Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Cunningham, Kirkpatrick, C. Maskey and P. Maskey.

            The minutes of the meeting of 10th June 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 July.

            The Chairman informed the Committee of a bereavement affecting a member of staff within the Development Department.  The Committee agreed that a letter of condolence expressing its sympathies be forwarded to the officer concerned.

Oral report

            (Mr. P. McNaney, Chief Executive, and Mrs. J. Minne, Head of Human Resources, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director of Development informed the Committee that she had been appointed recently to the position of Director and Chief Executive of the Belfast Metropolitan College and would be leaving the Council’s service on 31st October. 

            At this point in the meeting, at the request of the Chairman, all officers present, with the exception of the Chief Executive, the Director of Development, the Head of Human Resources and the Committee Administrator, left the room whilst this item was discussed.

            The Chief Executive paid tribute to the work which Ms. McGivern had undertaken during her ten years of service with the Council and indicated that there would be a more appropriate occasion when Members and officers could mark the contribution which she had made to the City during her employment.  He advised that the nature and level of the post would normally mean that an executive search approach was included in the recruitment arrangements which typically involved researching market conditions, identifying and encouraging suitably experienced applicants, a dedicated website for the role, providing impartial advice on the role, answering applicants’ queries, following-up initial candidate interest, handling responses and conducting an initial sifting exercise for presentation to the Council’s selection panel.  He indicated that the cost of this work would be in the region of £15,000.  He pointed out that the responsibilities and functions of the Director of Development, along with other chief officer posts in the Council, may change as a result of the Review of Public Administration and/or organisational change.  Consequently, this post should be offered on the basis that the responsibilities and functional areas outlined in the job description may be amended.  The Chief Executive indicated that such a clause should be included in each of the Council’s Directors’ terms of employment which would permit flexibility of responsibility in the run up to the Review of Public Administration.

            The Head of Human Resources indicated that the appointment would be made on merit in accordance with the Council’s normal recruitment and selection procedures and the Local Government Staff Commission’s Code of Practice on Recruitment and Selection.  The selection panel for the post should comprise the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, one other Elected Member, the Chief Executive, another Director or the Head of Human Resources, a professional assessor and a representative from the Local Government Staff Commission, with the community balance being provided across the Elected Members and gender balance to be provided across the panel. 

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the post of Director of Development be filled following the method outlined by the Chief Executive and the Head of Human Resources and authorised the employment of an appropriate company to undertake the executive search for the post at an appropriate cost of £15,000.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

Update on the Regional Development Strategy/Regional Transportation Strategy Review

      The review of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) was announced by the Minister for Regional Development in June 2008. Following the Department of Regional Development (DRD) stakeholder workshops in December, the Council submitted an initial written response which was approved by the Development Committee in February 2009.

      The Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) for Northern Ireland 2002-2012 was published in July 2002 outlining the strategic transportation investment priorities, potential funding sources and affordability of planned initiatives over the 10 year plan period. The Regional Transportation Strategy supports the RDS by defining the transportation vision for the Province and included a commitment to carry out a review.

      Sprucefield Public Inquiry

      In August 2008, Sprucefield Centre Ltd submitted a revised application for a significant retail development (including John Lewis Partnership) at Sprucefield. The proposed scheme will comprise a John Lewis Department 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 m²), and 7 food units totalling 1,580 m².

      Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce attended the Special Development Committee meeting in February 2009 to express their concerns in relation to the current Sprucefield Centre application for further retail development. The Committee agreed to maintain the previously adopted position and submit an objection to the proposed development, including a recommendation that the proposed development be subject to a public inquiry.

      The Council submitted an objection to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) reiterating the previously articulated position that the application would be considered contrary to both the current (RDS) and the proposed planning policies (BMAP) by virtue of the adverse implications for the existing retail centres and the future regeneration of Belfast and other adjoining centres.

