Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors M. Campbell and Ekin.

            The minutes of the meetings of 16th, 24th and 28th March were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 4th April, subject to:

(i)                  the omission of the minute of 28th March under the heading “Belfast City Council Framework to Tackle Poverty and Reduce Inequalities” which, at the request of Councillor McKee, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration;

(ii)                the amendment of the minute of 28th March under the heading “Employability Support – Proposals Received” to provide that Councillor Jones be removed from the list of those Members who had voted to accept the proposal and replaced by Councillor Groves; and

(iii)               the amendment of the minute of 28th March to include approval for the submission of the response to the consultation regarding the provision of local generalist advice.

            The Democratic Services Officer circulated, for the attention of the Members, correspondence which had been received from the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service regarding a proposed increase in the charges applied to both on-street and off-street car parking.  In addition, the correspondence outlined the intention of the Roads Service to designate a number of additional streets as areas where car parking charges would apply.

Noted.

            It was reported that correspondence had been received on behalf of Invest NI requesting permission to make a presentation to the Committee at a future date. The Democratic Services Officer advised the Members that the purpose of the presentation would be to update the Council on the work of Invest NI and to explore areas for future collaboration between both organisations.

            The Committee agreed that a special meeting be held to receive a presentation from Invest NI on a date to be determined by the incoming Chairman.

            The Democratic Services Officer reported that the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service had requested permission to update the Committee on the modifications which had been carried out at the York Street / Westlink Interchange.

            The Committee agreed to receive a presentation in this regard at a special meeting, to which all Members of the Council would be invited, to be held on a date to be agreed in conjunction with the incoming Chairman.

            A number of Members referred to the lengthy agenda which the Committee was to consider at the meeting and, given that the number of reports presented had increased significantly over the past number of months, it was suggested that the Members might wish to consider holding a second scheduled meeting each month when the Committee was reconstituted after the Local Government Elections.

            In response, the Director undertook to consider the matter and submit a report in this regard to the Committee at its meeting in June.

(to consider further the minute of the meeting of 28^th March under the heading ‘Belfast City Council Framework to Tackle Poverty and Reduce Inequalities’ which, at the request of Councillor McKee, was sent back for further consideration by the Committee at the meeting of Council on 4^th April.)

            The Committee considered further the minute of the meeting of 28th March in relation to the Council’s Framework to Tackle Poverty and Reduce Inequalities.

            Councillor McKee, who had requested that the matter be referred back to the Committee, indicated that the Democratic Unionist Party wished to consider further the contents of the Framework.  He suggested that, in order to seek an All-Party consensus on the proposals, a workshop, to which all Members of the Council be invited, might be held prior to the Framework being reconsidered by the Committee in June.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that the matter be deferred until the Committee’s meeting in June to enable a workshop to be held during the interim period.

            Due to the lengthy agenda, the Committee agreed to defer, until its meeting in June, consideration of the Development Departmental Plan for 2011/2012.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1  Relevant Background Information

1.1              Introduction to Renewing the Routes Programme

            The Renewing the Routes Programme is an innovative regeneration intervention that targets arterial routes and surrounding communities within Belfast. Since 2004 the Programme has facilitated the investment of approximately £6 million across the key routes. This investment has acted as a catalyst for the delivery of a range of projects which were implemented over the programme period including: over 400 commercial frontage improvements; lighting schemes; environmental improvements; public realm work; public art projects; community arts projects; landscaping; alleygating schemes; installation of tourism blades; façade cleaning and improvements to existing railings.

1.2       In July 2010, Council agreed to carry forward the proposed £300,000 budget for arterial routes improvement projects into 2011/12, to allow for the detailed analysis and prioritisation of proposed activity across all 18 designated arterial routes.

1.2              Future Renewing the Routes Programme

            The Committee endorsed a methodology to prioritise the arterial routes which was developed on the basis of securing a longer-term rolling programme of local regeneration activity across the city. The survey of approximately 9,000 buildings and sites covering 62km of arterial routes is now complete for all arterial routes and the draft findings
have been presented to Members at a series of party briefings, as agreed at Committee. The feedback from Members supported the strategic consideration of these areas and is incorporated into the report.

