Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors W. Browne, McCarthy, and Mhic Giolla Mhín.

            The minutes of the meetings of 11th and 12th November 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 December, subject to:

(i)    the omission of that portion of the minute of 12th November under the heading “Annual Events Programme for 2009/2010” referring to the Sail Training event which, at the request of Councillor McCarthy, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration; and

(ii)    the omission of that portion of the minute of 12th November under the heading “Transfer of the Management of the Former Laganside Corporation’s Assets” which, at the request of Councillor Stoker, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

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

To consider further that portion of the minute of 12^th November under the heading “Annual Events Programme for 2009/2010” relating to Sail Training which, at the request of Councillor McCarthy, was referred back to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 1^st December.

            The Committee considered further the minute of the meeting of 12th November under the heading “Annual Events Programme for 2009/2010 – Sail Training” which had been taken back at the Council meeting on 1st December at the request of Councillor McCarthy.  An extract of the minute in this regard is set out hereunder:

 “Annual Events Programme for 2009/2010

      The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that during the previous fifteen years the Council had developed an annual programme of events.  Each year these had attracted over 250,000 people to Belfast and had generated in the region of £6 million additional economic activity for the City.  She informed the Members that the proposed programme of events for the 2009/2010 financial year would be as follows:

      After discussion, the Committee approved the annual events programme for 2009/2010 and its associated funding.”

            Having been advised that Councillor McCarthy’s concerns regarding the Sail Training event had been resolved by officers, the Committee agreed to adhere to its decision of 12th November.

To consider further the minute of the meeting of 12^th November under the heading “Transfer of the Management of the Former Laganside Corporation’s Assets which, at the request of Councillor Stoker, was referred back to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 1^st December.

            The Committee considered further the minute of the meeting of 12th November under the heading “Transfer of the Management of the Former Laganside Corporation’s Assets” which had been taken back at the Council meeting on 1st December at the request of Councillor Stoker.  An extract of the minute in this regard is set out hereunder:

“Transfer of the Management of the Former

Laganside Corporation’s Assets

      The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Committee will be aware that, in line with the Laganside Corporation Dissolution Order (Northern Ireland) 2006, the Laganside Corporation ceased to exist from 1st April 2007 and responsibility for all of their assets passed to the DSD from this date.

      At a Special Meeting of the Development Committee on 16th May 2007 the Director of Development sought direction from the Committee on the approach the Council should adopt in considering taking responsibility for the management of the former Laganside Assets.

      The Committee agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding should be developed between the Council and DSD in relation to their potential roles and responsibilities, including funding arrangements.

Key Issues

      DSD are seeking the approval of BCC to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with them for an initial one year period.  During this period discussions will have been completed over complete transfer of the Assets to BCC in line with the Review of Public Administration implementation.

      BCC will be responsible for the implementation of five service level agreements with DSD.  The five proposed service level agreements are:

1.   The River Lagan to include the Lagan Weir also to include the operation of the river itself and looking after navigational issues. The management of the River Lagan and Weir will require the secondment of the River Manager and River Warden to BCC. A close working relationship has been established with the River Manager through the Development Department’s work on the Lagan Canal Project.

2.   The management and maintenance of Public Realm and Public Art.

      There is currently a Service Level Agreement (S.L.A.) in place, between Parks and Cemeteries Service Section, Belfast City Council and DSD for Public Realm sites and Laganside designated area. Once BCC is responsible for the management of the sites an S.L.A. would be put in place between Development Department and Parks and Cemeteries Service Section. All aspects of work currently requiring DSD approval would now be approved by Development Department who will step into the shoes of DSD.  Repairs and maintenance of the public art projects generally require individual contact with the art designers as repairs and maintenance can be unique to each individual piece. Details of the contractual agreements with artists for each piece can be managed within the Development Department.

3.   The management and maintenance of workspace buildings.

      BCC Development Department has taken part in a survey of the Cathedral Quarter Managed Workspaces as part of a review of the Managed Workspaces undertaken by BDO Stoy Hayward on behalf of DSD. DSD have a management agreement with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau

      At the November Development Committee Members agreed to receive a presentation from Gerry Lennon of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau on its draft Marketing and Visitor Servicing Plan and to consider the Bureau's application for funding.  A copy of the draft Marketing and Visitor Servicing Plan 2009-2012 is available on Modern.gov.

