Agenda and minutes

          An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor Ó Donnghaile.

            The minutes of the meeting of 16th January 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 February.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            (Ms. J. Wilson, Business Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the Department’s quarterly financial performance as of 31st December, 2013. 

            The Business Manager informed the Committee that the year-end forecast for the Department was for a £120,000 overspend, which represented 0.5% of the Department’s estimate. She explained that this had arisen due to pressure on income, which had been alluded to within the report, and as a consequence of unanticipated utility costs at the Belfast Zoo and the closure of the pool at the Avoniel Leisure Centre.  She assured the Members that, whilst the potential overspend could be attributed to uncontrollable costs, robust financial management procedures had been put in place to reduce spending against other budget headings to endeavour to reduce the level of overspend being forecast. 

Noted.

            (Mrs. C. Moraghan, Sports Development Officer, attended in connection with these items.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    Support for Sport has been assisting sports clubs and community organisations develop sport and increase participation for over a decade.

1.2    Since 2005, the Director has held delegated authority to approve support for sport hospitality, small development grant awards, and more recently Club Mark payments and Individual grants.  Members, each year, approve a limited number of large development grant awards.

1.3    At Committee on 12 September 2013 members approved the transfer of the Support for Sport Grants to the Central Grants Unit with the evaluation and approval process remaining with the department. 

1.4    The application process for the first tranche of funding for 2014/15 financial year has already closed with 152 applications submitted for assessment.  The applications will be presented to members in April 2014 for information.

1.5    Members have also requested a breakdown of the current financial year allocation.

2       Key Issues

2.1    The Support for Sport Priorities for funding are:

·        The education of coaches and volunteers

·        Increased opportunities for women and girls, disabled and older people

·        Promoting sport and physical activity as a social integration and health improvement tool

·        The need to address any imbalances in applications across the City.

2.2    It is estimated that there are over 19,000 club members benefiting from the 150 successful applications made to the small grant scheme. This is a 3,000 increase from 2012/13 and from this 13,794 are male (up from 11,671) and 5,300 female members (up from 5010).   

2.3    Table below shows the breakdown of awards in 2012/13.

2.4    The data shows that in the current financial year (2013/14) there is a similar spread in small development awards in the East and West of the city with a slightly higher proportion going to North Belfast.  However clubs applying from the South area has reduced from previous years.  This could somewhat be explained in that a significant number of the clubs applying from the south also view themselves as being citywide due to the spread of their members and facilities they use for training.

2.5    The data also highlights a significant level of support for Association Football, totalling 51 applications although this does reflect the high number of football clubs across the city in comparison to other sporting disciplines.

2.6    Support for Sport moving forward

         Targeted workshops were conducted during November and December 2013 to inform and prepare clubs for the new application process through the CGU. It is anticipated that the second tranche  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 16th January, it had endorsed the contents of the report regarding the future supervision and maintenance of reservoirs located within parks properties.  It had been noted that a further report would be submitted which would outline the engagement process which would be undertaken with local residents in respect of the work which would be carried out at the Boodle’s Dam in the Ligoniel Park. Accordingly, the Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.Relevant Background Information

      Boodles Dam is located off the Mountain Hill Road in Ligoniel Park.  It is likely that the reservoir was constructed circa mid 1800’s for industrial use. Ligoniel Improvement Association works closely with Belfast Hills Partnership in developing education and environmental programmes both in Ligoniel Park and the area surrounding. 

      The Chair, John Gray, has written to the Director of Parks and Leisure seeking to establish an organisational relationship with the Council to improve linkages between the Ligoniel Park and other open spaces in the neighbourhood.

      In discussion with LIA, they have indicated that they would be able to support community engagement around this urgent Boodle’s Dam issue.  This would also enable the Council and LIA to examine the potential for a wider relationship on the ongoing development and management of the park.

2.   Key Issues

      Terms of Reference

      If the Committee is agreeable to this proposal, it is suggested that the Council convenes a joint working group, initially comprising BCC officers, LIA representatives and Belfast Hills Partnership.  The purpose of the joint working group is to:

·        Support Council officers in the communication of the safety issues at Boodle’s Dam to the public;

·        Facilitate community engagement on plans for the dam and wider development issues for Ligoniel Park;

·        Present a development proposal and annual animation plan to Committee, linking to the agreed management plan and identifying resources, where appropriate by September 2014; and

·        Establish a partnership delivery group thereafter, to oversee and support the delivery of the plan, as agreed by Parks and Leisure Committee.

