Agenda and minutes

Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors McNamee and O’Neill.

The minutes of the meetings of 12th and 15th November were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd December, subject to the undernoted amendments:

(i)            the amendment of the minute of 12th November under the heading “Proposed Redevelopment of Windsor Park” to provide that monthly progress reports be submitted for the Committee’s consideration; and

(ii)           the amendment of the minute of the meeting of 15th November under the heading “Suffolk Football Club” to provide that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee be requested to include, within its Capital Programme’s list of uncommitted programmes, provision for a two-room changing pavilion and meeting area at the Suffolk Playing Fields.       

No declarations of interest were reported.

The Committee endorsed a schedule of Committee meetings for 2013, details of which were available on the Modern.gov website.

            The Committee noted a schedule of Support for Sport applications in relation to hospitality grants which had been approved by the Director of Parks and Leisure in accordance with the authority delegated to him. 

The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee’s approved, subject to the findings of the further feasibility study and the outcome of negotiations on the associated terms, to commission suitably qualified experts to undertake a Tier 2 study of the proposed site.

The Committee agreed that officers would continue discussions with Ulster GAA to finalise the terms for an appropriate Joint Management Board to cover the pitches which are to be partly funded by the GAA.

The Committee note the contents of a report which provided an update in respect of the progress which had been achieved in respect of the Departmental Plan for 2012/2013 during the period from 1st April till 30th September, 2012.

The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an update on the formal consultation exercise which had been carried out in relation to the Council’s Growing Communities Strategy.

The Committee adopted the recommendations as set out within the report, subject to the findings of the consultations with other agencies and local residents being reported to the Committee prior to the implementation stage of the project.  It was agreed also that an evaluation framework would be developed to enable an assessment of the impact of the pilot project to be reported to the Committee on a routine basis.   

            The Committee granted authority for MCD to hold up to 3 concerts at Boucher Road Playing Fields between 19th and 22nd Aug 2013 and the same period in 2014  – the date to be agreed with Council subject to satisfactory terms in line with the above being agreed with the Director of Parks and Leisure and on condition that:

·        the event organisers resolve all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

·        an appropriate legal agreement is completed, to be prepared by the Assistant Chief Executive and Town Solicitor; and

·        the event organisers meet all statutory requirements including entertainment licensing.

It was noted that the Council would undertake to provide additional information to local residents on the possibility of excess noise and disruption occurring as a result of the concerts taking place. 

The Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations, subject to the following, that:

i.    the organisation(s) resolve all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

ii.   appropriate legal agreements are completed, by the Assistant Chief Executive and Town Solicitor; and

iii.   the organisation(s) meets all appropriate statutory requirements including health and safety.   

The Committee agreed to provide financial support to the Lagan Valley Regional Park for a further three years and the funding agreement be updated accordingly.

The Committee agree that, upon receipt of the revised letter of offer from HLF a contribution of £35,593 ‘in-kind’ be made to the project during the financial period 2012 to 2014 in order to fulfil our obligation to the programme.

            The Committee agreed to provide hospitality at the undernoted events at a cost of approximately £7,300, provision for which had been made within the Department estimates for 2013/2014.

·        The Spring Fair;

·        Belfast Parks’ Primary Schools’ Athletics event;

·        Belfast Parks Photographic Competition;

·        Rose Week; and

·        The City of Belfast Autumn Flower Show.

The Committee granted approval to the Northern Ireland Schools’ Football Association to host the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Schools’ Cup at the City of Belfast Playing Fields on Wednesday, 13th February, 2013.

The Committee agreed to undertake a pilot programme at The Reverend Robert Bradford Millennium Park subject to satisfactory terms being agreed by the director of Parks and Leisure and on the condition that:

·     The groups resolve all operational and health and safety issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

·     Parks and Leisure part fund this pilot programme.

·     To grant authority for the young people to generate funds for future activities.

·     An evaluation report be submitted to committee in March 2013 with recommendations on how this can be applied across the city.”

The Committee authorised officers from within the Department to attend the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure at the Assembly on 17th January to provide a briefing on the Council’s amateur boxing strategy.

The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an overview of the latest arrangements which had been put in place for the replacement of a bridge at Clement Wilson Park. It was noted that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 23rd November, had agreed that a sum of £200,000 in capital funding be set aside for the project and that a tendering exercise be commenced in this regard

The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an update on the development of a Mountain Bike Trail at Barnett Demesne, the construction of which was due to be commence in March, 2013.

            Moved by Councillor Hartley,

            Seconded by Councillor Ó Donnghaile,

      That the Beechmount Harriers Athletic Club be permitted the free use of the Falls Bowling Pavilion between 1st January and 31st March, 2013.

            On a vote by show of hands ten Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was accordingly declared carried.