      Tourism is a major success story in Belfast, reflected by the significant growth in tourism numbers and spend; investment by the public and private sectors in the tourism infrastructure and the establishment of a strong presence on the international stage.

      Key achievements include:-

      Tourism to the City has more than quadrupled over the last 6 years to reach 6.9 million visitors in 2007 spending £313 million in the local economy.  This included 1.4 million overnight stays of which 1.2 million were from out-of-state, an increase of 18% on the previous year.

      Between 2000 and 2007 out-of-state overnight visitors grew by 144% compared to 26% in NI as a whole.  Belfast accounts for nearly 60% of all out-of-state overnight trips to NI and circa 40% of out-of-state overnight spend.  Up to 45% of all overnight stays in Belfast visit places outside of the City.  Clearly Belfast is a draw and magnet for tourism to NI and generates substantial economic return for the wider region. 

      Of the 1.2 million out-of-state overall visitors, 40% were business tourists, 30% pure holiday tourism and 13% were visiting friends and relations (17% were not classified).

      In 2007 Belfast secured 53 conferences equating to c.15,000 delegates generating over £7 million for the economy.

      In 2008 Belfast welcomed 39 cruise ships equating to 64,000 visitors.

      During 2007 the BWC, BIA TIC and GBBCA TIC handled a total of 540,000 enquiries.

      2008 figures and performance analysis will not be finalised until February/March 2009.  The major issue currently facing most industry sectors, including tourism, is the credit crisis and the downturn facing the global economy.  Whilst there is no general consensus of opinion on what the exact impact of the credit crisis will be, industry sources suggest that the tourism sector will lose some business from overseas visitors and business travellers, and from domestic tourism spending.

      The projections were set against a 2007 baseline, and reflect the following average annual increases over 2008, 2009 and 2010:

-    Overnight visitors to increase by an average of 7.6% per annum;

-    Total visitors to increase by an average of 4.5% per annum;

-    Revenue from overnight visitors to increase by an average of 4.5% per annum; and

-    Total visitor spend to increase by an average of 4.5% per annum.

      In addition to these overall projections, BVCB has also set the following departmental targets for 2009:

            (Mr. C. Quigley, Director of Legal Services, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      At its November meeting, Committee considered a request from the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre to extend BCC financial support agreed in 2006 in response to their ‘extenuating circumstances’.

      The support, which was time limited, was agreed as £14,600 per annum in each of the financial years 2006/07 and 2007/08.

      Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter to enable legal and other advice to be obtained with a view to the matter being considered further at a special meeting of the Committee.

Key Issues

Details of officer support to Rape Crisis Centre

in response to committee

      This support was given in order to allow the RC&SAC both time and technical assistance to address the concerns raised by the Department of Health in order that they might re apply for departmental funding.

1.   Officer support and access to dedicated training to address the specific financial and administrative systems deficiencies – this was through Community and Leisure finance section.  RC&SAC failed to accept this indicating they felt that Council systems and financial procedures were not appropriate to their needs

2.   In response to the above, RC&SAC were invited to identify an alternative source who could deliver training of a nature appropriate to their needs.  BCC could then confirm the proposed training‘s suitability and pay for it through the requisition system.

3.   RC&SAC did not identify an alternative provider.  The officer therefore indicated that an appropriate amount from the £14,600.00 per annum allocation could be used towards securing relevant, financial and administrative training for the group.

4.   Prior to the financial award of 2006/07, Community Development Officer support was given to address basic financial systems such as petty cash procedures, production of income and expenditure records, funding applications and organising Annual General Meetings

5.   Community Services has maintained ongoing officer contact with the group, particularly around monitoring throughout the 06/07 and 07/08 financial periods.  Contact was focused on the need to meet monitoring requirements, to collect information and to advise the group on how to implement improvements.

6.   To assist the group to submit information in relation to the current request, unlimited access to named Community Development Worker support was offered for a period of 3 weeks i.e. 24 September to 17 October 2008

      Legal Advice

      The Director of Legal Services provided advice to inform the original decision taken by the Community & Leisure Sub-Committee at a meeting on 17 October 2006 in consideration of the general issue of funding to the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre.  The advice was as follows:

      'where a funding application falls outside the criteria established for the relevant grant scheme then Council should normally apply the general principle that the Council as a public body in operating grant schemes must act and be seen to be acting in a manner which is objective, transparent and fair.  There may  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee agreed to refer to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee a report regarding the location of a live sites public screen within the grounds of the City Hall as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 10th September, it had agreed that a key component of the Strategic Neighbourhood Action Plan would be the organisation of a neighbourhood engagement programme to operate between May and October, 2009.  Accordingly, tenders had been sought for the undertaking of this work.