      As part of the development proposal and annual plan, the group would be expected to identify necessary resources (including sourcing external funding) and seek approval from Committee on its delivery.

      Proposed objectives

      The group would be committed to:

·        Promoting a wider sense of ownership of the park by the community

·        Making the park a safer place and using the asset to contribute to a safer environment

·        Encouraging greater use of the park and contributing to improving health and well being in the neighbourhood

·        Encouraging inclusive and diverse participation in its community engagement and plan delivery.

Membership

         It is proposed in the first phase the working group comprises BCC officers, Belfast Hills Partnership and LIA representatives. 

      In the establishment of the partnership delivery group at the next stage, it is anticipated that a wider membership will be proposed to Committee for its consideration.   

         Benefits to Council

         There are a number of key benefits to the Council in working collaboratively with LIA and Belfast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         Members will be aware that over the years the Council has reviewed ‘facility management agreements’ (FMAs).  In 2011 it was agreed that a fundamental revision was needed and a framework and set of criteria established to ensure requests for such arrangements would be assessed on a consistent basis.

         The draft Playing Pitches Agreements policy seeks to provide the flexibility required to enable mutually beneficial partnership arrangements to be developed that add value to the Council’s service delivery, balancing public access with dedicated use. This was considered and agreed by Committee in December 2012.   In September 2013, Council agreed to undertake an engagement process with relevant partners to consider this draft policy.

2.      Key Issues

         In October 2013, three engagement workshops took place at Council venues citywide with over 50 participants.  At each workshop, Council Officers gave a presentation on partner agreements, the draft policy which only applies to standard grass pitches and the outcomes Council is seeking to achieve.  

         Independent facilitators from the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC) facilitated discussion around these areas.  The workshops provided an opportunity to hear the views of and engage with current partners (FMAs holders, representative bodies and sporting codes from all levels) on the draft policy. IISC summarised the key issues arising from the consultation:

         Overall policy direction:

·        More clarity is required around the details of the proposals to enable partners to provide more detailed feedback on potential implications. That said, some felt that the ‘partnership agreements are a good idea as they could assist in ensuring better and more efficient usage of pitches’.  

·        There was also support for the Council's wider objectives of trying to enhance inclusion, address inequalities, promote participation and enhance wellbeing across the city.

·        Some participants felt if the overall responsibility for pitch upkeep resides with the Council that this could work out better for the clubs.

·        There was concern that the policy may take little account of the increase in usage which has taken place over the last few years.   Over the years many FMA holders have built up good working relationships with council parks and leisure staff. There was some concern that the new arrangements may not ensure continuity in terms of the provision of skilled and knowledgeable Council staff that play a pivotal role at in ensuring standards and quality of provision at grass pitches across Belfast.

·        The issue of provision for intermediate level was raised and it was noted that there is little available at the moment.  It is therefore ‘important that governing bodies work in partnership with the Council and grass roots to solve problems’, particularly in relation to the rules and regulations of the various sporting associations.

·        There was a broad agreement amongst consultees that increased grass pitches provision was needed and that the welcome introduction of 3G will not fully address this issue.

Future criteria for partner agreements:

·        Questions raised were around what the criteria for applications  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         The purpose of this report is to inform the Committee of an emerging proposal from Seaview Enterprises in respect of Council owned land at Loughshore. The land in question is the site of the Loughside Recreation Centre and associated football pitches at Loughside, which is adjacent to Shore Road / Mount Vernon.  Clearly at this stage of the Leisure Transformation Programme no decision has been taken about the future of the Recreation Centre.

         Members may be aware that the Department of Education has recently released a call for expressions of interest in respect of its Shared Education Campuses Programme.  This is part of the wider ‘Together: Building a United Community’ initiative from the First Minister / Deputy First Minister. 

