Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Ekin and P. Maskey.

            The minutes of the meeting of 9th 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 1st May, subject to:

(i)    the amendment of the minute under the heading “Rapid Transit Study” to provide that the Roads Service be requested to make a further presentation specifically in relation to proposals to alleviate traffic congestion in the York Street, Dunbar Link and West Link area of the City; and

(ii)   the omission of the minute under the heading “Community Festivals Fund” which, at the request of Councillor Stoker, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

In pursuance of the Committee’s decision of 7^th March, to receive a presentation from a representative of Millward Brown Ulster concerning the 2007 Belfast Tourism Monitor.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 7th March, it had agreed to receive from representatives of Millward Brown Ulster Limited a presentation in respect of the findings of the Belfast Tourism Monitor 2007.  It was reported that Ms. C. Toner and Mr. R. McGimpsey were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Deputy Chairman.

            Ms. Toner stated that in 2007 6.9 million people had visited the City, an increase of 2% on the previous year, with the number of out-of-state visitors increasing by 24%.  She indicated that these visitors had spent £313.3 million in the City.  She pointed out that the Great Britain market was still very important to the City, with 68% of the visitors coming from England, Scotland and Wales, whilst visitors from within Northern Ireland had reduced.  She indicated that it had been pleasing to note that the ratings regarding the quality of accommodation and restaurants had increased.

            Ms. Toner and Mr. McGimpsey responded to several questions from Members following which they retired from the meeting.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the findings of the Belfast Tourism Monitor for 2007.

(Councillor M. Browne, Chairman, in the Chair.)

To consider further the minute of the meeting of 27^th February under the heading “Renewing Communities Local Masterplans – West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council” which, at the request of Councillor D. Dodds, was referred back to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 1^st April and which the Committee, at its meeting on 9^th April, deferred consideration of for one month to enable the Councillors from the Shankill area to meet with representatives of the Enterprise Council.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the above-mentioned matter to enable further information to be obtained.

To consider further the minute of the meeting under the heading “Community Festivals Fund” which, at the request of Councillor Stoker, was referred back to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 1^st May (extract herewith)

            The Committee considered further the minute of the meeting of 9th April under the heading “Community Festivals Fund” which had been taken back by the Chairman at the Council meeting on 1st May at the request of Councillor Stoker.  An extract of the minute in this regard is set out hereunder:

      “The Committee considered the undernoted report:

‘Relevant Background Information

      A previous report was brought before Committee in January 08 regarding the proposed transfer of Community Festivals Funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to Local Authorities.  This funding was previously administered through the Northern Ireland Events Company.

      The report raised a number of issues with the proposed transfer. A letter indicating the Councils position was sent to Hazel Campbell at DCAL. A Copy of this letter is available on Modern.gov.

Key Issues

      A Letter of Offer has been received for the sum of £77,300 for the Community Festivals Fund for the period April 2008 to March 2009, which is available on Modern.gov.

      There has not, however, been a specific written response to the points raised in the letter sent to DCAL on 8February, however, officials from DCAL have met with Council officers and there have been information sessions organised through NILGA.

      The following points have emerged in relation to the points outlined in the letter.

Funding

1)   There will be no alteration to the funding allocation to Belfast at this stage.

2)   Funding allocated to Local Authorities that cannot be distributed will be redistributed to other Local Authority areas, it is expected that this will be achieved through a quarterly review of the funding distributed.

3)   Feedback from other Councils indicates that the challenge for some will be to develop sufficient capacity to make use of the funding allocation and for others the match funding required will be an impediment to utilising the funding.

4)   The level of redistributed funding would then form the basis for future allocation of funds.

      Staffing Resources

      No additional resources will be made available for administration, however, up to 10% of the grant claimed can be put towards administration

      Duration of Funding

      The funding for Community Festivals Fund is secure for a three year period. No commitment is given beyond that point.

      Transitional Fund

      It is anticipated that some additional transitional funding will be made available in the coming financial year, however, this may be restricted in terms of the number of organisations funded and level of funding.

      Contact through NILGA

      It is expected that communication regarding the funding will be maintained through NILGA

      Timescale

      DCAL have accepted that due to the short timescale a flexible approach is required towards the processes adopted for the distribution of funds in this financial year. It may therefore be possible to consider distribution in line with existing mechanisms of funding provided they are publicly advertised and within the spirit of the fund. 

