the Deputy Chairman, with the permission of the Committee, referred to the recent announcement of 760 redundancies by Caterpillar, which was the parent company of the Larne-based firm F.G. Wilson.  He pointed out that the decision would impact adversely upon the company’s four locally-based plants, including those employees based at its Belfast factory in the Springvale Business Park.  The Deputy Chairman indicated that it would be prudent for the Council to be proactive in light of the redundancies and he informed the Committee that a meeting of local stakeholders, which had been organised by Invest NI, had been scheduled to take place the following day, viz., 19th September, in Larne and he suggested that it would be advisable for the Council to be represented thereat by Elected Members and officers.

After discussion, the Committee agreed to the following course of action:

·        That any Member of the Committee, who so wished, be authorised to attend, on behalf of the Council, the stakeholders’ meeting scheduled to take place in Larne on 19th September; 

·        That a letter be forwarded to Caterpillar highlighting the Council’s desire that the remaining jobs at F.G. Wilson, particularly those in the greater Belfast area, be protected and that further investment be made by the company in the region; and

·        That a press release be issued by the Council to highlight its support for the workers and families of F.G. Wilson and to promote the future employment opportunities which could be provided by the establishment of a Council-supported Innovation Centre on the Invest NI site on the Springfield Road.

(Councillor Webb left the room whilst this item was under discussion.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1          Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the Investment Programme contains a range of initiatives to stimulate economic growth in the city, while ensuring that social and equality issues are addressed.

1.2       One of the key supporting principles of the Investment Programme is the commitment to partnership and integration, ‘bringing together partners from all sectors and communities to develop innovative solutions to Belfast’s challenges and to take advantage of all opportunities’.

1.3       The Northern Ireland Executive approved the regional economic strategy in March 2012.  This sets out a series of activities aimed at rebuilding and rebalancing the economy in Northern Ireland.  The strategy’s cross-cutting principles include ‘balanced sub-regional growth’, namely ensuring that all sub-regions are able to grow and prosper while recognising the importance of Belfast and Derry/Londonderry as key drivers of regional economic growth.

1.4       The Belfast City Council area is home to almost one third of all jobs in the region. The GVA per head in the city is almost twice the regional average.  This can be explained by the fact that those jobs with higher value-added are attracted to city locations such as Belfast.  The city is home to half of Northern Ireland’s hi-tech manufacturing jobs, 3 in 5 computer and related service jobs and two-thirds of creative media and arts jobs located within the area.  It has a strong software, financial services and telecoms base and attracts the largest number of software development projects in the UK outside of London. 

1.5       However, on the other hand, Belfast is also home to some of the most deprived and segregated communities in the region.  The unemployment rate in Belfast is the second highest of all district council areas (after Derry City Council area) and the level of incapacity benefits and inactive benefits claimed by Belfast is 10,000 above the regional average.  The geographical concentrations of unemployment and low skills levels within the city itself are also significant:  73% of all income support claimants in the city live in north and west Belfast and 8.3% of those living in west Belfast are educated to degree level or higher while the proportion in south Belfast is 33.4%.

1.6       Therefore, while the broad parameters of the regional economic strategy provide a framework within which Belfast’s growth can be planned, it appears that there is a need for a targeted, city-based strategy which take account of the regional drivers but which also identifies the specific city-level – and neighbourhood-level – issues that impact on the city’s competitiveness.

 2         Key Issues

2.1       Initial discussions have been undertaken with a range of partners – principally Invest NI – with regard to the potential for developing an integrated economic strategy for Belfast. 

2.2       Draft terms of reference have been produced and there has been broad agreement by Invest NI on the scope of the work. 

2.3       The terms of reference note the need for collaborative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee was reminded that one of the key aims of the Council’s Investment Programme was to enhance and develop the City’s international linkages with a view to improving its ability to attract commercial investment, secure European funding and to encourage tourists to visit the City.  Accordingly, it was reported that the Council had convened a series of meetings with a range of Belfast’s key stakeholders with the intention of establishing an agreed framework for the future marketing and promotion of the City at an international level.  The Director reported that, in order to garner further support for the Council’s initiative, the Lord Mayor would, in early-October, host a stakeholders’ dinner at which the future direction of the International Marketing and Relations Strategy would be discussed with the intention of agreeing a way forward.  The costs associated with hosting the dinner would be approximately £1,000, provision for which had been included within the Department’s budgets.

