Agenda and minutes

Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Haire, McNamee and Verner.  

            The minutes of the meeting of 15th 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 2nd February.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

A Member pointed out that the Director was attending his last meeting of the Committee and paid tribute to him for the work which he had undertaken on behalf of the Council over the past forty years. Representatives of each of the political parties commended the Director on his achievements and expressed their appreciation for the help and advice which he had provided to Members.

The Director thanked the Committee for its kind comments.

            Pursuant to the Committee’s decision of 15th January, the Chairman welcomed to the meeting Messrs. J. Davidson, H. Beckinsale, L. McStravick and F.Magee, who were in attendance to outline the plans which had been formulated by the Harland and Wolff Welders F.C. for the re-development of the Blanchflower Playing Fields.

            Mr. Davidson gave an overview of the history of the club and indicated that it wished to apply, at a future date, for promotion to the Irish League Premiership. However, the club’s current facilities at Tillysburn were not considered to be of a senior league standard and, accordingly, a move to the Blanchflower Playing Fields was considered to be a longer-term solution. Mr. Davidson proceeded to outline the community benefits which would be delivered to the greater East Belfast area through the development.

            Mr. McStravick, who was acting as a client advisor for the club, advised the Committee that the club would be seeking to transform the Blanchflower Playing Fields into a modern sporting facility for the primary use of the football team. He outlined the concept plan and the business case which had been formulated to oversee the proposal, together with providing an indication of the costs and the potential sources of funding which would support the project. He indicated that a steering panel, which consisted of local political, business and community representatives, had been established to co-ordinate ‘Phase 1’ of the project and to enable the club to meet with the requirements for accessing funding from governmental departments.

            The deputation then answered a range of Members’ questions in respect of the proposals and retired from the meeting.

            The Committee considered the matter and various Members welcomed the club’s proposals for the redevelopment of the Blanchflower Playing Fields since it would provide tangible community benefits and significant investment to East Belfast. It was pointed out that, in order to assist the club to secure funding to support the proposals, the Committee might agree, in principle, that it would be minded to support the proposal to re-develop the Blanchflower Playing Fields and, in accordance with Standing Orders, recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it would consider the disposal of the site through a lease agreement.    

            Accordingly, it was

      Resolved – that the Committee agrees that it would be minded to support the proposal, in principle, to enable the Harland and Wolff Welders Football Club to redevelop the Blanchflower Playing Fields, subject to sufficient funding being secured by the club and subject to the approval of a lease agreement by the Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in accordance with Standing Orders.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

         Members are reminded that the Council developed a Playing Pitches Strategy for the period 2011-2021 which was agreed in February 2012.  The strategy included action plans under 3 key objectives: Objective 1 – Capital Investment, Objective 2 – Management and Objective 3 – Sports Development 

2       Key Issues

2.1    The following outlines the progress that has been made in the achievements of the various actions under the 3 objectives and the multiple sub-objectives.

2.2    Objective 1 – Capital Investment

         This objective is to deliver and, working in partnership, enable a programme of capital development, enhancement and maintenance investments to address the shortfalls identified and protect existing playing pitches.

         It was agreed that the capital investment would include the development of a 3G pitch and associated facilities at 5 sites across the city.  These would be hybrid to encourage the shared use of the space and maximise use at the following sites:  

·        Cherryvale Playing Fields

·        Woodvale Playing Fields

·        Falls Park

·        Ormeau Park

·        Cliftonville (GAA pitch only due to site limitations)

It was also agreed that the changing facilities would be provided or upgraded at 5 sites across the city - Ballysillan – new facility, Waterworks (Westland) – new facility, Musgrave Park – new facilities, Victoria Park – upgrade of existing and Dixon Park – upgrade of existing

         The design process is well underway with planning applications having been submitted for all of the sites and planning approval has been granted for 9 of the 10 sites.  Work has commenced on 3 sites – Dixon, Waterworks and Cliftonville.  The tender process is underway in respect of a further 5 sites and work is scheduled to commence on these sites by the end of the summer 2015.  Work on the remaining 2 sites will be commenced by the end of 2015 with work being completed by summer 2016, subject to planning.

         A key element of this strategy is partnership working and to encourage the various sectors across the city to work together.  The Council continues to work with its partners including Sports NI, governing bodies, leagues, clubs and the education sector.  As part of this work, Ulster GAA are investing £1.1million in the capital investment that is happening at Cherryvale, Woodlands, Cliftonville and  Musgrave and a Joint Management Agreement is currently being developed in relation to this investment.