      The Department of Environment has requested the Planning Appeals Commission to conduct an Article 31 public inquiry for the purpose of considering the implications arising from the Sprucefield Centre Ltd application.  The inquiry date has been set for Monday, 30th November 2009 at Park House, Great Victoria Street. 

      The BelfastMasterplan Review

      The Council commissioned a masterplan for Belfast in 2003 to provide a framework for the development of Belfast for the period to 2020. The BelfastMasterplan was published in April 2004 and provided a strategic development framework for Belfast based on consideration of the economic, social and environmental issues in the City.

      The adopted BelfastMasterplan provides the Council with a strategic vision for the future regeneration and growth of the City. The Masterplan also provides the basis for Council engagement in the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, strategic development sites such as Titanic Quarter and the various regeneration strategies published by the Department for Social Development. The analysis also supported Council regeneration initiatives such as ‘Renewing the Routes’.

      Transport Policy Review

      The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Background Information

      This report provides general updates on progress for the Renewing the Routes Programme and seeks endorsement of proposed actions, including amendments to identified projects, the reallocation of resources and proposals in relation to two art pieces.

      The report also provides clarification of the issues raised at the previous Committee, outlines a partnership request from the Belfast Regeneration Office and seeks approval for a review of the current Renewing the Routes activity with a view to securing the capacity of the Council to carry out targeted local regeneration activity following the completion of the current Renewing the Routes Programme that ends in March 2010.

Key Issues

      Update on progress made with the Renewing the Routes Programme

      Through the Renewing the Routes Programme, the Council continues to develop and lead targeted local regeneration. The Renewing the Routes is a focussed approach to enhancing the vitality of these roads through the implementation of integrated regeneration plans in the Shankill, Falls, Crumlin and Springfield Road areas.

      The challenging programme for each of the areas remains on target in terms of project completions and spend profiles.  Work across the four broad areas has seen over 190 properties benefit from the Commercial Improvement Programme and with the increasing popularity/participation rates within the Programme it is anticipated that a further 160 properties will be completed by March 2010. This emphasis has made this element of the Programme the focus of the transformation within the target regeneration areas. 

      Complementary key initiatives include the Glenbank and Ardoyne public realm projects within the Crumlin area, environmental improvements and public pieces within the upper Springfield area, completion of environmental works to the St Peters area of Falls and the completion of works to Woodvale Presbyterian Church and Shankill Rest Garden in the Shankill.

      Programme Variations

      Members are asked to approve the proposed variations resulting from the continued review of activity and refinement of the final project implementation for the Renewing the Routes Programme.

      Shankill Road

      Committee previously approved the procurement of public art for a site within the Shankill part funded by a £10,000 contribution from the Integrated Development Fund (IDF). Following further consultation and discussions with the funding parties it is considered that the commissioned art piece of a ‘Millie’ could be more appropriately located on the Crumlin Road. Discussions with the Housing Executive have identified the potential for the temporary location of the ‘Millie’ at the site on junction of Clifton Park Avenue and Crumlin Road. This temporary installation would be an interim stage prior to the objective of securing a permanent location as part of proposed redevelopments fronting onto the Crumlin Road.

      This relocation would necessitate a change in the funding arrangement as the agreed Shankill Road IDF allocation could not be applied to a project on the Crumlin Road. It is therefore proposed that the previously agreed contribution to the art piece is met from within existing Departmental budgets.

      The variations proposed are in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee was advised that a consultation document entitled “Reform of the Planning System in Northern Ireland” had been issued by the Department of the Environment.  The consultation set out proposals to make the changes required to the planning system in order to give effect to the majority of planning functions returning to Local Government in 2011.  The Director advised the Members that the Council would be formulating a full response to the consultation prior to the closing date of 2nd October and that a series of stakeholder events would be held across Northern Ireland, including an event in Belfast on 11th September. 