1.4       Potential broader local regeneration activity

            The Committee also approved the consideration of the potential for a framework which would allow Council to consider the scope for additional activity beyond that proposed for prioritised arterial route areas. This also formed part of the discussions with Members at the party briefings and the feedback is shown in this report.

2          Key Issues

2.1       Review of Activity

            During the party briefings Members expressed support for the works carried out under the programme which had already achieved transformations along parts of the key arterial routes and the potential for the continuation of this activity alongside the introduction of additional targeted local regeneration activity.

2.2       Arterial Routes Core Programme

            The detailed arterial routes analysis was presented to Members at party group briefings. The sessions generated detailed area-specific comments and queries in addition to the general feedback, which is summarised below:

-     the process of assessment was supported in terms of how it contributed to the local context of each arterial route;

-     a number of the groups suggested that the physical improvement focus of the work should be reflected in the data by emphasising the potential for the activity to transform an area’s visual appearance;

-     it was also suggested that the programme should be steered by important local factors such as complementarity with other activity; local neighbourhood focus or role; and the potential viability of what Renewing the Routes can achieve in targeted areas.

-     As part of the prioritisation/survey process, and following discussions with members, it was felt that the past omission of Sandy Row from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1    Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the Belfast City Council’s (BCC) (10 year) lease for the existing Welcome Centre premises on Donegall Place terminated on 31 July 2010.

1.2       The landlord had served a Landlord’s Notice under the Business Tenancies (NI) Order 1996 notice on BCC proposing a new lease for a further ten years from 1 August 2010 at the existing rent of £160,000 p.a (subject to 5 yearly reviews).  BCC, as tenant, subsequently applied to the Lands Tribunal for an order of grant of tenancy for one year from 1 August 2010 and month to month thereafter at a rent of £160,000 p.a. The application was made to the Tribunal as it was not possible to agree the term of the new lease with the Landlord, who had been insisting on a 10 year Lease Term.  The length of term requested by BCC reflects the ongoing work around a potential relocation of BVCB and BWC.

            At the Development Committee meeting on 22 February 2011 Members were advised that the Lands Tribunal had set the 25 March 2011 as the hearing date for BelfastCity Council’s lease renewal application.  Members were also advised that

            the landlord’s position at that stage was they would accept no less than a five year Lease Term on lease renewal at the existing rent.  The hearing did not happen on this date as the Lands Tribunal agreed to have a further Mention on 31 March 2011 in order to give both the Landlord and BCC further time to negotiate and prepare evidence.

1.4       The Development Committee on 22 February 2011 had also agreed to the development of a full business case for options associated with the relocation of the Welcome Centre, subject to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreeing that the project be included within the Capital Programme.  At full Council on 1 March 2011 it was agreed that further sites within the City be included as options for the relocation of the Welcome Centre.

1.5       The development of a full business case for the relocation of Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau and Belfast Welcome Centre was considered at the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 18 March 2011.  The Committee were also updated on the position in relation to the renewal of the existing lease.  Members were advised that if agreement could not be reached between the parties there was no guarantee that the Lands Tribunal would award a Lease Term shorter than that proposed by the Landlord.  Further, that whilst the Council had applied for a new one year lease (and monthly thereafter) from 1 August 2010, given that the programme for any relocation was likely to extend beyond August 2011, it was proposed that Council officers would seek to try and reach agreement on a new Lease Term of 3 years from August 2010 or alternatively a 5 year lease with a break option at the end of Year 3.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.         Relevant Background Information

1.1       Lagan Gateway Project

            Members will be aware that in 2006 an offer of £1million funding was made available to Council by Ulster Garden Villages Limited (UGV) towards the reopening of the Lagan gateway Lock 1 at Stranmillis, on the basis that match funding would be available.

1.2       Ulster Garden Villages initially supported the Council by providing funding of £50,000 from the £1 million offer, to establish the Lagan Corridor Officer post within the Development Department.

1.3       A letter has been received from UGV to establish BelfastCity Council’s intention to proceed with its proposal to develop the Lagan Corridor.  The letter highlighted the decision of the Board of UGV to reallocate the £1m funding to other projects in Northern Ireland unless the Council was in a position to confirm the scale of its contribution to the project by 31 March 2011.