      Members need now to consider how Council wishes to respond to this letter of offer.  Clearly the concerns raised by Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Director reminded the Committee that a process to re-brand Belfast had commenced in June, 2007 and that, following consideration of a report at its meeting on 21st February, briefings had been held for the various Party Groupings represented on the Council.  In addition, all Members of the Council had been invited to a Branding Reference Group meeting on 26th February at which the general concept had been endorsed.  However, the Members present had requested that further work be undertaken by the Brand Consultants to sharpen the image.  This had delayed the process and had resulted in the original launch date of April having to be postponed.  As a result, the Brand Consultants had prepared new designs and a further Reference Group meeting had been held on 8th April at which the amended design had received unanimous approval.  She advised the Committee that Mr. Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, was in attendance to make a presentation regarding the new Brand.  The Committee agreed to receive Mr. Lennon, who was admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

            Mr. Lennon pointed out that the development of a new Brand would reinforce Belfast’s position as a:

(i)    place for companies to locate and grow their business;

(ii)   place which attracted talent and met skills needs;

(iii)   magnet for leading research, education and innovations;

(iv)  location with a high quality of life for its citizens;

(v)   quality tourism and conference destination; and

(vi)  confident and contemporary City.

Accordingly, the Consultants had been asked to develop a Brand image which added value by providing a clear direction for all the marketing products which were produced within the City.  He pointed out that it would be essential that the new Brand related to and was accepted by the citizens of Belfast and visitors to the City as well as the media and potential investors.  He appraised the Members of the research methodology which had been undertaken by the Consultants.

            Mr. Lennon informed the Committee that the design which had been approved by the Brand Reference Group was a heart shaped “B”.  He pointed out that all the major tourism-based organisations in the City had committed themselves to this Brand.

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed unanimously with the proposed Brand and agreed that it be launched in June at the Belfast Waterfront Hall.  Mr. Lennon then retired from the meeting.

            The Director submitted for the Committee’s approval the Development Departmental Plan for 2008/2009.  She pointed out that the Plan identified the actions, initiatives and events planned for the Department during that period.

            Following discussion, the Committee approved the Departmental Plan and noted that a copy was available on Modern.gov.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Members are asked to consider the following progress reports:

1.            Comet Interreg IVA - Tourism Applications

2.            Quartiers En Crise AGM attendance

3.            Opportunity Europe

4.            INTERREG IIIC Project - BERI (Brownfield European Regeneration Initiative)

5.            INTERREG IVC Application B -Team Task Force Group of Experts in Brownfield Regeneration

Key Issues

1.   Comet Interreg IVA Tourism Application

      Members will recall their decision on 15 October 2007 to sign off the Comet multi- annual Interreg plan for submission to the SEUPB to try and secure up to £16 million of Interreg IVA funding.  This funding would allow Belfast City Council, on behalf of the Comet Partnership, to deliver a suite of cross border projects ranging from enterprise to waste management collaboration.  At the time of submission the SEUPB had not yet opened its tourism call for Interreg IVA and the Comet Secretariat had only received one tourism project.  Since submission the SEUPB has developed and opened a tourism project call (February 2007) and the Comet Secretariat, the Tourism Development officer and the Regional Tourism Partnership have sought to develop Comet tourism projects to submit under the call.

      Three projects have been developed thus far:

      LaganCanal Project

      To undertake waterways feasibility studies and appraisals necessary to establish the future validity of cross border capital east west waterway projects

      BVCB UK Marketing Project

      To attract tourists to Belfast and the border areas

      Gaeltacht Quarter Cultural Trails

      To establish a cultural tourism network between Belfast and Donegal

      All three projects have cross border partners and  will be submitted to the SEUPB as an addendum to the Comet multi-annual plan.  Members are asked to note this development. 

2.   Quartiers En Crise AGM attendance

      Members agreed at the March 2008 Development Committee to take on the management of the Belfast QEC network from 1 April 2008.  This function and responsibility has been transferred from the Belfast Health Trust to Belfast City Council’s EU Unit Hereafter.  It is Belfast City Council’s responsibility to lead the network of partners in Belfast, develop and deliver projects and engage at a trans-national level with other QEC initiatives.

