Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors B. Kelly, McCausland and Rodway.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Introduction 

      In the last ten years, Belfast has built a strong reputation for hosting major events, the visit of the Tall Ships in August 2009 being the latest, and perhaps most successful major event to be hosted by the City.

      Other notable major events include the World Irish Dancing Championships, the World Amateur Boxing Championships, the U19 European football Championships, the Special Olympics Ireland Games, the Women’s World Open Squash Championships and the U-19 Rugby World Cup.

      A considerable factor in the success of all these events has been the support of Belfast City Council and the ability of the Council to manage and operate key partnerships to deliver these major events.

      As members are aware, the World Police and Firefighter Games (WPRG) are coming to Belfast in 2013.  The Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Prison Service will host approximately 10,000 law-enforcement officers and fire-fighters from around the world who will compete in a wide variety of sporting events.

Relevant Background Information

      World Police and Fire Games 2013

      In September 2007 the Council agreed to be one of the key stakeholders for the World Police and Firefighter Games (WPFG), which will be staged in Belfast and Northern Ireland in the summer of 2013.  The Council’s commitment of £400,000 is part of a £7 million events budget which is subject to a full robust business plan from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure being approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).  The games are the third largest multi-sport event in the world and takes place biennially.  It is expected that the 2013 Games will attract in excess of 10,000 competitors, which will generate many thousands of bed nights for Belfast and a substantial level of economic activity for the City.

      The World Police and Firefighter Games (WPFG) is a bi-annual multi-sports tournament promoted by the WPFG Federation.  In recent years, the Games has attracted circa 10,000 – 14,000 competitors, from over 71 countries, competing in 65 sports over a 10 day period.  Those eligible to compete are serving and retired sworn offices of the state including:

·         Police, Fire and Prison Officers;

·         Customs and Excise Staff; and

·         Coastguard Services.

      The Games are awarded on a ‘franchise basis’ following a competitive process, which in 2007 Belfast won the rights to host it in 2013.

      The previous host cities are as follows:-

      The WPFG became international when in 1989 they took place in Vancouver, Canada.  Ten years after first being presented, the WPFG left  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

      Resolved – That, in accordance with Standing Order 12, the foregoing minutes be submitted to the Council for adoption at its meeting on 1st November.