            The Director reported that nine tenders had been received and these had been examined using pre-agreed criteria.  Accordingly, she recommended that the most economically advantageous tender received, that submitted by Blueprint Development Consultancy, Ormeau Business Park, Belfast, in the sum of £84,900, be accepted.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Director reminded the Committee that, in 2003, the Department for Social Development had produced a Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy entitled “People and Place”, which aimed to tackle deprivation within the most disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods in Northern Ireland.  As a result, twelve Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships had been established in Belfast.  She reminded the Committee further that, since 2007, the Development Department’s Strategic Neighbourhood Action Plan Team had been responsible of the co-ordination of neighbourhood renewal for the Council.  Since that date, the Team had provided considerable support to the Partnerships including:

(i)    preparing co-ordinated responses to each of the Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans.  These had resulted in the Council being identified as having a lead or supporting role in over 500 service delivery actions at a neighbourhood level;

(ii)    creating a neighbourhood renewal database which detailed all of the key actions and implications for the Council;

(iii)   appointing two Neighbourhood Development Officers to co-ordinate the delivery of proposals contained within the Action Plans;

(iv)  securing a commitment to deliver on neighbourhood renewal within the Council’s Corporate Plan; and

(v)   profiling Council service delivery within each Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

            The Director pointed out that the Council acting alone could not deliver on all of the proposals within the Action Plans, since other organisations had been requested to assist in the undertaking of a number of them.  There was, therefore, a need for the Council to work in partnership with a range of organisations in order to ensure that neighbourhood renewal was delivered successfully. 

            She advised the Members that over recent months discussions had been held with the Belfast Regeneration Office on a wide range of issues, including Neighbourhood Renewal, its synergies with the Strategic Neighbourhood Action Plan and the potential to commence a pilot scheme whereby both organisations could deliver services in a more integrated manner and apply the lessons learned to future Action Plans.  Following these discussions, the Belfast Regeneration Office had suggested that the Lenadoon Neighbourhood Renewal Area be considered as a suitable location for a joint pilot scheme to test joined-up activities in the short, medium and long term.  She pointed out that a report on the progress of this project would be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.  She assured the Members that, whilst the work on the Lenadoon Area scheme was being developed, the Council would continue its work on the twelve Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans.

            Several Members expressed concern at the length of time it had taken for the Department for Social Development to agree to participate in a pilot scheme and expressed the view that one pilot area was insufficient.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the information which had been provided, agreed that the Council officers explore with the Belfast Regeneration Office the use of the Lenadoon Neighbourhood Renewal Area as a potential pilot area for joint working and agreed further that the Belfast Regeneration Office be informed that the Committee wished for more such pilot schemes to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            (Mr. J. Nelson, Community Services Area Manager (East), attended in connection with this item.)

            The Community Development Manager advised the Committee that, in 2007, the Council and the East Belfast Community Development Agency had initiated a pilot community improvement scheme in the Sydenham area, which was an area of weak infrastructure but was located outside the established Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.  This had resulted in the formation of the Sydenham Working Group involving representatives from the Statutory, Community and Church organisations within that area of the City.  The scheme had been supported under the Department for Social Development’s Areas at Risk Scheme and had resulted in major community development work being undertaken to improve the area. 

            As a result of the success of this pilot scheme, the Council and the Development Agency were proposing to undertake development work in four other areas of East Belfast, namely Ardcarn, Bloomfield, Clarawood and Knocknagoney, which, like Sydenham, had weak community infrastructure and were not located within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area.  She pointed out that, whilst a number of groups were undertaking community development work in these areas, no cohesive or co-ordinated approach was being followed and that only the East Belfast Community Development Agency had the capacity to undertake the work in this area of the City.

            She advised the Committee that this project would last for approximately eighteen months, would cost £29,800 across the four locations and that the major aspects of the scheme would be set out in a development partnership agreement between the Council and the Agency.

Approved.