      The QEC European AGM is being held in Starogard, Gdansk, Poland from 11-14 June 2008.  The attendance of the Chair (or his nominee) and the European Manager will be required.  There will be an opportunity for the Chair (or his nominee) to vote on behalf of Belfast and to stand for election to secure the place as Treasurer on the Executive Bureau.  Belfast has retained this post since 1989.  It is important for Belfast’s profile and influence to maintain a place on the Executive Bureau and the Treasurer post has proven to take up a minimal amount of the incumbent's time working alongside the QEC Brussels accountant.

      The costs incurred by the attendance of the Chair (or his nominee) at the AGM will be covered by QEC.  Approval is sought for the costs incurred by the attendance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

            Following discussion regarding a report concerning the review of the Policy and Research Unit within the Development Department, during which several Members expressed concern at the contents of the report which had been provided by the Business Improvement Section, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 9th April, it had agreed that the Christmas Lights Switch-On commence at 7.00 p.m.  She informed the Committee that the Events Advisory Panel, having been advised of this decision, had suggested that moving the start to 7.30 p.m. would enable rush-hour traffic to clear the City centre and allow a longer period of time to physically close the site.  It had therefore requested the Committee to reconsider the issue.

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed with the suggestion of the Events Advisory Panel that the Christmas Lights Switch-On commence at 7.30 p.m., rather than 7.00 p.m. as had been agreed previously.

The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that the Council had been asked to contribute to the regional plans for the Cultural Olympiad which would be staged leading up to and during the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The purpose of the Olympiad was to arrange cultural events which would enable artists from around the world to showcase their work.  It was intended to focus on the themes of:

(i)     bringing together culture and sports;

(ii)    encouraging audiences to take part;

(iii)   animating public spaces through street theatre, public art, circus skills and big screens;

(iv)   using culture and sport to raise issues of environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing;

(v)    honouring and sharing the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games;

(vi)   encouraging collaborations and innovation between communities and cultural sectors; and

(vii)  enhancing the learning, skills and personal development of young people by linking with education programmes.

            She pointed out that the events in Belfast would be organised locally but linked to national events focused on London.  In addition, it was intended to create “live sites” where large outdoor video screens would link regional performance spaces, thus providing a platform for a wide range of cultural events and performances across the United Kingdom.

            In answer to Members’ questions the Head of Economic Initiatives indicated that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure had confirmed that it would be providing limited funding for the Olympiad.  She pointed out that, when further information became available from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Department, a further report would be submitted to the Committee.

Noted.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Multi-Annual Funding for Culture and Arts was implemented in 2004 after extensive consultation to inform the process and criteria for assessment. The second round of Multi-Annual Funding for the period 2008-2011 was initiated in July 2007 when organisations who wished to be considered from Multi-Annual Funding were asked to make an expression of interest. An extensive process of advisory consultations was undertaken with organisations to appraise them of the process and to discuss the eligibility and criteria. Twenty one organisations submitted by the deadline of 7 September 2007. These organisations were evaluated against the criteria and recommendations to select 4 new organisations for Multi-Annual Funding (Belfast Exposed, Cinemagic, Northern Visions and Young at Art) were brought before Development Committee in 14 November 2007. The selected organisations were then required to submit a three year programme for funding.

      In approving the selection of Multi-Annual Funding clients the Development Committee discussed the possibility of Multi-Annual Funding being offered on an annual basis. The Director of Development indicated that she would submit a report to a future meeting on the establishment of a policy which would enable new organisations to be admitted to the three year Multi-Annual Funding scheme on an annual basis. 

      Key Principles in Establishing Multi-Annual Funding

      The move to Multi-Annual Funding was undertaken after an extensive review process dating back to 2002 when it was discussed as part of the development of the Culture and Arts Plan for 2003-2006. The aim of Multi-Annual Funding was to develop a more strategic approach to funding which enabled longer term relationships with grant clients and embedded a more proactive approach to programme delivery for larger flagship organisations.

      It was considered that £30,000 per annum should be the expected minimum grant awarded to Multi-Annual Funding clients to reflect the additional investment in partnership and as a reflection of the move to a service level agreement.

      To allow this to take place it was felt that there needed to be a move away from an overly cumbersome administration process for grant applications and towards an efficient administrative process which facilitated a change of focus towards relationship building and direct liaison over developmental issues, programme and strategic objectives.