            She indicated that the key issues which had been raised in the consultation document included:

(i)      the potential for the planning system to become fragmented as regional planning functions would remain with the Central Government Departments, while local planning transferred to Councils;

(ii)     a new development planning system and a number of other reforms to be determined by the new Councils which would have significant resource and capacity implications;

(iii)    a proposal for a high level scrutiny of the Councils’ planning functions through a number of measures; and

(iv)    a proposal for a tiered system of dealing with planning applications so that planning applications would be determined by either Central or Local Government, which could potentially cause confusion.

            The Director indicated that the proposals contained within the consultation paper were intended to underpin the transfer of planning functions to local authorities and to the establishment of a framework under which the planning role would be undertaken by the new Councils.  She reminded the Members that the Transition Committee had been established to ensure the continuation of service delivery post 2011 and to integrate the transfer of services and new functions into the new Council’s operation.  Accordingly, she proposed that the Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources (Transition) Committee would be the most appropriate vehicle to determine the Council’s response to the consultation document on planning reform and that both the Development and Town Planning Committees would be invited to the meeting of the Transition Committee at which the draft response to the consultation would be considered.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to note:

(i)      the proposed arrangements for the formulation of a corporate response to the “Reform of the Planning System in Northern Ireland” consultation paper;

(ii)     that any Party Grouping or Member would be able to provide initial input to the formulation of the draft response by contacting the Council’s Review of Public Administration Co-ordinator; and

(iii)    that it was intended to invite Members of the Development and Town Planning Committees to attend the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources (Transition) Committee at which the draft response to the consultation would be considered.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 20th April, 2005, it had agreed to enter into a joint venture with an experienced developer in order to exploit the landfill gas at the North Foreshore for the purposes of generating electricity.  At its meeting on 16th January, 2008, the Committee had appointed Renewable Power Systems to install, operate and manage the landfill gas electricity regeneration facility.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reported that the construction work had been completed to enable the electricity generated to be sold to Northern Ireland Electricity.  The facility was the biggest of its kind in Northern Ireland and would provide four megawatt hours of renewable green electricity, enough to power 5,000 homes. 

She recommended that the Lord Mayor invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to a switch-on ceremony at the North Foreshore on a date to be determined in September, to which the Members of the Development Committee would also be invited.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      This report provides an update on the ongoing implementation phase of the “Re-Imaging Communities” initiative funded by the Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) and outlines a proposal for an exhibition and event to bring together the participating groups and capture the work carried out during the Re-Imaging process.

      The initial project identification activity that formed the basis of the approval was carried out by consultants appointed by the Good Relations Unit to identify both the potential for a range of projects and the basic brief for the final form of the art pieces with associated budget costs.

      Following the Arts Council approval of this first phase, the Development Department, through the Planning & Transport Unit, was tasked with the implementation of twelve potential projects across the City.

      From the identified twelve projects, eleven projects are progressing towards final implementation. The proposed project for the replacement of murals in Inner East was unable to proceed as it has not been possible to secure local agreement for the works developed from the first phase of the overall re-imaging initiative.

      The work on the remaining projects is ongoing and it is anticipated that all eleven will be completed by September 2009.

Key Issues

      Project Updates

      The ‘Re-Imaging Communities’ initiative supports both Council and ACNI corporate objectives in encouraging positive community relations through physical works to address visible signs of sectarianism and racism. The objectives of the programme are to contribute to the creation of welcoming local environments for all residents and visitors through direct works and a facilitated engagement process involving local communities and artists. 

      The individual projects have artists appointed to work with the community on the development and delivery of high quality artwork which will either replace existing sectarian murals or target the re?imaging of local environments to enhance the public realm for the communities to enjoy and celebrate their culture in a more inclusive manner. The selection of the artist and the final artwork was carried out through local panels with the participation of the local groups, facilitators and Council officers.

      Members may wish to note that as part of this process the scope of one of the projects has changed. The An Droichead proposal, instead of developing a mosaic at the railway bridge on Ormeau Road, will now install a sculptural piece on top of the bridge parapet. The change of direction arose from the detailed consultations and the recognition of the prominence of the location. The modification, which required ACNI approval for the re?allocation of resources between budget headings, can be accommodated within the overall programme and will enable completion of all the projects to schedule. The overall programme budget did not change as no additional funding was required.