            Councillor Crozier declared an interest in this item, in that a group with which he was associated had been awarded financial assistance under this scheme, and took no part in the discussion.

            The Community Development Manager reminded the Committee that Community Development Project Grants were awarded to organisations which supported and strengthened local efforts to enhance and improve the quality of life within a neighbourhood or area.  The maximum amount which could be awarded under this scheme was £500.  She indicated that the maximum amount which could be awarded to a Community Group under the authority delegated currently to the Director of Development in any one financial year was £500.  In previous years, in order to permit applications received under the Christmas Community Chest, which enabled organisations to hold events during the Christmas period for local residents, to be processed using this delegated authority the former Client Services Committee had approved the payment of Community Development Project Grants.  This was now the responsibility of the Development Committee and it would be necessary, therefore, for it to approve the payment of grants. 

            She reported that forty-four Project Grant applications had been received, thirty?six of which had been recommended for grant-aid and it was proposed that a total of £18,000 be allocated in this regard. 

            The Committee considered the applications which had been received, noted that the assistance to the Small Step Adult Education Group was subject to specific assurances being received and agreed to adopt the recommendations as indicated below:

Recommendations for Grant Approval

Recommendations for Grant Refusal

            The Community Development Manager informed the Committee that the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust had requested that Glenbrook Surestart be permitted to use the minor hall at the Ligoniel Community Centre, which was directly?managed by the Council, on a regular sessional basis between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. Monday to Friday for a period of three years commencing in February 2009 and had requested the exclusive use of a store located in the hall in order to provide child developmental programme for two year olds from the greater Ligoniel area.  She pointed out that Glenbrook Surestart was a Government funded initiative which worked with parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of pre?school children. 

            She advised the Members that part of the request would require the Council to carry out specified adaptation works to facilitate Glenbrook Surestart which would be funded through the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and any costs incurred would be reimbursed to the Council on completion of the work.  In addition, it was possible that further additional minor adaptations to the exterior of the Centre might have to be undertaken and that a similar arrangement regarding the payment for this work would be made.

            The Community Development Manager informed the Members that a Licence Agreement would be completed in order to formalise this arrangement, which was essentially a block booking of facilities at the Ligoniel Community Centre for a three year period.  The Agreement would cover the times the organisation would be using the Centre, which could be varied by the Council, and would indicate the hire charges which would be assessed annually.  Payment for the exclusive use of the storage facility would be additional to these charges and would be fixed probably for the three year period.  The Agreement would also provide for the transfer of funds in relation to the completed adaptation works and the provision for the recovery of the costs of reinstatement in regard to these works, if subsequently required by the Council.  She pointed out that the costs of the internal adaptation work had been estimated at £13,000 and, based on current rates, it was anticipated that the hire charges for the use of the Centre would be in the region of £37 per week, whilst costs for the store usage had still to be calculated.  Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee agree to the request from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the associated expenditure as outlined, subject to the completion of the Licence Agreement to be prepared by the Director of Legal Services, on the understanding that the costs of the adaptation work would be reimbursed to the Council.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      BelfastCity Centre Management

      BCCM are currently working on their business plan for the financial year 2009-2010 and have asked for an opportunity to present their draft proposals to Members at an upcoming meeting of the Development Committee.

      World Trade Centre Belfast Business Plan

      BelfastCity Council acquired the World Trade Centre Belfast licence in 2002 in partnership with Multi Development. In 2007, the Council purchased back Multi Development’s 50% of the licence. Since the appointment of the WTC Officer in March 2007, work has been undertaken to develop WTC Belfast activities. This has included a WTC Belfast Export Excellence Seminar Series for local companies this year as well as managing inward investment activities. To determine the longer term plans for WTC Belfast services, a business plan has been developed.

      Employability support

      Members will be aware that, at the Development Committee meeting of 8 May 2008, the findings of two major elements of research on employability issues and skills were presented for information.  Since completion of the research, work has continued with key partners to consider how the issues identified might be addressed.

      Crescent Fair

      At the September meeting of the Development Committee, Members agreed to support a range of activities to promote the development of the independent retail sector in the City.  South Belfast Partnership is currently planning to hold a one-day festival which will offer an opportunity for local artists and art students to promote their designs by holding a fair at Crescent Open Space. 