Key Issues

      There are advantages to providing the flexibility for organisations to apply for funding on a yearly basis as it will respond to rapidly developing organisations and could potentially lead to more Multi-Annual Funding clients being admitted. 

      In considering this issue, Members should note the balance of funding between Multi-Annual and Annual Funding, whereby currently 63% of financial resources are invested in the existing 14 Multi-Annually Funded organisations.

      Grant Review

      A review of the Development Department external grant funding process on a Departmental-wide basis has been commissioned and will be making recommendations toward the end of the year. It is therefore recommended that this further review of Multi- Annual funding is considered as an interim measure for this year only, subject to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

            The Committee considered the following requests for assistance which had been received under the Support for Sport Scheme in relation to events and promotions:

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report on proposals to amend the Historic Buildings Grant-Aid Scheme.

            The Director reminded the Members that the former Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 23rd March, 2007, had agreed to provide a maximum of £250,000 to the Nomadic Trust under a five-phase funding arrangement.  The third payment was dependant upon funding agreements being signed, which had now occurred.  Accordingly, she recommended that the third tranche of the funding in the sum of £50,000 be released to the Nomadic Trust.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Members will be aware that at the Development Committee meeting of 14 November 2007, approval was given to undertake a music event in Nashville, Tennessee and to attend the South by Southwest (SXSW) Media Conference and Showcase in Austin, Texas.  The project was a collaboration between the Council’s Economic Development and Tourism units.

      The connection with Nashville has a special significance because of the very strong links between Ulster and the Tennessee capital which dates from the Scots-Irish settlement of the area in the eighteenth century.  A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Mayor of Nashville and the Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1994 and this has resulted in many collaborations.  

      It was proposed that to further develop this relationship, a music showcase in Nashville as part of the Sister Cities meeting would be beneficial and would coincide with the South by Southwest festival thus creating a bigger impact.

      BelfastCity Council has identified creative industries as a priority sector in relation to economic development and has been successfully supporting the sector strategically since 2004.  A key area in supporting the creative sector in Belfast has been internationalisation and export related activity.  As part of this ongoing intervention, it was proposed that BelfastCity Council help strengthen the City’s creative sector in the international marketplace by participating and showcasing at South by Southwest 2008. 

Key Issues

      In July 2007, BelfastCity Council’s Tourism Development Unit in partnership with the Northern Ireland Industry Music Commission (NIMIC) planned and delivered a Belfast Nashville showcase concert in Belfast.  This event was attended by a significant contingent from Nashville including the Mayor of Nashville.

      Through the Council’s Sister City relationship with Nashville, the Mayor was keen to look at the possibility of mutual showcasing in Nashville and at South by Southwest.  As a result, it was proposed that the Belfast showcasing artists travel to the city of Nashville before participation at South by Southwest.  A joint showcase event was organised to celebrate the Sister City relationship in ‘MusicCity’ and provide an opportunity for the artists and related businesses to rehearse and consolidate the showcase event at SXSW. A separate report will come to Committee on an action plan for the Nashville/Belfast relationship.

      South by Southwest 2008 is the premier global event focusing on the creative side of the music and entertainment business which takes place annually in Austin, Texas in March.  It involves a conference and exhibition – attended by more than 10,000 people and a variety of showcases with performances from over 1500 acts on 75 stages throughout the city. 

      SXSW remains the key US showcasing, deal striking, networking and media forum for the international media industry and attendance at the event remains a key priority for all of those interested in the business of media and creativity. The event mirrors showcases such as MIPIM and MAPIC (Retail Property Exhibition) in its ability to attract participants  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Members will be aware that, at a meeting on 12 September 2007, Development Committee approved the acceptance of an invitation for a delegation to visit Nashville in early 2008.   A civic visit to Nashville took place on 9 – 11 March 2008 to explore, agree and implement identified areas of cultural, tourism and economic development between the two cities.  The connection with Nashville has a special significance because of the very strong links between Ulster and the Tennessee capital which dates from the Scots-Irish settlement of the area in the eighteenth century.  A Memorandum of understanding was signed by the Mayor of Nashville and the Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1994 and this has resulted in many

collaborations.  The Belfast Nashville Advisory Group, which includes representatives from the leisure and cultural sector, historical groups, genealogy associations, community development, media and educational organisations, worked on an itinerary for the visit and outlined a number of proposed projects.