      All the project details have now been finalised and five of the eleven projects have been successfully completed. A summary of the current status of each project is outlined below:

An Droichead:  A sculptural piece to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            The Head of Civic Events and Venues reminded the Members that the Christmas Lights Switch-on event was attended each year by thousands of people and involved a range of high profile national and local celebrities and, in recent years, the event had been staged at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday in November.  However, due to the work which was being undertaken to the pavements and roads in the City centre under the Streets Ahead Programme and the fact that such work in the area of the City Hall was due to be completed not later than 22nd November, he recommended that the Switch-on event be held this year on the fourth Tuesday in November.

            He pointed out that, for many years, Councillors, staff and guests had been able to access the event via a “guest area” located adjacent to the stage.  However, because health and safety concerns had been raised about the staging projecting into a traffic lane in Donegall Square North, it had become necessary to move the “guest area” to the Robinson and Cleaver side of Donegall Square North.  Due to this relocation, he recommended also that only the Lord Mayor go onto the stage to assist with the actual switching-on of the lights.  In addition, the Head of City Events and Venues proposed, give the current economic situation and budgetary constraints within the Council, that the normal post-event function in the City Hall be not held this year but be replaced with a smaller function for guests prior to the switch-on.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that for this year only:

(i)    the Christmas Lights Switch-on event be held on Tuesday, 24th November;

(ii)    the “guest area” be located on the Robinson and Cleaver side of Donegall Square North;

(iii)   only the Lord Mayor be on stage to assist with the actual switch?on; and

(iv)  the usual post-event function be replaced by a smaller event for guests prior to the switch-on.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that its Chairman and Deputy Chairman represented the Council on the Shadow Board of the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust.  The main aims of the Trust included the restoration and revitalisation of the waterway from Belfast to Lough Neagh, the development of the area as a major recreational and tourism asset for Northern Ireland and the economic regeneration of the communities along its route.  The key benefit to the Council of being a member of the Trust was the ability to influence and shape the future strategic vision of the restored Lagan Canal.

            A major advantage of the Trust was that it could bid for funding which might not be available to the local authorities and organisations which were represented on it.  She reported that the Councils which contributed to the costs of funding the Trust had been requested to make financial commitments to it for the current and following financial years based on the number of locks in each authority’s area, plus contributions from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.  The funding which each organisation was being asked to provide, together with the amount which it had provided in the previous financial year, was as set out hereunder:

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to provide the sums of £18,995 in the current financial year and £14,967 in the 2010/2011 year, subject to the Revenue Estimates for that year being approved.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The purpose of this paper is to provide Members with an overview of current Council support for the development of Belfast’s independent retail sector and to propose an action plan for the further development of this sector during 2009/10.  

      Members may be aware from previous meetings of the Development Committee that Belfast City Council is currently proactive in supporting a wide range of initiatives to assist in the development and promotion of the independent retail sector across the City.  While there are a number of interventions underway at present, up to date research along with specific recent demands from trader groupings have identified additional potential interventions which would support the further development of the sector. 

      Members are asked to note that a budget of £120,000 was approved at the May 2009 meeting of Development Committee as part of the Departmental Business Plan to support independent retail in the City. 

Key Achievements/Outputs to Date

      A thriving independent retail sector is important for the vitality and variety of our City, and the Council has been instrumental in developing and delivering a number of initiatives to ensure the sector continues to flourish and that Belfast develops into a vibrant and attractive place for residents, workers and visitors. 

      Research

      In 2008 Council commissioned research to establish area?specific data regarding the size, sector and geographical locations of independent retail within Belfast.  This research also considered the underpinning strengths and weaknesses of the sector and has since allowed the Council to identify a range of targeted interventions that will help fill gaps in provision that have been identified by independent retailers and key stakeholders across the City. 