Key Issues

      BelfastCity Centre Management

      BelfastCity Centre Management is undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at improving the environment and the retail offering within the City centre area.  Following a successful year, BCCM are now considering a range of new initiatives as well as further development of existing activity and have asked for an opportunity to present this to the Development Committee.

      World Trade Centre Belfast

      The strategies outlined by Programme for Government, DETI and Invest NI emphasise the need to support more companies to become exporters.  Invest NI currently supports approximately only 5% of local companies and one of their priorities is to attract more client companies.   The WTC business plan highlights the trade barriers and needs of local companies, the current assistance available and gaps in provision which WTC Belfast can fill.  The business plan also details the commercial opportunities for WTC Belfast to secure income in order to secure the sustainability and growth of the service activities.

      It proposes the following services:

-     WTC Belfast Membership – target of 200 member companies established

-     WTC Global Skills Workshops – introducing companies to the practicalities of trading internationally

-     WTC Belfast Trade Missions – linking in with current providers (NICCI, Invest NI), we will undertake a small number of trade missions to target markets

-     WTC Global Supply Chain Management Programmes – helping companies improve their global supply chain management by looking at how they buy, sell or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Consultants were commissioned in August 2008 to update the current Belfast City Council Transport Policy. The purpose of the commission is to:

-     Carry out a review of the existing Transport Policy and ‘Environmental Policy Package’ in order to provide the Council with an up to date transport vision for the city and to support the Council’s civic leadership role of facilitating the development of sustainable transport options for the City.

-     modify the existing ‘Environmental Policy Package’ in order to take account of the Council’s workplace and fleet transport requirements and to identify linkages with other corporate objectives. The review will include a detailed overview of Belfast City Council’s transport activities with the objective of establishing the potential for a range of more sustainable transport options for operational activity, staff and fleet vehicles.

      Continued engagement in the processes that shape the growth and development of the city requires the Council to be fully informed of current best practice in transport policy in order to participate in the proposed consultations and influence transport initiatives planned for the city. The ability to effectively participate in the proposed review of the Regional Transport Strategy will be an essential element of the approach to ensuring the sustainable development of the city and region. In addition the proposals for the Review of Public Administration with the proposed transfer of responsibility for local planning functions reinforces the need for the Council to have a consistent and coherent transport policy to ensure integration of land use and transportation issues within Belfast.

Key Issues

      The initial work on the review of the transport policy has completed 3 Stages covering the following activities:

Stage 1

A technical review of the current transport policy.

Stage 2

-     Identification of effective approaches to sustainable transport in comparable cities;

-     A review of current and proposed transport initiatives for Belfast; and

-     Consultation workshops with elected members, internal officers and external representatives.

Stage 3

-     A review of Belfast City Council staff and fleet transport activities;

-     Internal Staff travel survey; and

-     Identification of initiatives from workplace travel planning in comparable local authorities.

      The main findings from Stage 1 to 3 were that:

-     The technical review showed that the current policy provided the Council with a coherent approach to lobby on sustainable transport issues, input into the formulation of the BMTP, BMAP and the development of the Belfast City Council Air Quality Action plan.

-     The revised transport policy should set out a clear transport vision for Belfast feeding into the current review of the RDS and the proposed review of the RTS and BMTP.

-     A review of best practice highlighted the potential for consideration of new initiatives such as ‘Shared spaces’ and ‘low emission zones’ which are being implemented in a number of European cities.

-     The Review of Public Administration and the transfer of functions will have significant implications as the transfer of road functions is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Sprucefield Centre Ltd submitted a revised application for a significant retail development (including John Lewis Partnership) at Sprucefield in August 2008. The current proposed scheme will comprise:

-       John LewisDepartment Store of 22,300 m² (covering four floors);

-       19 individual retail units with a total area of 22,500 m² (no more than four of the units to be less than 250 m² and the majority more than 500 m ²);

-       7 food units totalling 1,580 m²;

      There is little difference in the size of the proposed development when considered against the previous application, submitted in June 2004. The 2004 application comprised: a JLP Department Store of 20,656 m² and 29 retail units (22,548 m²).  The most significant change to the proposal is the reduction in the number of the proposed retail units with unspecified occupiers from 29 to 19 units, although it should be noted that there is no change in the actual retail area.

      The history of the most recent application is summarised below:

-       The Council with several other objectors lodged objections to the original planning application to develop a John Lewis Department Store and 29 additional shop units at Sprucefield. The objections were based on the fact that the application ran contrary to both the current and proposed planning policy and was likely to damage the retail-led regeneration of Belfast and other adjoining centres.