1.4       Members will be aware that at the February 2011 Development Committee it was recommended that The Director of Development meets with Mr Tony Hopkins Chair of Ulster Garden Villages and Mr Erskine Holmes Board Director, to discuss the future of the £1million offer towards the development of the Lagan gateway Lock 1 at Stranmillis.  The Director was seeking an extension to the time period granted by UGV, which would allow consideration of the prioritisation of the overall project.  A meeting was held on 16 March 2011.

1.5       Lagan Canal Restoration Trust

            In November 2006 Members approved the establishment of the LaganCanal Restoration Trust and in 2008 the core funding bodies appointed a manager whose remit was to set up the Trust.

1.6       The Trust currently represents the following core funding bodies including; Belfast City Council, Lisburn City Council, Castlereagh Borough Council, Craigavon Borough Council, DCAL and Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).  Other Trust stakeholders include; DSD, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), Ulster Waterways Group (UWG) , Lagan Valley Regional Park and a number of public stakeholders.

1.7       In August 2009 Development Committee committed funding to the Trust until March 2011 and the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Development Committee were appointed as Belfast City Council representatives on the Trust Board.  The Board is a not for profit company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

1.8       Over the previous three year period Council has contributed core funding of £50,500 to the Trust.  The Trust is now seeking the same level of funding from Council for the next three year period from 2011/12-2013/14.

1.9       With the exception of NIEA all of the key funders have committed to fund the Trust for the next three years; Lisburn City Council £112,200, DCAL £56,100, Craigavon Borough Council £22,500, and Castlereagh £11,200. 

1.10     A number of key impact reports are currently being undertaken by the Trust, namely, a Business Case and Funding Strategy from Belfast to Lough Neagh and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Lagan Corridor from Belfast to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

            (Councillors Lavery and Mullaghan declared an interest in this matter in that they were Members of the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners and took no part in the discussion.)

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 15th February, it had been advised that the HMS Caroline, which had been docked in Belfast Harbour since 1924, would be decommissioned on 31st March, 2011, and then transferred to the National Museum of the Royal Navy.  Given the considerable historical significance of the ship to the maritime heritage of Belfast, it had been agreed that officers within the Department would seek, in the interim period, to secure the ship in the City until the end of 2012, when the long-term viability of keeping the vessel in Belfast could be assessed.  This would be subject to clarification of a number of issues, including the following:

(i)         that the Committee be apprised of the outcome of an economic appraisal of the ship which was being undertaken on behalf of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, together with the consideration of an associated report by the Strategic Investment Board;

(ii)        that clarification be received on the estimated costs to the Council of keeping the ship in Belfast until the end of 2012, and that those costs be deemed reasonable; and

(iii)       that funding be secured from the Royal Navy towards the costs associated with keeping the ship in Belfast until the end of 2012, together with an indication from other statutory bodies and agencies in respect of funding which they might contribute towards the costs of this extension.

            The Director of Development informed the Members that he had met with representatives of the Royal Navy in this regard.  At that meeting, he had pointed out that the Council could not commit financially to the proposal to keep the ship in Belfast until it had considered the current outcome of, amongst other things, the economic appraisal being undertaken on behalf of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.  The Director had suggested also, given that the Council was just one of many potential stakeholders in the project, that a lead agency should be appointed by central government to oversee the proposals to retain the ship in the City.  Therefore, the Royal Navy had agreed to defer, until the end of September, consideration of the matter.  However, the Director reported that the representatives from the Royal Navy had requested that, in the interim period, a request could be made by the Council to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners asking that the docking fees for the HMS Caroline be waived until the end of September, 2011. 

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that a letter be forwarded, on behalf of the Council, to the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners requesting that the docking fees chargeable to the HMS Caroline be waived until the end of September, 2011.  In addition, the Committee authorised officers within the Department to continue discussions with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the new Integrated Strategic Framework for Belfast Tourism 2010-2015 identifies high profile events and festivals as a development lever to establish a strong reputation as a vibrant capital city with unique and exciting experiences that, once visited and enjoyed, will compel return visits time and time again.  The strategy’s new product development highlights that music tourism should be developed, packaged and promoted as an authentic experience to ensure that Belfast has a competitive edge.