         A preliminary meeting between Council Officers and representatives from Seaview Enterprises (SE) has indicated that it wishes to make application to the programme for funding to deliver a ‘Shared Campus’.  To do SE has identified the Loughshore site as its preferred location and has asked for the Council’s support in a number of ways:

1.     To agree in principle to lease land to SE to enable the project to proceed; and

2.     To be a partner to the bid and participate in the development of the bid and the project moving forward

         The indicative scheme includes a 5,000 seat stadium, however, at this time; this is not included in the proposal going forward to Department of Education, although the proposal will include the provision of a 3G artificial turf pitch.

2.      Key Issues

         There are a number of issues which members may wish to consider at this time;

1.     This project is at a very early stage in development;

2.     The proposal cannot proceed without the land;

3.     At this stage, detail regarding the terms and conditions of the funding are not known;

4.     Based on the guidance notes accompanying the call for expressions of interest there is no requirement at this time in relation to security of tenure;

5.     The proposal presents a potential opportunity to secure funding which would enable an existing sport and leisure facility to be regenerated and offer potential benefits to the wider community in North Belfast;

3.      Resource Implications

         Asset and Other Implications

         The proposal presents an opportunity to regenerate the site within similar existing land use parameters and would provide additional modern facilities to support programmes for the local community.

5.      Recommendations

         The Committee is asked to give consideration to agreeing to authorising Officers to represent the Council on a Project Board to progress the bid to Expression of Interest Stage with a view to the potential use of the existing land at Loughside Recreation Centre to facilitate the proposal;”

            During discussion, a Member expressed concern that the plan which had been formulated by Seaview Enterprises had been placed within the public domain prior to it being considered by the Council.  Concern was expressed also that the current users of the facility,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which outlined the Council’s future programme for the installation and upgrade of Multi-use Games Areas across the City. It was noted that this programme had been endorsed by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 24th January. 

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which outlined the findings of a public users’ survey in respect of the pilot ‘dogs off leads’ enclosure at the Grove Playing Fields, a project which had been endorsed by the Committee in May, 2013.  The Director outlined the principal aspects of the findings of the survey, which had determined that over half of those individuals interviewed had expressed satisfaction with the facility. 

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to extend the trial period for the dogs’ enclosure at the Grove Playing Fields and to the development of similar-type enclosures at other parks in the City with a report thereon being submitted for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

                  The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         A report was presented to Committee on the 11 October 2012 outlining a number of short, medium and long term proposals, as part of the Falls Park and City Cemetery Master plan.  One of the short term proposals made reference to a potential allotment site adjacent to the Whiterock Leisure Centre.  An initial environmental survey has indicated the area is suitable for a total of 25 allotments.

         Officers have been working with partnership organisations to deliver a programme of work as part of the Master plan and ‘Growing Communities’ strategy.   The Public Health Agency (PHA) has expressed an offer in principle to-fund the development of the allotment site and to pilot the combined use by private individuals and community groups/ schools from the local residential area. 

         The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of this element of the Master plan and to seek authority to accept PHA’s in principle funding award subject to internal legal advice.  

2.      Key Issues

         Belfast City Council has a long history (30+years) of designing, implementing, managing and facilitating ‘Grow your Own’ provision within Belfast.  Currently the council provides a total of 240 allotment sites across five locations in Belfast: Ballysillan, Belmont, Blythefield, Annadale and Musgrave and a number of community garden facilities across Belfast.  

         Demand for allotments currently outweighs supply and research indicates that this is likely to increase.  Waiting lists for allotments are long and turnover is minimal.  The pilot proposes to develop 25 allotments including 19 for private/ individual use and 6 for community/ school use.  Many community organisations have been actively involved in the Whiterock community garden to date, gaining vast knowledge and skills in food growing.  Community allotment provision will enable more people to use the space, and benefit from the food grown, while creating more sustainable growing activities for the community/ schools and giving them a greater sense of pride and ownership.

         A local allotment waiting list currently exists for residents, community groups/ schools following an ‘expression of interest’ exercise carried out in 2010.  A master allotment waiting list for all sites across the city is currently being collated by the department.  As part of the funding agreement, the PHA have outlined conditions to be followed, including:

·        Allotments are allocated to residents/ community groups/ schools from the local residential area i.e. within 1.2km mile radius catchment area/ approx 10/15 min walk;

·        The allotment site combines both individual and community/ school use; and

·        The PHA funding is recognised via signage and associated literature.