-       On 1 June 2005, the then Environment Minister Lord Rooker announced his intention to grant planning permission for the 2004 Sprucefield retail application under the provisions of Article 31 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991. Under the provisions of Article 31 the DOE has three options, issue a notice of opinion to refuse, issue a notice of opinion to approve or call a Public Inquiry by the Planning Appeals Commission. In this instance the decision by the Environment Minister Lord Rooker was to issue a notice of opinion to approve.

-       The Council with other objectors challenged the process and Ministerial decision through judicial review proceedings.  This challenge was successful with the ruling stating that the Ministerial decision to approve the application was made without recourse to a Local Inquiry and against the advice of his professional advisors.

-       Sprucefield Centre Ltd subsequently resubmitted the application for the proposed John Lewis Store and 29 additional retail units and, on 27 March 2007, the new Environment Minister David Cairns again announced his intention to grant planning permission.  Leave was again granted for a number of objectors including Belfast City Council to have the Minister’s intention to approve the scheme judicially reviewed. In light of the announcement that the Minister was minded to approve the application against the advice of Planning Service, Sprucefield Centre Ltd withdrew the application in July 2007.

-       At the time of withdrawal Sprucefield Centre Ltd stated that they would enter into pre-application with Planning Service on a revised scheme. The planning application for the revised scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Audience NI is the Audience Development Agency for Northern Ireland, with mission to ‘enable Arts and Cultural organisations to diversify audiences for the arts’.  Test Drive the Arts is a means of breaking down barriers to attendance in the Arts.  It encourages people to experience an aspect of the arts for the first time with aim of bringing in new audiences and diversifying attendance in the arts.  The scheme uses unsold capacity in arts venues and offers unsold tickets, free of charge, to specially targeted non-attenders.  Tickets are offered at no cost to the project by participating venues.  The scheme was intended to develop a longer term relationship with the new attendees with follow-up offers, a personalised approach and after sales service. This model supports the development of a lasting relationship with the new audience.

      Members will be aware, a pilot Test Drive the Arts Initiative was approved as part of the Celebrate Belfast programme funded by the Millennium Commission at the Development Committee 17 August 2005.  Audiences NI administered all external elements of the project and co-ordinated a centralised database from which non?attenders were targeted and relationships managed.  The original scheme was modelled on similar schemes operating in Manchester and elsewhere which enabled members of the public with a Belfast postcode to be eligible. Subsequently, Audiences NI completed a programme which included the production of a Classical Arts NI database to ensure that beneficiaries were new and not previous attenders.

      This work aimed to build on research work undertaken by Audiences NI, in partnership with the Council, to examine attendance based on Super Output Areas developed by NISRA, and the MOSAIC NI analysis, which characterises households by demographic, lifestyle and targeted areas of geographical proximity to the venues and within the top 10% of the most deprived areas (as identified through the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure and representing a range of areas across the city).

      This initiative represented the first time that Belfast household’s were selected in this way, to target areas of low penetration of arts attendance and was intended to inform the development of ‘barriers to access’ strategies, which target areas of high deprivation and promote access to the arts.  The pilot project was extremely successful establishing a baseline that represented a spread of geographic/wards in the Belfast region.  A full report on the outputs is available on Modern.gov.

Key Issues

      A revised programme, delivered and managed through Audience NI would present a modified model ‘Test Drive the arts NI Online’ a web-based initiative, is proposed to be delivered in 2009-2011.  The Aims & Objectives of the proposed ‘Test Drive the Arts NI Online’ is available on Modern.gov.

      Within the Integrated Cultural Strategy (ICS) under Strategic Leadership, Aim 1.2 council has agreed to provide and support creative responses to the social and political challenges in the city.  A revised programme ‘Test Drive the Arts NI Online’ fits well with this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

            The Director of Development reminded the Members that the Council’s Development and Outreach Initiative Grants were intended to build capacity and boost cultural activity in communities with weak cultural and arts infrastructure in areas of multiple deprivation.  Groups benefiting must either have a disability focus or be based within one or more of the designated Super Output Areas in Belfast.  She reminded the Committee further that, having been piloted by the Council in 2002, the Initiative had subsequently been revised and was open to collaborative partnerships of community organisations and arts/heritage organisations and she outlined the relevant criteria and amount of funding which was available.