1.2       The Music Tourism Action Plan approved by Members in order to celebrate Belfast’s rich musical heritage included a series of products such as the Belfast Music Coach Tour, the Belfast Music Exhibition, a new music listings website

            Belfastmusic.org, the first ever i-phone application for music.  The plan was significantly enhanced through the successful application to Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s (NITB’s) Tourism Innovation Fund which contributed a further £138,750 and new partnerships that have been formed with Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), BBC and Tourism Ireland Ltd (TIL).  A report ‘Exploring the Music Festival Tourism Market’ commissioned by NITB using Mintel, highlighted that music is a key part of our cultural offering, and foreign and domestic tourists now spend in excess of £100 million on cultural and recreational events in NI each year and domestic tourists spending over £32 million on tickets to concerts and music festivals. Tourism Ireland launched their 2011 Marketing Plans in Belfast and identified Music Tourism as a key driver for Belfast.

1.3       At a Development Committee Meeting on 9 March 2010, Members approved the delivery of a Belfast Music Week 2010, in partnership with DETI, ACNI, NITB and TIL.  Music Week aimed to promote Belfast as a world-class music destination and a place which has a new, modern and exciting future.  It concentrated on the promotion of our indigenous musicians to show our rich musical heritage, thriving contemporary musical scene and promoted and highlighted our distinctiveness.

1.4       The event offered the opportunity to leverage an internationally recognized brand through MTV and meant that Belfast local scene could target demographics both internationally and locally that we have not had the opportunity to reach before. This was key to developing the youth market, especially in terms of Europe and easily reaching an international market with an event of international stand out appeal

2          Key Issues

2.1       The Tourism, Culture and Arts Unit co-ordinated venues, promoters, publicly funded organisations and the hospitality sector to deliver 100 live music events in 8 days in over 50 venues across Belfast.  A summary of outputs are as follows:

-     63,320 people attended live music events from 12?19 September 2010

-     Belfast Music Week generated income of £1,185,000 for Belfast

-     Positive (Northern Ireland) media coverage equated to £244,618 in advertising spend generated through local communications activity.

-     Positive (National and International) media coverage equated to  €1,555,960 in advertising spend

2.2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 15th February, it had agreed to contribute a sum of £10,000 towards the costs of creating a post of Manifesta Bid Co-ordinator who would work with a wide range of organisations to oversee the preparation of a joint bid for Belfast and Derry City Councils to host Manifesta X in 2014.  Accordingly, the Director of Development reported that correspondence had been received from the Manifesta Bid Co-ordinator requesting that the Committee endorse a ‘Letter of Intent’ which would confirm the Council’s prospective candidature, in conjunction with Derry City Council, to host the exhibition in 2014.

            It was pointed out that, should the joint bid by Belfast and Derry City Councils be successful, the joint hosts would be required to commit a minimum budget of €3,000,000, together with a Transfer Fee of €400,000, towards the event.  However, the Director advised the Committee that he had emphasised to the organisers of Manifesta X that the Council would not be prepared to submit a formal bid unless it was convinced that such a move would be affordable and would provide commensurate benefit to the City.  He assured the Members that the signing of the ‘Letter of Intent’ would not commit the Council to any financial commitment other than the previously agreed £10,000.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to endorse the ‘Letter of Intent’ and noted that further progress reports would be submitted in due course.

            The Committee considered the City Events Action Plan and agreed that the City Events Unit commence a process of consultation on its contents with the Party Groups on the Council, prior to it being issued for public consultation.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that the Council’s Development and Outreach Initiative Grants were designed to build capacity and to boost cultural activity within communities which required additional culture and arts development.  She advised the Committee that a budget of £165,000 had been established for the 2011/2012 financial year.  However, twenty-three applications requesting funding of £394,968.94 had been received.  Due to the high standard of the submissions, only those projects scoring over 60% had been recommended for assistance.

            Accordingly, following the application and assessment process, it was recommended that the following awards be made:

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.