            In response to a Member’s question, the Head of Economic Initiatives agreed to investigate the feasibility of enhancing the Council’s relationship with Silicon Valley within any agreed strategy. In addition, she undertook to submit a report to a future meeting which would outline the feasibility of the Council participating in an economic fact finding mission to Heifei, China, in 2013.

            The Committee agreed that it be represented at the aforementioned dinner by the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman and authorised the expenditure as outlined.

            The Committee endorsed the undernoted written submission which would be forwarded to the Committee for Social Development at the Northern Ireland Assembly as part of the secondary consultation exercise on the Business Improvement District Bill.

“1              The Council is very supportive of the Bill and the concept of Business Improvement Districts. During these difficult economic times, it is important that businesses are given every possible support to improve their trading environment. Many of the businesses we work with and support and their representative groups have confirmed that they are keen to pursue the option of a BID. We have been made aware of three potential BIDs in the Belfast area alone. As such we would like to see this legislation enacted as soon as possible.

2                 We do have some concerns that were raised in the original consultation exercise in February 2011. In particular, we feel that it would be very inefficient for Councils to develop a BID levy collection mechanisms, which would in effect be a duplication of the existing rate collection process operated by Land & Property Services (LPS). While the notes that accompanied the Bill do say that LPS will collect the BID levy, we would be happier if this was in the Bill itself.

3                 To address this issue, while still allowing for any changes to rate collection that may occur in the future, section 13(4) could be changed to say ‘Any amount of BID levy for which an eligible ratepayer is liable will be collected through an amendment to the existing rates.’

4                 Another particular concern was that the time length of BIDs may mean that any baseline level of service agreed by the Council or the cost for additional services may change over the length of the BID. Hence we would need reasonable flexibility.

5          Section 4 could be amended to give this flexibility. For example, ‘4) Where BID arrangements are in force, the district council which made the arrangements must make reasonable efforts to comply with them. In the event of significant changes in circumstances, the Council may appeal to the Department to renegotiate the arrangements.’

6          Most of our concerns that were expressed in the original consultation exercise have not been directly addressed in the Bill. These include:

·        That our role and responsibilities in organising any ballots is not clear.

·        That our role in terms of oversight and guidance on the development of BIDs is not clear.

·        Our power to veto is mentioned but no guidance is given as to when we would reasonably be able to veto.

·        We appreciate that it is the intention to use secondary legislation to address these issues and would therefore request that we be consulted on the development of this secondary legislation.”

            The Committee was advised that the second Women in Business Awards ceremony would take place in the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, on Thursday, 22nd November and would be sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland and the Irish News.  The Director indicated that an opportunity existed for the Council to sponsor, at a cost of £2,000, the ‘Best Small Business’ category at the event.  He outlined the benefits which the Council would accrue should it agree to sponsor the award, which included significant publicity for the Council and the promotion of its role as a supporter of small businesses in the City.  He added that the sponsorship package would entitle the Council to avail also of a number of free places at the ceremony and he recommended that the Committee authorise the expenditure as outlined.

            The Committee agreed that the Council would sponsor the ‘Best Small Business’ category at the event at a cost of £2,000.

            The Director informed the Committee that the annual Eurocities conference would take place in Nantes, France, from 7th till 10th November.  He explained that the theme for the event would be ‘A New City Politics’ and it would examine how cities could use innovative methods to engage with its citizens and encourage them to partake in local politics.  He provided an overview of the keynote speakers, together with the range of topics which would be explored at the various sessions and workshops.  He added that the highlight of the conference, which would be attended by over 400 delegates, would be the mayors’ debate which would explore the issue of political renewal in cities.  He indicated that the conference would provide valuable opportunities for the Council’s representatives to discuss with key partners the range of funding opportunities which could be applied for through future European initiatives.