            During the current financial year, twenty-eight applications for assistance had been received, thirteen of which had been funded.  She informed the Members that information sessions regarding the Initiative would be held across the City from 19th till 23rd January.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that an amount not exceeding £170,000 be set aside to cover the costs of the Development and Outreach Initiative during the 2009/2010 financial year.

            The Committee noted a report which outlined the amount of media coverage and the extent of press and media enquiries received concerning the work of the Committee during the period from September till November.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Late Night Art

      At the Development Committee on 17 April 2007 Members approved the organisation of pilot gallery tours on Thursday evenings in order to make specific areas of culture more accessible to visitors; encourage venues to extend their opening hours; complement evening economy activity; capitalise on momentum created by the Belfast Art Guide; and provide visitors with cultural activity in the early evening

      ‘Late Night Art’ was launched in August 2008 with public galleries staying open until 9pm on the first Thursday of every month.  BCC worked in partnership with CultureNI to promote the initiative through Belfastgalleries.com and provided free monthly e?newsletters, an interactive map and online exhibitions.

      Late Night Art has been a tremendous success and proved that galleries can increase audiences and profile by working in partnership.  Monitoring and research from the galleries that participated and a report on Belfastgalleries.com has shown:

-     galleries have received record visitor numbers and with some receiving more visitors on a Thursday night than they do throughout the week.  Feedback reports show total footfall recorded at approximately 1,000 per evening, the website is receiving more than 1,100 unique visitors per month from over 25 countries worldwide and there are 1,213 members signed up to receive the e-newsletter.

-     all Belfast Gallery coach and walking tours sold out within days of going on sale including two tours on 4 December.

-     54% of visitors rated the initiative as excellent and 46% rated it very good

-     it has given galleries access to new audiences, including visitors to Belfast, city centre workers and students

-     it has raised the profile of Belfast’s art in a way that would have been beyond individual galleries to achieve

-     the inclusion of introductions from artists and curators, workshops, entertainment and refreshments has made new audiences feel welcome in the gallery environment

-     Galleries have recorded a significant increase in national and international visitors

-     the initiative has had an overall effect in increasing numbers visiting galleries throughout the month

      Music Tourism

      The Cultural Tourism Strategy ‘Developing Belfast’s Opportunity’ details the aim to support and develop new cultural tourism product development.  Music tourism is one of the newest types of tourism.  Recent Visit Britain’s research shows that 21% of potential visitors are inspired to choose a destination because of the music or bands of that country and 49% of visitors are very likely to go to live music concerts or events. Music and musicians, solo artists and bands are often someone’s first introduction to the unique appeal of this country, and Members will be aware that in our Sister City Nashville the concept of music tourism has reached its ideal.

      Music has been the key driver of visitors to Liverpool during their Capital of Culture 2008, supported by Visit Britain’s campaign ‘England Rocks’ which promoted Liverpool internationally as the gateway to music.  The Tourism Development Unit has been working with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

            The Director informed the Committee that, in order to improve upon the range of services which would be offered to customers at the re-opened Ulster Hall, it was intended that a café be located in the main foyer during Monday to Saturday, which would operate in line with the box office opening hours and that a bar service would be available during each event.  Accordingly, tenders had been sought for the provision of café and bar services at the facility.  She pointed out that catering functions taking place within the Ulster Hall would not be considered as part of the catering franchise.  She reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 10th September, concern had been expressed regarding a proposal to restrict the Ulster Hall catering outlet to provide only one brand of coffee.  She informed the Members that this restriction had been removed from the tender documentation.

            The Director recommended, in order to ensure that the franchisee could be appointed as quickly as possible, that authority be delegated to herself and the Chairman to accept the most advantageous tender received.

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee was reminded that the Department for Social Development had published recently a consultation document regarding the Draft Equality Impact Assessment on the regeneration of Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Park and that the Council had submitted previously a response to the Draft Masterplan for the site.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that the undernoted document be forwarded to the Department for Social Development as the Council response to the Draft Equality Impact Assessment on Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Park:

      “BelfastCity Council welcomes the opportunity to respond to the draft Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the regeneration of Crumlin Road Gaol and GirdwoodPark.