            The Committee was reminded that community development work within Belfast was undertaken by a range of statutory bodies and organisations, including the Council.  The Director of Development stated that the Department for Social Development, which had an overarching remit in this regard, had indicated that it wished to review the manner in which community development and infrastructure services were delivered across the City.  Accordingly, it was reported that the Department for Social Development had proposed that both a steering group, on which the Director of Development would represent the Council, and a working group, on which the Strategic Neighbourhood Action Plan Manager and the Community Services Manager would represent the Council, be established to oversee this review.

            After discussion, during which the Committee noted that a process of community consultation would be initiated to assist in this work, it was agreed that the aforementioned officers be authorised to participate respectively on both the steering and working groups and that further reports on the progress of the Review would be submitted in due course.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 11th August, 2010, it had agreed that a sum of £120,000 be allocated for the design, production and erection of approximately 200 Belfast Welcome Banners at a number of sites throughout the City. The banners would assist in the promotion of the series of events to be held throughout 2012 and beyond, and would be erected on a seasonal basis on arterial routes. At its meeting on 16th March, the Committee had agreed, given that there had been a delay in the commencement of the project, that £100,000 be transferred prior to the end of the financial year to the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau to enable it to deliver the project on the Council’s behalf. 

The Director reported that work on the design of the banners was at an advanced stage and, accordingly, the Committee was presented with a report containing draft images of the proposed banners, together with a map outlining the locations where they would be erected. The Director informed the Committee that the consultants commissioned to develop the banners had used the theme ‘Patterns of the City’ to assist them in producing their portfolio.  He added that the banners had been designed specifically to enable them to be adaptable and that, after a period of public consultation, they would be erected in May, 2011.

After discussion, the Committee endorsed the designs for the banners as submitted and agreed that the Department would undertake a public consultation exercise prior to their erection.  It was noted that, should any additional funding become available, the Committee would be consulted with a view to identifying additional locations for the erection of further banners.

            The Committee was reminded that the Health and Environmental Services Department had undertaken a pilot initiative which sought to encourage owners of dilapidated properties across the City to upgrade or demolish such buildings.  As part of that initiative, that Department had contacted the Tourism, Culture and Arts Unit regarding the possibility of commissioning an artwork on hoardings at 155 Lisburn Road and at 173-175 Lisburn Road.  Given that the Lisburn Road was considered to be one of the premier independent retail areas of the City, it was suggested that this initiative would enhance considerably the amenity of the area and that it was envisaged that a Steering Group, consisting of representatives from the retail and community sectors, would be appointed to brief an artist on an appropriate design for the artwork.

            After discussion, during which the Committee approved the allocation of a sum of £6,000 towards the project, it was agreed that a suitable artist be appointed to undertake this work.

            The Committee was informed that the Council had submitted a number of applications in various categories for the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards, which would be hosted by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and which were due to take place on 26th May at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Belfast.  The Director of Development reported that, whilst shortlisting had not been completed by the Tourist Board, the Council’s applications had included the Belfast Music Week, the Great Belfast Food Initiative, Belfast Zoo and the Belfast City Hall.  The awards ceremony was a significant event for tourism and hospitality in Northern Ireland and it was suggested that it was important that the Council be represented thereat.  Accordingly, it was recommended that the Council reserve a table for ten persons at the event, at a cost of £675, for the incoming Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees), together with the appropriate officers and invited guests.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1         Relevant Background Information

            Background

1.1       Through its Community Support programme the Department for Social Development (DSD) part funds the Community Services activity of all of Northern Ireland’s local authorities : ‘…to strengthen local communities, increase community participation and promote social inclusion through the stimulation and support of community groups, community activity and local advice services.’

1.2       To be eligible for funding a local authority must prepare a community support plan (CSP) which details how it will deliver services in support of this aim. The council’s previous submissions have included an analysis of local need; an examination of the corporate and departmental context within which the work of Community Services is shaped and prioritised; and detail of the objectives, supporting activity, and performance measures associated with the plan.

1.3       DSD made £3,435,293 available to support BelfastCity Council’s plan for the period 2008 to 2010 and a further £1,584,286 for the period 2010 to 2011. This represents a contribution of approximately 23% to the Community Services total annual budget.

2          Key Issues

2.1       The council has been awaiting confirmation from DSD that the Community Support programme would continue post 2011 and the related guidance to inform the nature of the required submission. 

