Agenda and minutes

Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Hendron, Keenan and Ó Donnaghaile. 

The minutes of the meeting of 13th December 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 January, subject to the following:

(i)      the amendment of the minute of the meeting of 4th December under the heading “Routine Matters” to provide that all Members of the Council would be invited to attend the meeting of the Committee on 15th January at which representatives of the University of Ulster would provide a presentation in respect of its proposals for the re?development of its York Street campus; and

(ii)      the amendment of the minute of the meeting of 4th December under the heading “St. Patrick’s Day 2013” to provide that the Council agrees to host a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast in the City Hall to which an invitation to attend would be extended to representatives of the Ullans Academy.

·      In respect of item 5c, viz., Integrated Economic Strategy, Councillor Webb declared an interest in that he was associated with a company which would be bidding for the tender which had been issued as part of the project; and

·      Councillor Ó Muilleoir declared an interest in item 5b, viz., ‘Belfast One City Conference’ in that he was the Managing Director of the Belfast Media Group, which was organising the conference. 

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Maskey,

            Seconded by Councillor Ó Muilleoir,

      That the Committee agrees that its cash limit for the financial year 2013/2014 be set at £19,229,488.

            On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the proposal and seven against and it was declared carried.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting which would outline the steps which could be taken to enhance further the City’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination.

After further discussion, the Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that a meeting be sought with the Minister as outlined.

After discussion, the Committee agreed to purchase a ‘Platinum Business Package’ at a cost of £2,500 and agreed further that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) be authorised to attend the event.

(Councillor Webb left the room whilst this item was under discussion.)

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th September, 2012, it had agreed to establish a Project Steering Group to oversee the implementation of a Council-led Integrated Economic Strategy.  It was reported that, in addition to Council’s contribution of £30,000, officers from within the Department had secured a sum of
£25,000 from Invest NI towards the development of the Strategy and that a tender in this regard had been issued in December. The Director indicated that a draft report on the outcome of this process would be submitted for the Committee’s consideration in due course.

Noted.

The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an overview of the arrangements which had been put in place for the visit in March to Nashville by a Council deputation as part of the Sister City Initiative. 

The Committee agreed to cease Council-led tours for the year 2013; and  

-        agreed an exit strategy with partner-led tours and Late Night Art where appropriate 

-        to invest the existing tour budget into support the collective offer of tours across the city

-        to support the sector to develop/address gaps through business development programmes

-        to provide in-kind support and endorse the Introductory Guiding Course for language students.”

            The Committee agreed that Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee or their nominees participate in the ITLG Event in Cork along with 2 officers.

            The Committee agreed to receive at a future meeting a presentation from representatives of Belfast City Centre Management in respect of its business plan for 2013/2014.

The Committee was reminded that, since the closure of Ballysillan Play Centre in 1998, the Council had leased facilities within the independently-owned Benview Community Centre to deliver a range of play service development projects in that area. It was reported that the licence agreement for the Council’s use of the facility was due to be renewed at a cost of £6,038.35, which would cover the period from 1st July, 2012 till 1st January, 2014. 

The Committee agreed to the payment of £6,038.35 to extend the licence agreement, subject to approval by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in accordance with Standing Order 46 and subject also to the drawing-up of an appropriate legal agreement.

            The Committee was reminded that the Pride of Place Cities Competition provided community groups from throughout Ireland with an opportunity to showcase initiatives which would have a lasting and positive impact upon their communities.  The Community Services Manager reminded the Committee that the Council had been awarded Best Local Authority in the 2012 awards ceremony and over the years had enjoyed success in all categories.  Accordingly, the Director recommended that, to mark the 10th anniversary of the awards, and in recognition of the achievements of previous Belfast-based award winners, a celebratory dinner, which would be hosted by the Lord Mayor, be held in the City Hall in February. It was reported that the costs associated with the dinner would be approximately £1,500.

            The Committee agreed to contribute £1,500 towards the costs associated with the celebratory dinner.

The Committee noted the progress which had been achieved to date in the development of a Community Development Toolkit which would provide educational, training and resource guidance to groups working in the community sector.

            The Committee was advised that a request had been received from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions to host a meeting of its Secretaries General and Directors in the City Hall in April.  The Director outlined the benefits which the City would accrue in hosting the event and outlined the range of delegates who would be attending the meeting.  He gave an overview of the networking opportunities which would be afforded in hosting the event and reported that the costs associated with providing catering for the delegates would be £1,000.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to host the meeting; authorised the attendance thereat of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) and authorised expenditure in the sum of £1,000 towards catering.