Key Issues

      The purpose of the visit was to work in collaboration to enable the relationship between the two cities to be strengthened and focus on achieving tangible outputs.  Meetings with the Mayor of Nashville, Karl Dean, and representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to discuss sustaining the Sister City Link identified many opportunities to take forward.  The new 2008/09 Sister City Action Plan has now been expanded to include not only tourism, but health, education and economic development linkages. The draft action plan was approved by the Belfast Nashville Advisory Group at a meeting on 1 May.

      Key outputs:

      1.   Tourism

      -     Reception in partnership with Tourism Ireland promoted Belfast as a vibrant European destination and the gateway to Ireland and Europe.  Launched and marketed new cultural tourism products and distributed

-     1000 72 Hour Guides to Belfast

-     2000 BelfastNashville Songwriters’ Festival DVDs

-     1000 Researching Family History Guides

-     1000 Music in Belfast DVDs produced by NIMIC

      2.   Music Showcase

A Celebration of BelfastNashville Songwriters

Featured some of Belfast’s best musicians, Foy Vance, Eilidh Patterson, Ben Glover and Brian Houston who performed with Nashville musicians Beth-Nielson Chapman, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell and Mary Gauthier. 

An invited audience of approx 250 guests included

Mayor of Nashville Karl Dean

Mayor’s Office of Economic Development

Sister City Representatives

Travel and music journalists

Music industry figures

Nashville Public Television

Country Music Television

Tourism Ireland, NIMIC, BBC, Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and the Real Music Club

-     Created a high profile media event to raise the profile of Belfast

-     Showcased Belfast’s music talent in the international marketplace

-     Provided networking opportunities for those working in Belfast’s music sector and potential buyers and distributors in the world music industry

-     Increased the number of Belfast musicians doing business internationally by identification of potential new investment and partnerships

-     Raised the profile of the Sister City Relationship in Belfast - BBC Radio Ulster were present  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The corporate plans for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and Invest NI are currently out to consultation. 

Key Issues

      DETI Draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011

      Consultation on the DETI draft corporate plan for the period 2008-2011 was launched by the economy minister in early March 2008. A draft Belfast City Council response is attached as Appendix 1.  The plan identifies how the department intends to meet the key challenges set out in the Programme for Government under the heading of ‘growing a dynamic, innovative economy’.  DETI has identified three priorities for the period:

-     Productivity growth: objectives under this priority include –

-     Promoting a competitive and outward-looking economy.

-     Attracting and supporting high quality investment in both foreign and locally-owned businesses.

-     Ensuring a modern sustainable economic infrastructure to support business.

-     Promoting higher value-added activity through innovation and the commercial exploitation of R&D.

-     Developing and sustaining a Higher education research sector that holds a strong position within the UK and beyond and makes a major contribution to economic and social well-being.

-     Increasing the level of skills to aid productivity improvements in manufacturing and tradeable services.

-     Increasing employment: objectives include –

-     Increasing employment opportunities by attracting high quality inward investment and supporting domestic investment

-     Promoting business growth.

-     Tourism: objectives include –

-     Enhancing Northern Ireland’s tourism infrastructure

-     Promoting the growth of the tourism sector.

      The Invest NI draft corporate plan 2008-2011 was also launched for consultation. This plan also focuses on three priority actions for economic growth.  These are:

-     Realising client potential: focusing on making Invest NI clients become more competitive.

-     Shifting the sectoral focus: moving towards higher value-added activities.  This includes foreign direct investment (FDI) in target sectors (software development, ICT etc.) and niche manufacturing.

-     Frontier technologies: this involves intensive investment to deliver commercial outcomes from the innovative technologies.

      The draft responses in Appendices 1 and 2 have been forwarded to DETI and INI to comply with the respective deadlines.  However it has been noted that these responses are subject to committee approval and Council ratification.

Recommendations

      It is recommended that Members approve the attached appendices as the Belfast City Council response to these consultation exercises.

Key to Abbreviations

      DETI – Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

      FDI – Foreign Direct Investment

Documents Attached

      Appendix 1: Response to draft DETI Corporate Plan 2008-2011

      Appendix 2: Response to draft Invest NI Corporate Plan

Appendix 1

Draft Belfast City Council response to DETI draft

Corporate Plan 2008-2011

1.            Belfast City Council welcomes the opportunity to respond to the draft corporate plan for DETI for the period 2008-2011.