      Council wishes to acknowledge the valuable work of Central Government over several years in providing support and working with communities in north Belfast to develop mutually beneficial partnerships and to provide improved opportunities across a range of social, economic, educational and employability initiatives.  Such interventions provide a solid platform for ongoing engagement, dialogue and the realisation of the potential of the regeneration of the Crumlin Road Gaol/ GirdwoodPark area to create further opportunities to the benefit, in particular, of local people.

      Political representatives from all Parties have played an important role in the development of the proposals for the site thus far.  It is clear from the deliberations of the Advisory Panel and the consultation exercise that followed the publication of the draft Masterplan for the site that no blueprint for ‘shared space’ is yet at hand.  The draft EQIA reinforces that view. 

      That said, however, Council continues to regard the regeneration of the site as a vital opportunity to create shared space, rooted in values of inclusion, diversity, equity and inter?dependence, and reaffirms its commitment to exercise civic leadership in working alongside central government, local communities and other stakeholders. 

      Council is convinced that the regeneration of the area can only be achieved if the importance of such values is recognised and is coupled to a long-term commitment to promote systematically greater civic understanding and debate at all levels, with all stakeholders and at the level of wider public opinion.

      Council’s response is limited to salient issues arising from the EQIA, namely:

      Areas of agreement; Equality and Good Relations; Housing; Leisure; and the Arc Road.

Areas of agreement

      Council welcomes evidence of cross community consensus on ‘many issues such as increased employment, tourism, health provision and the potential for improved educational facilities and accessibility to crèche facilities which were perceived to address community need.’ (49: 7.3)

      Council has extensive experience in employability initiatives (such as the Gasworks Employment Scheme), tourism, leisure and local economic development and remain fully committed to the development of the site to maximise benefits, particularly for local people.  To that end, Council will continue to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to effect such outcomes.

Equality and Good Relations

      BelfastCity Council is fully committed to the principles and formal legal responsibilities of Equality of Opportunity and the promotion of Good Relations.  In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      At the May 2008 meeting of the Development Committee, Members committed to developing the Nashville Sister City relationship by approving the contents of the 2008/09 Action Plan and its implementation within budget.  One of the key elements of this action plan will be the Belfast-Nashville Sister Cities’ Celebration event which is scheduled to take place in Nashville on 17 March 2009. This will feature five of Belfast’s best musicians who will perform with their counterparts from Nashville.  The event will be compered by Ralph McLean from BBC Northern Ireland.

      At the same meeting, Members voted to support Council participation in the South by Southwest (SXSW) Media Conference and Festival for 2009 and 2010.  SXSW is the premier global event focusing on the creative side of the music and entertainment business which takes place each year in Austin, Texas.  The 2009 event runs from 18–22 March 2009.  At least five artists from Belfast have been successful in their application to showcase their music at this event. 

      As with last year’s visit, it is planned that the artists will travel to Nashville and a selection of them will travel onwards to Austin.  A civic delegation comprising the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Development Committee and three officers will travel to Nashville with the artists.  Following the Nashville event, the rest of the delegation (Chair and Deputy Chair of Development Committee and three officers) will travel onwards to Austin.  In addition, the Creative Industries Officer will travel directly to Austin.

Key Issues

      A music tourism event is planned for Nashville on 17 March 2009.  Delivered by the Belfast Nashville Songwriters’ Festival, this will feature five of Belfast’s best musicians who perform with high profile singer-songwriters from Nashville.  It is a unique opportunity to launch Belfast’s Music Tourism initiatives internationally and this will be endorsed by the Nashville Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Nashville Sister City Representatives. Arts Council NI has committed £15,500 to cover artists’ and promoters’ costs for the Nashville event.

      Tourism Ireland has been working with its offices across the United States in recent months to highlight events on 17 March and will be promoting the event to travel and music journalists.  They invited the Belfast Nashville Songwriters’ Festival to attend their travel trade showcase in Atlanta to profile the SisterCity Relationship and linkages.  They will launch and market Belfast City Council’s new music products including belfastmusic.org to promote Belfast as a vibrant European destination and the gateway to Ireland and Europe. 

      The Ulster Historical Foundation will also attend the event in Nashville on 17 March to run workshops in order to promote Scots?Irish genealogy and how to trace family history in order to profile cultural and historical links between the two cities and target the Scots-Irish community in the Southern States as potential holiday visitors.

      Media organisations within Belfast and Nashville are working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.