2.2       DSD have now confirmed they hope to issue contracts to local government for the CSP 2011/12 in advance of April 2011 and that the contracts will outline the level of funding for that annual period and the conditions which will include:

-    Submission of monitoring returns on the plan for the period 2010 to 2011

-    An outline action plan for 2011 to 2012

-    Budget estimates for 2011 to 2012

            The service will be in a position to meet these requirements subsequent to formal sign of the departmental business plans.

2.3       Members will be aware that Community Services are leading on the development of a Community Development strategy for the council which will lead to a shared model of community development in Belfast, a clearer articulation of community development goals for the city and clarity around roles and responsibilities.  The vision is that a well designed community development strategy will support council in the achievement of the new corporate plan which places great

            importance on the relationship between the council, its stakeholders, and the communities it serves in contributing to the quality of life of people in the city.

2.4       This work is nearing completion and the final draft is scheduled for presentation to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in June in advance of a public consultation exercise.  The community development strategy is based on a three year time period 2011 to 2014 in line with the timeframe with the corporate plan.

2.5       While community development work is delivered by the whole of council, Community Services provides both some of the main functions of community development and they can also support the contributions of other departments.  The community development strategy will obviously inform the work of the service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

            The Committee was advised that the Pride of Place Cities Competition provided Community Groups from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland an opportunity to showcase initiatives which would have a lasting and positive impact upon their communities.  Since 2004, the Council had sponsored, with considerable success, the participation of several groups in the Competition.  The 2011 Pride of Place Cities Competition permitted a maximum of six entries per Council, subject to defined categories and rules.  Accordingly, the following four groups had been identified by the Council as being suitable for entry in this year’s competition:

·         Upper Springfield Community Sports Development Unit – which worked to develop an inclusive community sports’ programme to provide increased opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity;

·         Finaghy Crossroads Project – which sought to promote personal safety within the Finaghy area and worked to encourage good relations through the advancement of equality, respect and diversity;

·         Heart Project in the Community Health Initiative – this project aimed to improve the physical and mental well-being of people within the Falls District of Belfast by tackling, in conjunction with a range of agencies, the key causes and effects of stress; and

·         Donegall Pass Community Forum – which aimed to develop the Forum as an effective network for community groups and others working for the benefit of the area.  It aimed also to raise awareness of the needs of that community and to attract investment and resources.

            It was reported that the cost of entry, per project, was £500 and this year’s awards ceremony would be held in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath, on a date to be confirmed in November.

            After discussion, the Committee approved the entry of the four groups as outlined and approved also the attendance of the incoming Chairman, the incoming Deputy Chairman and the Director of Development (or their nominees), together with a maximum of three persons per external project at the ceremony, and authorised the payment of the competition entrance fees, travelling, accommodation and subsistence allowances in connection therewith.

            The Committee was reminded that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 7th August, 2009, had agreed that the Council would subscribe to the Leisurewatch Scheme.  It was reported that the Scheme aimed ‘to improve public protection by finding creative and practical multi-agency solutions to the problems of sexual offending’. Accordingly, the Scheme had enabled the Council to provide training for staff to raise their awareness of adults who may seek to use public facilities, such as leisure centres, to gain access to young people. In addition, the Scheme had overseen the establishment, in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, of an official protocol whereby concerns reported by staff were acted upon promptly.

            The Director of Development indicated that the Scheme complemented the Council’s existing Child Protection Policy.  An independent assessment of the Council’s leisure and community facilities had reported that they were ‘very well managed and controlled’ and that the Council had invested significantly in training for staff and volunteers to achieve a high level of safety.  Accordingly, the Committee was requested to authorise the payment of £6,700 for the renewal of the Council’s membership of the Leisurewatch Scheme for 2011. It was pointed out that continued membership of the Scheme would enable additional staff training to be provided and to permit also the formulation of guidelines for external contractors working in Council properties. It was noted that these draft guidelines would, in turn, be presented to the Council’s Chief Officers’ Management Team for its consideration.  

            The Committee granted the authority sought.