2.            Belfast, as the region’s capital city, is the engine for regional growth: what is good for Belfast is good for the region.  We would like to see this reflected in the resources committed to the city’s development through this corporate plan and further government investment in economic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Conference Subvention

      Members will be aware that Belfast City Council has a Conference Subvention policy which is utilised to secure and support national and international conferences to Belfast and to build the City’s profile as a conference destination.  One request has been received and the proposal has been assessed against the funding criteria and it meets the category for financial support as detailed below:

      British Association of Critical Care Nurses Annual Conference 14-16 September 2008 - it is anticipated that the economic impact from this conference will be £29,100 and will create 1650 bednights for BVCB members.  This is the first time the conference will be held in Belfast and will be attended by both national and international delegates.  Funding of £1,000 is recommended towards this conference.

      First Thursday Initiative

      Members will be aware that the Cultural Tourism Strategy entitled ‘Developing Belfast’s Opportunity’ highlights the aim to support and develop cultural tourism product development and the need to develop communication between the cultural sector and the cultural tourist.  A number of cultural tourism initiatives, which are designed to make specific areas of culture more easily accessible to both domestic and out-of-state visitors, have been developed.  This includes a comprehensive city-wide Art Guide that not only promoted public art, but visual art by detailing public and private galleries, workshops and historical details of blue plaque artists.  At a Tourism and Promotion of Belfast Sub-Committee meeting on 11 April 2007 Members approved working in partnership with galleries in order to establish extended opening hours on Thursdays and walking tours.  Successful pilots in 2007 proved that galleries can increase audiences and profile by working in partnership. 

      Public galleries now have committed to extend their opening hours to 8.30pm on the first Thursday of each month from June – December 2008.  This will complement evening economy activity and capitalise on momentum and interest created by the Belfast Art Guide.  The initiative will be co-ordinated by culturenorthernireland.com which will dedicate a section of their website to Belfast’s public and private galleries and include a

monthly e-bulletin, podcasting, virtual tours, reviews and a self-guided gallery tour to download. A media partner will promote ‘First Thursdays’ each month to their readers and the initiative will be marketed by BVCB and Belfast Welcome Centre.

      Evening Economy Update

      Lobbying Retail Sector –

      The Evening Economy initiative has successfully secured budget for 2008/09 from the Brighter Belfast Initiative, the all party working group aiming to ensure that Belfast is a vibrant, clean and attractive city for residents and visitors.  The Evening Economy has developed significantly since it was launched in April 2006 and the campaign 2008 is to establish late nights of trading to 9pm – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  CastleCourt, Victoria Square and following a major lobbying campaign, the key multiple retailers including M&S, Bhs, Primark, Next, HMV, Top Shop and many more have now signed up to the campaign.  A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which summarised the results of research undertaken into skills demand and supply and employability issues in the City.

Co-financing for European Social Fund Applications

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that the European Social Fund provided funding for training measures to assist people into employment and to enhance their career prospects.  The closing date for applications under this Programme had been November, 2007 and successful projects had been notified in December.  She advised the Committee that the Council had been successful in attracting funding for a project to support access to employment in the independent retail and hospitality sectors.  It had emerged subsequently that eight projects which had applied for funding had indicated that the Council would be co-financing their schemes.  However, at the time of submission, only two projects had advised the Council of this.  At its meeting on 21st February, the Committee had agreed to co-fund these two projects, together with a further initiative which had been submitted by Women in Business.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives advised the Committee that the Council had been requested recently to consider the undernoted additional three projects for co?financing over the next three year period:

(i)    “Advancement of Women Initiative”, submitted by the Training for Women Network which had requested co-financing of £54,068 per year;

(ii)   “Women Working for Themselves”, submitted by the East Belfast Enterprise which had requested co-financing of £26,237 per year;

(iii)   “Skills for Enterprise”, submitted by East Belfast Enterprise which had requested co-financing of £30, 948 per year;

She advised the Members that the other two projects which had named the Council as potential match funders had not yet formally approached the Council.

           She informed the Committee that no budget had been set aside for these three new schemes when the Economic Development Unit’s Business Plan had been prepared.  In addition, these projects could not be co-financed through any other European funding stream.  Therefore, the Department was not in a position to provide financial assistance to these projects.