      Retail Therapy Programme

      The Council has been proactive in developing the independent retail product in the City and created a bespoke Retail Therapy Programme - a tailored business development initiative which targeted over 60 owners and managers of independent retail outlets throughout Belfast.  Each retailer undertook a business needs audit to identify the key issues facing them in their business, and this was followed by the creation of individual improvement plans.  The businesses which took part were eligible for small grants from the Council to help with the implementation of their improvement plans, therefore providing long term benefits to each participant.  The participants on Retail Therapy greatly valued the Programme and provided feedback regarding areas of future support.  Requests were made for supplementary one-to-one mentoring and long term consultancy support, additional training and masterclasses, support for trader groupings, cooperative marketing activities for independent retailers and grants for improved signage.  These requests for additional support have been considered in the Retail Sector Support Plan. 

      Hospitality and Retail Training for Employment (HARTE)

      The Council designed and developed a bespoke Hospitality and Retail Training for Employment programme in January 2009.  This programme will create 200 jobs for the long term unemployed in Belfast in the hospitality and retail industries over a period of three years.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Members that, in September, 2008, St. George’s Market had hosted a series of events as part of the Belfast Food Festival .

            She pointed out that, although the Belfast Festival was not being held this year, the Department in conjunction with the traders intended to hold a Food Festival at the Market during September.  This would feature local chefs and produce sold at St. George’s.  The cost of organising the event, which would promote the venue as Northern Ireland’s premier food market, would be met from within the Department’s Revenue Estimates.

Noted.

            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 Mariusz Olzzewski, Flat 6, 6 Cromwell Road, Belfast and Sabina Lukomska, 6 Cherryville Street, Belfast, at a cost of £200 per month, for the purposes of operating a nail bar and the sale of health products and that Unit 7 had been let to Enrique Benasa, 63 Dunlambert Drive, Belfast, at a cost of £536 per month for the purposes of selling groceries.

Noted.

            The Committee deferred consideration of a report regarding the capital works programme which had been undertaken recently at the Ulster Hall to enable a site visit to be held. 

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

            The Head of City Events and Venues informed the Committee that the promoters of the Mosconi Cup were seeking bids to host the event in 2010.  The Cup was an annual nine-ball pool tournament contested between two teams representing Europe and America.  It had previously been held in such cities as London, Rotterdam and Las Vegas.  He reported that it had been estimated that approximately £100,000 would be required to host the event.  However, in the region of £40,000 of this would be “in kind” expenditure.  Benefits of the event being held in Belfast would be world-wide television coverage, Council branding at press conferences, venue locations and on the players’ kit and positive coverage in a multitude of publications and websites across the world.

            He indicated that it was intended that the event would be held in the Ulster Hall and that the City Events Unit had the necessary funding within its budget to meet the costs of holding the Mosconi Cup in 2010, a proportion of which would have been previously allocated to the Northern Ireland Snooker Trophy which would not be held in 2010 due to the unavailability of a suitable venue for the dates required.  He pointed out that other sources of funding would be sought in order to reduce the amount which the Council would be required to provide.

            During discussion in the matter, several Members expressed the view that the expenditure which would be involved in bringing the Mosconi Cup to Belfast did not represent good value for money and requested information regarding the costs which had been incurred by the Council in holding the Northern Ireland Snooker Trophy in recent years.

            In response, the Events Manager indicated that the Cup was a highly-prized competition and that other cities were intending to submit bids to host the event in 2010.  He pointed out that the organisers handled the technical issues involved in organising the Cup and obtained income from selling the television rights.  He indicated also that it had been estimated that the Cup would attract 2,000 visitors to Belfast.  However, as the game of pool attracted a worldwide audience, whereas snooker did not, it was anticipated that the event would receive considerably more television coverage across the world as it was being covered by Sky TV, compared to the Northern Ireland Snooker Trophy which had been broadcast by Eurosport across Europe only.  He informed the Members that the Council had contributed £60,000 towards the costs of hosting the Northern Ireland Snooker Trophy in Belfast and that the Council would pursue funding opportunities, both commercial and within the public sector, in an effort to reduce the £100,000 which would be required to bring the Mosconi Cup to Belfast.  He reminded the Members that approximately £40,000 of that amount would be “expenditure in kind” and would not result in direct costs to the Council. 