            The Committee was apprised of the changes which had been implemented to the Council’s Play Service in 2010 and was advised that a delegation from the International Play Association was due to visit Belfast and Northern Ireland as part of a study tour prior to its Conference which would take place in Cardiff in early July.  The Director of Development pointed out that the visit of the international delegation to Belfast on 30th June would provide the Council with an opportunity to showcase its play initiatives and enable officers to network with the participants.  He reported that, whilst the participants would be responsible for organising their own transport to and from Belfast and for their accommodation, the Council would be providing transport for a study tour throughout the City and also hospitality at a post tour networking event.  He indicated that the costs associated with this would be in the region of £2,000, provision for which had been made within the Play Service budget.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the information which had been provided in relation to Play Service activity in 2010 and granted approval for the expenditure as outlined in relation to the hosting of the international delegation on 30th June.

            The Committee was advised that the Council had been requested to respond to the Department for Regional Development’s Proposed Framework for Spatial Strategies on the island of Ireland.  It was reported that the Framework sought to address a number of key planning challenges facing both parts of the island and to explore also the potential for future collaboration in spatial planning.  The Committee was informed that the Framework contained four key aspects, as set out hereunder:

·          Equipping the Island – which dealt with major infrastructures such as energy and communications networks, ports and airports;

·          Competitive Places – which dealt with the linkages and co-ordination between key locations within the island;

·          Environmental Quality – which dealt with the conservation and enhancement of shared natural and cultural heritage assets, particularly in relation to water quality, habitats, archaeology and architectural heritage; and

·          Spatial Analysis – which dealt with the gathering of data on common trends, harmonising and integrating key datasets, such as population, employment, transportation, housing, retailing and environmental indicators.

            Accordingly, the Committee endorsed the undernoted response to the Department for Regional Development’s proposed framework:

“1.1        Overall comments

1.1.1.     While we have some concerns about the contents of the draft Framework we would like to say that we welcome this initiative and are in support of efforts to improve coordination and cooperation in spatial planning. We are therefore broadly in support of the aims of the framework, especially where it can provide mutual economic advantage such as in transport links, tourism, energy supply etc. The Council is already actively involved in a number of regional collaborative projects and will continue to support this approach.

1.1.2.     For example, Belfast City Council (BCC) is an active member of the COMET (COuncils of the METropolitan region) and through this, also engages in the Interreg IVA cross border programme. Recent activities have involved cross border network groups, showcasing collaborative working, meeting MEP to discuss the areas needs, hosting visits and conferences on subjects such as successful trans-national working. We will continue to work on regional collaborative projects in areas such as creative enterprise education and development, supporting young entrepreneurs, local procurement, supply chain opportunities and innovation.

1.1.3.     However, we are concerned that the framework document, its analysis and resulting conclusions are almost entirely based on the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) for the Belfast area. You will be aware that the RDS has only recently been out for consultation and hence can not yet have been finalised. We do not think it appropriate to base this framework on a significant but unfinished strategy document.

1.1.4.     At the time of writing BCC’s response to the draft consultation on the RDS is still being finalised but we should be able to provide a copy to you in April. Initial work on our Belfast Masterplan reveals several significant concerns about the assumptions and direction of the RDS. An initial overview of these concerns is provided in the following paragraphs. Until these concerns are adequately considered and appropriate amendments made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       PPS 23 & 24

            The Minister for Environment launched two new draft planning policies aimed at managing sustainable economic development on 17 January 2011.

1.2       Draft PPS23 seeks to put in place policy for assessing proposals for enabling development. The document states that ‘Enabling development’ is a development proposal that is contrary to established planning policy and in its own right would not be permitted. Such a proposal may be allowed where it will secure a proposal for the long term future of a place of heritage significance, or scheme of significant regional or sub regional public benefit and may also be acceptable to secure the future of non listed buildings of local significance.

1.3       Draft PPS 24 is intended to provide guidance on the weight to be accorded to economic considerations in the making of planning decisions. Policy EC1 states ‘Full account shall be taken of the economic implications of a planning proposal, including the wider implications to the regional and local economy, alongside social and environmental aspects in so far as they are material considerations in the determination of planning application to which they relate’.