           Following discussion, the Committee agreed not to support the three requests which had been received for co-financing under the European Social Fund’s, “Helping People Into Employment” scheme.

City of the Isles Conference

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that the Cities of the Isles Network involved Belfast, Liverpool, Dublin and Glasgow.  The cities engaged in collaborative activity in the fields of economic development and regeneration and a conference on these themes was held each year.  She pointed out that the 2008 event was scheduled to be held in Liverpool on 16th and 17th October.  Whilst the programme for the event had not yet been finalised, it was likely to focus on showcasing the activities which were being undertaken as part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture programme.

            Following discussion in the matter, the Committee agreed that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees), together with two officers, attend the City of the Isles Conference in Liverpool in October and authorised the payment of the associated travelling and subsistence allowances.

            The Director reminded the Committee that during the last twenty years the Council had developed an annual programme of summer events for children and young people.  This scheme had been delivered by a variety of Council Departments with each element operating independently from each other, which was not ideal.  Accordingly, it was the Development Department’s intention to create a co-ordinated approach to and create a singe identity for the programme of events for children and young people which would be held during the summer period.

            She indicated that it was proposed that single identity marketing material would be produced to highlight all of the Council-run and supported activities which would be taking place from 1st July to 31st August.  The programme of activities would include those which were organised by the Council as well as those events which were funded by the Council but delivered by external organisations.  In addition, the material would refer to activities undertaken by the major cultural venues in the City, such as the Belfast Waterfront Hall, Belfast Zoo, W5, the Grand Opera House, Black Box and the Old Museum Arts Centre.  It was intended also to connect elements of the Council’s Play Programme to events being organised by W5.

            At the end of the summer period, a full audit of all of the activities organised and supported by the Council would be undertaken.  The purpose of the audit would be to plan for summer 2009 to ensure that there was a greater level of synergy and linkage between all the events.  She indicated that the cost of developing this phased approach would be in the region of £26,000, including the programming, promotional and marketing costs, and that this amount was contained within the Departmental Revenue Estimates.

            Following discussion, the Committee approved the proposal for a co-ordinated children and young people’s programme of summer events as outlined.

Report to follow

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report concerning the abovementioned matter to enable further information to be obtained.

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

            The Director reported that the Council had replied to six such Plans and that responses had been prepared recently to the Action Plans submitted by the Upper Springfield Whiterock, the Ballysillan/Upper Ardoyne and the Crumlin/Ardoyne Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships, copies of which had been circulated and were available on Modern.gov.

            The Committee endorsed the contents of the Council’s responses to the Upper Springfield Whiterock, Ballysillan/Upper Ardoyne and Crumlin/Ardoyne Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships’ Action Plans.

Report to follow

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that, under the Renewing Communities Programme, each Area Partnership Board had been provided with funding and tasked with producing a Strategic Regeneration Framework.  Each Partnership Board had engaged a consultancy team to support them in this work which was due for completion during the summer period.  Whilst each Board was at a different stage of development, efforts were being made to co?ordinate activity across each area and engagement with Members in each area had been undertaken directly by the Partnership Boards.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives pointed out that, once completed, the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks would be submitted to the Department for Social Development.  She indicated that no specific resources had been committed to enable the proposed actions identified in the Frameworks to be implemented, apart from those monies which had been committed to enable the documents to be prepared.  Each Partnership Board would be submitting their final Frameworks to the Council for consideration and endorsement later in the year.  However, each Board, together with the Belfast Regeneration Office, had requested an opportunity to appraise the Committee of the key issues which were arising in each area prior to the process being concluded.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives pointed out that, since it was likely that Community Planning would become the responsibility of the Council following the Review of Public Administration, it would be beneficial for the Council to consider how the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks should be linked to the City-wide planning process.  Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee agree to hold a special meeting to receive presentations from the Belfast Regeneration Office and the Area Partnership Boards concerning the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks for their respective areas.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee was advised that the Department for Social Development would be undertaking a feasibility study regarding the establishment of a commercial gateway for the Andersonstown area and that a steering group would be established to manage and guide the process.  The Development Department had requested that an officer from the Department become a member of the steering group.

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the Director of Development act as the Council’s representative on the Andersonstown Gateway Feasibility Study Steering Group.