         On this basis it is proposed that we undertake an exercise to identify current interest among local residents within the catchment area, using the existing list as a starting point.  If there are a greater number of names than plots available, these will be added to the master list. 

         There are significant benefits to be gained by combining both individual and community growing facilities from the local residential area, including  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Committee was reminded that the new bridge, which would link the Airport Road with the Victoria Park as part of the Connswater Community Greenway, had been named in honour of the Belfast playwright, Sam Thompson, following a public ‘name the bridge’ competition. It was reported that the official opening of the bridge would take place on Friday, 4th April, and it would coincide with a community festival which would take place between noon and 4.00 p.m. The Director provided an overview of the proposed event and outlined the manner in which Members would be involved on the day.

            After discussion, during which the Director undertook to clarify issues relating to out of hours access to the park from the new bridge, the Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         In March 2012, Committee was presented with a report on the implementation of the High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011setting out the four key stages of the process.

         Committee agreed to grant delegated authority to the Director of Parks and Leisure to exercise all powers relating to the High Hedges Act (NI) 2011.  It was also agreed that the High Hedges process would be reviewed after an appropriate period of implementation.

2.      Key Issues

         From April 2012 to date, the service has dealt with 149 complaints in relation to high hedges the majority of these by telephone. The vast majority of complaints have been dealt with informally.  The three complaints that proceeded through the formal route were completed without any appeal with the service receiving the £1,050 required fee.

         The officers however have dealt with over 1600 calls requesting advice and guidance on the legislation. The experience to date is that the service is working hard with residents to resolve issues regarding High Hedges through the more informal route which is proving to be successful.

         In the report to Committee in March 2012, the view was that the High Hedge fee of £350 would cover the costs associated with administering this new legislation and the programme would be cost-neutral.  Currently there are two fixed term officers providing advice and support in this area at a cost of £54k.  

         The assessment is that realising this level of income over time is now unlikely, given the track record of informal dispute resolution.  The role of the High Hedges Project Officer and Project Assistant has been more an advice and mediation role. 

         The costs for both officers have been offset against income from other projects, generated within the Landscape Planning & Development Unit.  This includes the DRD Street Trees programme and DSD Environmental Improvement schemes.

         More broadly, there is increased pressure on the Landscape Planning and Development Unit to deliver more information in relation to public liability claims in all areas and to significantly improve its processes, particularly inspections and records retrieval.  In recent months, the High Hedges team has been assisting in this regard.

         In order to release specialist technical staff to undertake more inspections and management of repairs, it is proposed that for a temporary period of 6 months, the High Hedges Project Officer undertake the following tasks:

·        Dealing with telephone enquiries relating to high hedges, tree pruning requests and complaints

·        Development and provision of High Hedges information as an online resource to enable the public to more easily access the information

·        Drawing up (tree) planting plans for small scale environmental schemes

·        Attending site meetings with DRD Roads Service Engineers, Parks Managers, Councillors and members of the public and giving tree advice

·        Updating park and street tree details on the City Tree Management System software using information received from Contractors.

         In addition, the Project Assistant will:

·        Log all complaints/requests for work and allocate these to relevant officers within Landscape Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

                  The Committee considered the undernoted report.

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         Currently there are 10 x Gravedigger posts (Scale 3) and

         14 x Cemetery Operative posts (Scale 4)

         The Cemetery Operative posts were introduced in 2008 following approval by Committee on 15 May 2008. It has been identified by management that the posts within the cemeteries, and in particular Roselawn, are not providing sufficient operational flexibility to meet today’s demands, service standards and health & safety requirements. At Roselawn there is a growing requirement that staff must be flexible in order to deal with the increasing number of burials on this expanding site, associated increases in ground maintenance requirements, the introduction of memorial safety and the provision of operational back-up cover at the Crematorium.

         It is within the job description of the Cemetery Operative to provide this required level of operational flexibility, but not all the required aspects are covered within the job descriptions of the current Gravedigger posts.

         There are over 55,000 graves in Roselawn Cemetery which is expanding rapidly, at approximately 250 new graves per annum.  Dundonald Cemetery has approximately 22,000 graves. Within Roselawn and Dundonald Cemeteries approximately 80% of graves have headstones/memorials already erected on them. None have yet been inspected for memorial safety, stability and permission to erect.