The Committee approved the attendance at the conference of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, together with the Director (or their nominees), and approved also the associated travel, accommodation and conference fees, the cost of which was approximately £3,840.

            The Committee deferred, to enable a presentation to be provided by representatives of the Gaelteacht Quarter Board, consideration of a report which sought to establish an agreed Council definition of the extent and boundaries of the City’s Gaeltacht Quarter.

            The Committee noted the contents of two reports which provided an overview of the Department’s financial performance during the first quarter of the financial year and which outlined the progress made against the key targets of the business plan during that period.

            The Director provided an overview of the performance figures for both the Waterfront and Ulster Halls for the period 1st April till 30th June, 2012.  He outlined the programme of events which had been staged at both venues during that period and provided figures in respect of the income derived through conference and box office sales.

            The Director indicated that despite the current economic conditions, the performance figures for both the Waterfront and Ulster Halls had been encouraging.  He reminded the Committee that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 24th August, had agreed to explore both an internal and external model for the future management of the new conference facilities at the Waterfront Hall which would enable the Council to identify the most cost-efficient and effective model which would be applied to the venue.  He indicated that the Committee would be updated in due course once this exercise had been completed. 

            The Committee noted the information provided.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an overview of the progress which had been achieved to date in the development of the Belfast Community Investment Programme and agreed that a Members’ workshop be held on a future date to explore in detail the aims, objectives and anticipated outcomes of the Programme.

The Committee endorsed the undernoted response to the above-mentioned consultation exercise which had been organised by the Eastern Health and Social Care Board, subject to it being strengthened to reflect the following:

·        That the consultation document, as circulated, was somewhat unclear in that it did not establish clear and measurable outcomes for any future plans established as a result of the exercise; and

·        That there existed gaps within the document in respect the issue of the future funding of the schemes and as to where responsibility would lie for their implementation and administration.

“1.1.1     Thank you for asking us to comment on these plans

1.1.2      Children and young people are a priority for the Council as can be seen by the substantial resources allocated to play and leisure services.  In terms of play alone, Council invests some £1m annually in the inspection, maintenance and equipment replacement in 78 playgrounds across the city.  Council deploy 16 play workers in 6 dedicated play centres and other sites across the city, representing a further investment of £650k per annum. Council also employ a Play Development Officer (PDO) to co-ordinate and develop play work practice; provide training, support and resources and manage a city wide play service. The PDO has links both nationally and internationally, being on the board of the International Play Association UK branch. In addition we operate and maintain 10 leisure centres and all the City’s parks.

1.1.3      The Plan’s objectives also align with the 3 key thrusts of the European Active Inclusion Strategy- Opportunity, Access and Solidarity, which in relation to CYPSP would provide quality public services and an inclusive labour market.

1.1.4      Therefore we welcome the development of these action plans.

1.1.5      Many of the plans refer to volunteering opportunities. Belfast City Council (BCC) and particularly its Community Services have many volunteering schemes in place and may be able to contribute in these areas.

1.1.6      However Belfast City Council (BCC) thinks there may be some additional issues to include. For example, BCC regards the arts as a vital tool to improve the quality of life – promoting enjoyment, learning and achievement – and for economic wellbeing. The contribution of arts should be acknowledged in the action plans.

1.1.7      The draft action plans are missing direct linkages to the contribution that physical activity, sport and recreational activities has in achieving the six high level outcomes of:

·        Healthy

·        Enjoying, learning and achieving

·        Living in safety and with stability

·        Experiencing economic and environmental wellbeing

·        Contributing positively to community and society.

·        Living in a society that respects their rights

1.1.8      It is evident and well documented that the: usage of parks and leisure facilities and sites; participation in sporting and physical activities; and participation in health and outreach programmes or events contribute towards healthy living, and improved mental wellbeing while also enabling enjoyment, learning and a sense of achievement.  This is missing from each of the draft action plans.

1.1.9      The plans may also benefit from further and ongoing dialogue with experts in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.