Smithfield Market Letting

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 22nd September, 1999, it had granted authority for the Director, in consultation with the Chairman, to approve the terms of future lettings at Smithfield Market, subject to those terms being reported retrospectively to the Committee.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reported that Unit 1 had been let to Mr. Jim Kyle, 19 Clonbeg Drive, Newtownabbey, at a cost of £153 per month, for the sale of computer parts, computer games and related second hand products.

Noted.

Trader/Customer Vehicle Parking at St. George’s Market

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that, since the refurbished St. George’s Market had re-opened in 1999, discussions had been held on a regular basis with the Roads Service, the Police and the traders regarding car parking issues and that various locations had been used for both traders and customers to park.

            She informed the Committee that correspondence, together with a petition, had been received from traders and customers requesting that the Council buy an area of land at the corner of East Bridge Street and Cromac Street which was owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but leased to the Roads Service for the purpose of providing a car park.  The site which had operated as a pay and display car park was closed currently due to the major works which were being undertaken in the area in connection with the Belfast Sewer Project.

            It had been ascertained that the Roads Service’s lease on the site expired in April 2009, part of which had been identified for a road alignment scheme.  In addition, since the Northern Ireland Housing Executive only held its evaluations for a six month period, it had not been possible to ascertain the value of the site.  She pointed out that a privately-operated car park had opened recently at the corner of East Bridge Street and Stewart Street beside Central Station and that Council officers and the market traders were endeavouring to negotiate a price for the use of space within that car park for traders and customers using St. George’s Market.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided by the Head of Economic Initiatives and agreed that the traders be advised that it would not be feasible at present for the Council to purchase the land at the corner of East Bridge Street and Cromac Street.

Smithfield Market

            Several Members expressed the view that the Council was concentrating its promotional work on St. George’s Market to the detriment of Smithfield Market.  In addition, traders in the North Street area believed that the Department for Social Development was ignoring that area of the City.

            In reply, the Chairman indicated that he, together with the Market’s Development Officer, met with the traders in Smithfield Market on a monthly basis and that the Council’s Corporate Communications Section was developing promotional opportunities regarding the Smithfield Market.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Rapid Transit Study

      The Department for Regional Development (DRD) published details of the Belfast Rapid Transit study and presented a summary of the study to the Development Committee in April 2008. The study carried out further analysis of possible route options and the most appropriate type of technology for the development of the system. There is currently a six week consultation period to respond to the study.

      Residents Parking Consultation

      The Department for Regional Development previously published a Draft Policy Residents Parking Schemes Consultation document to which the Council responded in February 2007. The Council response whilst welcoming the introduction of this scheme, where it secured the support for a majority of the residents, raised serious concerns over the charging for residential parking schemes in Northern Ireland.

      Free Travel for People Aged 60-64

      The policy consultation sets out proposals to extend the concessionary fares scheme to include people aged 60–64. Currently free travel is available to people aged 65 and over, those registered as being blind and those in receipts of war disablement pension. Half fares are also available to a number of groups.

      Newtownards Road Planning Framework

      The Newtownards Road 2012 group as part of the action plan developed to support the regeneration of the area from Bridge End to Holywood Arches are seeking to develop a structure that will help harness the potential developments within the area and address the ongoing blight arising from the BMAP/ BMTP and infrastructure proposals.

Key Issues

      The Rapid Transit Study

      The DRD presentation to the previous Committee was based on a recent consultant study findings, published on the same day, into the rapid transit option for the city. Consideration of the detail contained in the Rapid Transit study and the DRD presentation identified a number of issues Committee may wish to consider as part of the draft response:

      General

-     The final form of technology (guided bus or light rail), capacity and the longer term potential in relation to the continued development of the city. The significant difference in Capital Cost Estimates, between Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), set out in the Study is an important element of the Consultant’s recommendation of a bus based system. However, the basis for these cost comparisons are not clear in terms of whether the comparison is like for like and whether or not the system, as suggested can be upgraded at a later stage to tram or light rail. An important difference in the comparative costs for the systems relate to the degree of segregation from other traffic along the route with other variations for infrastructure or vehicle costs. It is not clear from the report whether or not the bus based system will utilise a greater proportion of shared roads space with other traffic. 

-     The quality offered by bus based rapid transit can vary considerably depending on both the specification of the vehicles and the associated infrastructure (stops,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.