1.4       The Draft goes on to state that where the ‘economic implications of a proposal are significant, substantial weight shall be afforded to them in the determination of that planning application. In such cases, substantial weight can mean determinative weight.’

1.5       Regional Transportation Strategy Review

            The Minister for Regional Development launched the public consultation of the revised Regional Transportation Strategy for a 15 week period on the 16 March until 28 June 2011.

1.6       The current Regional Transportation Strategy 2001 – 2012 was used to secure public funding for transport infrastructure projects throughout the region. The revised Strategy aims to build on what has been achieved and summarise the current transportation position for the region.

1.7       The revised strategy seeks to set high level aims and strategic objectives for transport in the region that will form the basis for future decision making and funding priorities. The stated objective is to move towards greater sustainability which will contribute positively to growing the economy, improving the quality of life for all and reducing transport impacts on the environment.

2          Key Issues

2.1       The key issue in PPS 23 is the justification outlined under the Policy ED1 Enabling Development. It refers to development that would normally be refused, having regard to prevailing planning policy, but could be exceptionally permitted in order to protect heritage assets or secure regional or sub regional public benefit. There is concern that Draft PPS 23, in its current format, could be exploited to enable contentious development proposals other than heritage schemes to be permitted under the guise of public benefit. 

2.2       The key issues for Draft PPS 24 is the wording with the use of the term ‘determinative weight’ and the absence of guidance or justification for such a broad policy. The policy unfairly heightens the material influence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided details of projects awarded funding under the Rolling Programme and the Community Festivals Fund by the Director of Development in accordance with the authority delegated to him.

            The Committee was advised that the above-mentioned item had been withdrawn from the agenda and that the Town Planning Committee, at its meeting on 7th April, had considered the matter.

            The Committee was reminded that first New York/New Belfast Conference had taken place in New York in June, 2010, and that a follow-up conference was scheduled to take place there in June, 2011. The Director of Development reported that the Council had been requested to consider whether it wished to be represented at the 2011 Conference and he provided an outline of the programme and the main speakers at the event.

            The Director pointed out that the Conference would provide an opportunity for the Council to engage with a range of representatives from key organisations within the United States of America which promoted economic regeneration and business growth.  The programme would focus particularly on promoting linkages between both cities and was organised by a range of organisations, including Fordham University, Continental Airlines, Tourism Ireland and Titanic Quarter. The Conference would also enable networking to be carried out through a series of workshops which would provide an opportunity for the Council to address some of the issues raised during the recent ‘State of the City’ workshops. Accordingly, the Director reported that the Council had been requested to provide sponsorship for the conference. This would be in the sum of £3,000 and would provide the Council with an opportunity to make a presentation at one of the sessions, together with securing two delegate places.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to provide sponsorship for the New York/New Belfast Conference at the cost of £3,000, and that the incoming Chairman and the incoming Deputy Chairman (or their nominees), together with two officers, be authorised to attend.  In addition, it was agreed that the total cost to the Council, including travel, subsistence and accommodation costs would not exceed £9,000.

            The Committee was advised that, at the Council meeting on 4th April, the undernoted Notice of Motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Mullaghan and seconded by Councillor N. Kelly, had, in accordance with Standing Order 11e, been referred to the Committee for consideration:

      “This Council recognises the major opportunities which will arise in 2013 out of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the award by King James I of the charter which established the town of Belfast.

      There is substantial interest in the story of Belfast’s growth from humble beginnings to a major European city and the development of a distinct ‘Belfast Story’ would serve as a focus for the promotion of the city. The ‘Story’ should include a wide range of information on a number of topics about Belfast including its industrial past; its social, cultural and political history; emigration, migration from rural areas and overseas links; innovation and enterprise; and sport to name but a few and, of course, the ‘Story’ continues to develop.

      It is to be hoped that the development of a distinct ‘Belfast Story’ would serve as a tourist attraction in its own right as well as acting as a gateway to point visitors to explore the themes more fully across the city.”

            Accordingly, Councillor Mullaghan requested that the Department undertake to investigate the feasibility of developing a ‘Belfast Story’ and that a report, which would outline the Committee’s options in this regard, be submitted for consideration at a future date.

            The Committee agreed that a report in this regard be submitted in due course.