         Within the existing structure there is currently 15 seasonal staff, i.e. 4 Park Operatives and 11 Gardener Scale 3s to assist with the seasonal increase in work within Parks & Cemeteries. 

2.      Key Issues

         At present there is 1 vacancy for a Gravedigger at Roselawn Cemetery, this post needs to be filled as it currently is being covered by the extension of a Seasonal Gardener’s contract which cannot continue long term.

         In addition Memorial Safety Inspections must be introduced at Roselawn and Dundonald Cemeteries as reported to Committee on 14th March 2013. The Cemetery Operatives, under the supervision of the Community Park Supervisors and following directives from the Cemeteries and Crematorium Manager will shortly commence carrying out these vital inspections.

         In order to ensure that the staff ‘s job descriptions are suitably flexible to provide the full range of operational requirements within the cemeteries, it is proposed that the current vacant post of Gravedigger at Roselawn and all other Gravedigger posts elsewhere (10 in total) would be replaced by the recruitment of Cemetery Operatives, if and when they become vacant.

         Discussions have recently been with the current Gravedigger post holders and their Trade Unions representatives at their request to review the role of Gravediggers.

         Outcomes from this review will be brought to a later Committee.

         To reduce agency staff and overtime usage, the Parks & Cemeteries Managers have requested 11 Park Operatives and 9 Gardener Scale 3s seasonal staff across all areas for 2014/15.  This will be a change to our current establishment by an additional 5 seasonal posts and the designation numbers will also change.

3.      Resource Implications

         The phasing in of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting of 11th December, 2008, it had agreed to extend out of hours usage of leisure centres for clubs and societies and had adopted a rate of £20 per hour as a contribution towards utility costs. The Director indicated that a charge of £11.60 per hour would be levied from April, in line with the new scale of charges, and he reviewed the level of usage by clubs and associated participants of the facilities.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to approve the extension to the out of hours agreements until 31st March, 2015, and granted delegated authority to the Director to extend such agreements as deemed necessary.

            The Committee endorsed the undernoted closing arrangements for 2014/15.

Cemeteries and Crematorium 

Roselawn Crematorium and Cemetery

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         There are 8 senior female football clubs in Belfast, many with second and third level streams and junior sections.  However they represent only 6% of Belfast football clubs.  Members will be aware that a baseline survey into pitch provision is underway with early indication that there are issues around provision of grass pitches in the summer to meet the demand for women’s football. 

2.      Key Issues

         The current review of provision has highlighted the lack of playing opportunity for female football with only 9 confirmed grass pitches available for summer play in 2014.

         With the loss of the single summer pitch at Boucher Road the provision for the south of the city is reduced. This is coupled with the issue of reports of anti-social behaviour during the summer months and the use of one of the pitches at Wedderburn as a bonfire site.

         An alternative site in the south of the city is Strangford Avenue playing fields which currently has no provision for summer play and is routinely under used due to the additional costs for providing a second manned changing pavilion. 

         The proposal to ‘flip’ one winter pitch on this site to summer play would also come with key handling agreements for the second changing facility and therefore no additional costs would be incurred by the council.  

         This would result in meeting one of the key playing pitch policy objectives of providing quality dedicated space for competitive sporting play.

3.      Resource Implications

         None.  The clubs booking the facility would still pay the agreed rate following the agreed booking procedure through Outdoor Leisure.

4.      Equality Implications

         The proposal aims to rebalance the provision across the city and will be quality screened in accordance with Council requirements through the review of Parks & Leisure playing pitches review.

5.      Recommendation

         Members are asked to agree the proposal to convert one winter pitch at Strangford Avenue playing fields to a summer pitch and for officers to draw up key handling arrangements with legal services.  The legal agreement to be in place for the beginning of the summer season in April 2014.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee was informed that a request had been received from ArtsEkta to host the Belfast Mela in the Botanic Gardens on 24th August, 2014. The Director explained that the event would, subject to funding, utilise the Upper and Lower portions of the Gardens from 12:00 noon till 6.00 p.m. on the date mentioned. It was reported that the preparation and dismantling operation for the event would be carried out between 19th and 26th August. The Director outlined the consultation processes which would be undertaken by ArtsEkta with other local stakeholders, such as The Queen’s University of Belfast, the Lyric Theatre, local residents and the Friends of Botanic Gardens.