            Following a lengthy discussion, the Committee agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            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.

            Following a lengthy discussion, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report regarding the Council’s participation in the Eurocities Annual General Meeting to enable additional information to be obtained regarding the costs of the event.

            (Mr. S. Caldwell, Community Services Area Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director informed the Members that the former Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 3rd August, 2004, had agreed to enter into a Facility Management Agreement with Roden Street Community Development Group in respect of the provision of a new synthetic pitch at Grosvenor Recreation Centre, subject to the necessary funding being obtained.  Subsequently, the Sub?Committee, at its meeting on 11th January, 2005, had agreed to accept an amount of £636,614 from the Big Lottery New Opportunities Fund for Physical Education and Sport towards the cost of providing the pitch.  However, the construction of the facility had been delayed at the request of the Department for Regional Development which required the site on a temporary basis to assist with the scheme to widen and improve the Westlink. 

            She reported that the synthetic pitch at Grosvenor Recreation Centre had recently been completed and, accordingly, the Facility Management Agreement, as agreed by the former Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee, would be initiated.  She pointed out that a copy of the Agreement had previously been circulated to the Committee and that under its terms:

·            the Council would own the pitch;

·            the Roden Street Community Development Group would be responsible for the management of the pitch in accordance with the provisions contained within the Agreement;

·            the Agreement would be in effect for a period of five years and could be renewed for a further period of five years if the Group did not breach the terms of the Agreement; and

·            the Council would pay the Group a Management Fee of £44,000 per annum.

            In response to Members’ questions, the Community Services Area Manager indicated that bookings for the facility would be handled by the Roden Street Community Development Group and that the Group would lodge the fees into the Council’s District Fund Account.  It was anticipated that, when the pitch was operating at full capacity, it should be generating in the region of £60,000 per annum in booking fees, which would mean that the income would be greater than the Management Fee which the Council was paying the Group to operate the facility.  He pointed out that the lifespan of such pitches was in the region of twelve years and that they required little maintenance. 

Noted.

            (Mr. S. Caldwell, Community Services Area Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee was informed that Suffolk Community Centre was a directly?managed facility which was the hub of community activity in the Suffolk area.  The Community Centre Committee had been seeking to improve the services which it provided and had been exploring the possibility of developing a vacant site to the rear of the Centre which was within the facility’s property and was owned by the Council.  The Director indicated that the Centre Committee had been awarded funding of £48,897.50 from Groundwork Northern Ireland to meet the capital costs of providing an interactive outdoor play facility on the site.  As the area would be accessed through the Centre, it would be supervised at all times. 

            She pointed out that, upon completion, the Community Services Section would be responsible for managing and maintaining the play facility, although the Council’s Parks and Leisure Department would actually undertake the maintenance of the site, at a cost of £4,000 per annum, not including the replacement of damaged equipment.  The Parks and Leisure Department would also provide technical advice when the plans for the facility had been prepared.  She pointed out further that, since the proposal had asset implications, it would need to be considered by the Asset Management Group and required the approval of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            During discussion in the matter, a Member pointed out that the Council would be responsible for meeting the costs of maintaining and insuring the facility and enquired as to whether Groundwork had contacted the Council before it had awarded funding to the community group. 

            In reply, the Community Services Area Manager indicated that Groundwork had consulted the Suffolk Community Centre Committee and the Parks and Leisure Department.  He reminded the Committee that, since access to the play facility would be through the Community Centre, it would only be opened when the Centre was open and it was anticipated that vandalism to the facility would be able to be kept to a minimum.

            Following further discussion, the Committee agreed:

(i)    that the Suffolk Community Centre Committee be entitled to construct an interactive play area on a site to the rear of the Centre, subject to all the statutory approvals being obtained and the Council being kept informed of the progress of the development; and

(ii)    to commend the proposal for approval to the Asset Management Group and the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Director informed the Committee that Lions Club International was considering bringing its International Conference to Belfast in April 2011 and had requested financial support from the Council to off-set some of the costs associated with holding the event in the City.  It would be the first time that the organisation had considered bringing its Conference to Belfast and was planning to host the event in Belfast every four or five years.  It had been estimated that the economic benefit of the Lions Club International Conference to Belfast would be £1.3 million and that delegates were expected from North America, Europe, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.  Accordingly, she recommended that, under the terms of the Council’s Subvention Policy, £20,000 be allocated to assist with the costs of the organisation of the Conference.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 16th January, 2008, it had appointed a number of Members, including Councillor Paul Maskey, to the Board of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau.

            The Director informed the Committee that the Sinn Fein Party Grouping had indicated that it wished to appoint Councillor Hartley in place of Councillor Paul Maskey on the Bureau’s Board. 

            The Committee agreed to the change in membership on the Board of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      On 13 June 2007 the Development Committee considered and gave approval for the change management process for the Development Department, which included support from Business Improvement for Departmental restructuring activities. This followed the Council’s approval on 1 November 2006 for interim restructuring across the Council ahead of the Review of Public Administration (RPA) and the associated organisational impact of the transfer of functions on the Development Department.  Structural Reviews were approved in areas of particular need, which included Business Support, Policy and Research, Events, the Waterfront Hall/Ulster Hall merger and Community Services.  The aim of restructuring was to rationalise and release further resources into the process. 

      On 7 October 2008 the Development Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations of the structural reviews as the management side position in order to proceed under the Council’s agreed policies and processes to move to implementation.

      The following report is an update following consultation.

Key Issues

      Policy and Research, Culture and Arts and Events Reviews

      Prior to the original Committee these reviews had been agreed in principle with relevant parties and have now been successfully implemented.  The Policy & Research Unit structure was re?designed and streamlined by bringing together what had been two separate Units.

      The City Events Unit was re-positioned within the Waterfront and Ulster Hall structure, with the Manager reporting directly to the Head of City Events and Venues.  Locating the Unit here allows for the utilisation of the expertise of both sets of staff in organising and co-ordinating events forging close links with the Civic, Sports and Entertainments programmes in the City.

      The Culture and Arts Section merged with the Tourism Unit in order to maximise synergies and fully integrate the Tourism, Culture and Arts activities for the City.  To support this ethos the roles and responsibilities of the managerial posts were reconfigured.

      Markets Review

      A trade union and staff representative group had been established to inform and create the proposed working patterns. This group was pivotal in the creation of realistic and effective working patterns. The working patterns are now agreed and signed off.

      Business Support Review

      With effect from 1 May 2009 all consultations with staff and trade unions have been completed and resulted in the adoption of the management side position put forward to Committee in October 2008.  The structure, as adopted at October Committee, was fully agreed with no structural change.  There were no additional financial implications following consultation.  The implementation of the new structure is now underway in terms of operational implementation and staff implementation through categorisation and agreed council procedures.

      Waterfront/Ulster Hall Review

      At their meeting of 13 March 2009, the Waterfront Hall Management/Trade Union Forum adopted the revised management side position. This new position allows for a minor change to the structure presented to Committee in October 2008,

      This refers to a change in the reporting line for the fixed term post of Education Worker.  This post will now report directly to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

            The Chairman informed the Committee that, given that the Director would be leaving the Council’s service by the end of October and that it was unlikely that her replacement would be in place prior to that date, he believed it would be beneficial for the Committee to meet with senior officers to discuss the Department’s work plans for the coming six months.

            The Director indicated that she would contact the Members in the near future to arrange such a meeting.

Noted.