            The Committee acceded to the request and granted delegated authority to the Director to consider and, if deemed appropriate, grant the use of the Gardens – both Lower and Upper portions – in future years for the purposes of the Belfast Mela. It was agreed also that:

·        the organisers of the 2014 event would be permitted to charge an admission fee in the region of £3, and granted delegated authority to the Director to vary that admission charge, if appropriate, subject to the provision of financial information in respect of the level of sponsorship obtained by the organisers.

            In addition, it was agreed further that the use of the park would be subject to:

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

·        an appropriate legal agreement, which would be prepared by the Town Solicitor, being completed; and

·        the event organisers meeting all statutory requirements, including health and safety matters, to the Council’s satisfaction.

            The Director reported that a request had been received from the Pride of the Shore flute band seeking permission to hold a ‘musical extravaganza’ on Saturday, 26th April, from 3:00 p.m. till midnight. It was estimated that the event, which would take place in the main hall, would be attended by 600 individuals and four bands from Scotland. The applicants had applied also for an occasional licence for the event.

            Accordingly, the Committee agreed to grant the use of the facility, as requested, subject to the submission of an event management plan by the organisers, and to the following terms and conditions, namely, that:

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

·        an appropriate legal agreement, which would be prepared by the Town Solicitor, be completed; and

·        the event organisers would meet all statutory requirements, including health and safety matters, to the Council’s satisfaction.

            The Committee was informed that a request had been received from CumannSpoirt an Phobail seeking permission to hold a cultural evening on Saturday, 29th March, in the main hall at the WhiterockLeisure Centre. It was pointed out that the cleaning of the hall would be undertaken on Sunday 30th March, which would necessitate its closure on that date. The event would be a community celebration which would include an awards ceremony to recognise those who had contributed to the development of the Whiterock area in sporting and cultural terms. The applicants had applied also for an occasional licence for the event.

            Accordingly, the Committee agreed to grant the use of the facility, as requested, subject to the following terms and conditions, namely, that:

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

·        an appropriate legal agreement, which would be prepared by the Town Solicitor, be completed; and

·        the event organisers would meet all statutory requirements, including health and safety matters, to the Council’s satisfaction.

            The Director reported that the County Grand Lodge of Belfast had written to the Council requesting the use of the Barnett Demesne for its Belfast demonstration on 12th July, 2014.  He advised the Committee that the Council had granted the use of the site to the County Grand Lodge for the 12th July demonstrations in previous years and that there had been no significant difficulties or problems reported. 

            The Committee granted approval subject to the following terms and conditions, namely, that:

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

·        an appropriate legal agreement, which would be prepared by the Town Solicitor, be completed; and

·        the event organisers would meet all statutory requirements, including health and safety matters, to the Council’s satisfaction.

            The Director reported that a request had been received from Bombardier Aerospace seeking the Council’s permission, in principle, to use the Victoria Park as part of its overall site evacuation plan in the event of a major incident at the Queen’s Island. It was reported that the company had indicated that it would prefer to utilise the Odyssey complex in such an eventuality, with the Victoria Park acting as an alternative site should the need arise. He added that Bombardier had indicated that access to the park would be via the Connsbrook Road and the Sydenham Bypass and, if required, by The Sam Thompson Bridge, should the bridge be accessible on a 24 hour basis.

            The Committee agreed initially, subject to the drawing up of an appropriate legal agreement, to grant permission for the use of the park as an emergency evacuation point during normal opening hours only. It was noted that the use of the park as an evacuation point on a 24 hour basis would be determined once the access arrangements to and from the park via The Sam Thompson Bridge had been clarified.  

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 5th December, 2013, it had acceded to a request to grant the use of the Ormeau Park in 2014 and 2015 for the hosting of the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships. Further to that meeting, the organisers of the championships, which would take place on 14th June, 2014, and 15th June, 2015, had advised the Council that they would wish to apply for an Occasional Licence to sell alcohol at the events.   

            The Committee agreed, in the event of the Occasional Licence being obtained by the organisers, that it had no objection to the sale of alcohol at the event.