         As part of the capital investment £750,000 was allocated to a fund for capital enhancements to school playing pitches to allow greater community use. After an application process 6 schools from across the city received funding, ranging from £73,000 to £150,000 for projects including the upgrade of surfaces and the installation of floodlighting.  Work is ongoing and will be completed on all projects by the end of this financial year.

         There is also focus on Council-owned provision and an annual maintenance and refurbishment programme has now been put in place.  To date drainage work has taken place at 4 sites in both 2013 and 2014.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         The Committee is reminded that at its meeting in October 2014 it approved the next steps in relation to the consultation on partner agreements as set out in the report to this Committee in August 2014.  That public consultation process commenced on the 4 November 2014 and concluded on the 27 January 2015.  The process included:  

·        An online consultation and downloadable questionnaire on the policy and process. Approximately 51 unique downloads of this questionnaire occurred with a marked increased in viewings of the relevant website around the time of public meetings and during last two weeks of the consultation and seven formal written responses were submitted.

·        Three public meetings advertised in local press and on the Council’s website. Approx 30 club representatives including those from incoming council areas attended these meetings.

·        Social media posts on both Facebook and messages on Twitter.

·        Presentation and discussion of the policy and process at the council’s equality consultative forum during the public consultation period.

Members will also recall that the October 2014 Committee report on Partner Agreements informed members that recommendations would be brought back to this Committee outlining which grass pitches sites should be publically advertised as part of the implementation of the Partner Agreements process.

2       Key Issues

         Consultation findings

         As outlined, an extensive public consultation process was undertaken and this was independently facilitated.  The keys findings from the consultation process and the Council’s proposed response to them are outlined in the following table:

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1                             Relevant Background Information

                                 Members will be aware that the Council is the Burial Board for Belfast and that we currently manage and operate nine cemeteries across the city and the region’s only crematorium.  We will also be taking over the management of Knockbreda Cemetery from 1st April.

                                 To ensure that we deliver a high quality fit for purpose bereavement service the department has established a Bereavement Services Board which is overseeing a Bereavement Improvement Strategy. The strategy has a number of themes:

·        Bereavement Services – Administration

·        Bereavement Services – Operations and organisational design

·        Investment and finance

·        Strategic Crematoria and Cemetery Development 

                                 The Board has identified a number of priority actions under these themes and these are outlined in this paper.

2                               Key Issues

                                 Bereavement Services – Administration

                                 Under this theme the Board are looking at the management of our relationship with key stakeholders including funeral directors, the Health Trust and memorial sculptors.  A significant element of this theme is our customers and a key action has been a review and rationalization of our forms.  One form that we are currently reviewing is ‘Authority for Disposal of Cremated Remains’.  This form has been updated in relation to our holding over and environmental policy.  A key change to our policy is that we are proposing that we will only hold cremated remains for a maximum of 4 weeks and if they have not been collected at this point they will be scattered within the Garden of Remembrance.   It is proposed that we will consult on this change as part of our public consultation on bereavement issues.  

                                 Members will be aware that under our Environmental Policy we recycle metals such as those from orthopaedic implants.  This is done through the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) and any monies we receive from this will be donated to bereavement related charities.  Approximately £7,000 per annum is currently raised by ICCM in relation to this and it is proposed that this be split equally between   several charities.  It is proposed that a section is added to the form asking families to nominate a bereavement related charity that they would like the money to be donated to.  Twice a year officers will collate this information and the two most nominated charities in that period, will be recommended to Members for selection as the charities to receive the donation.  It is proposed that the same charity cannot receive the donation more than once in 2 years.  If a charity that has previously received money is one of the 2 nominated we would move to the next charity on the list.  It is proposed that we will consult on this proposal as part of our public consultation on bereavement issues.       

                                 Bereavement Services – Operations and organisational design   

                                 The Council has a responsibility is to ensure that its cemeteries, graveyards and burial grounds are safe places in which to work and for the public to visit.  Historically, health and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

(Mr. P. Murray, Anti Social Behaviour Co-odinator, attended in connection with this item).

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         The purpose of this report is to:

·        Provide an overview of antisocial behaviour (ASB) incidents across parks and leisure facilities and electoral area; and

·        Update committee on the activities, interventions and future developments of the ASB programme.

·        Members are reminded that  the objectives of the ASB programme are to:

·        enhance the environment around Parks and Leisure facilities;

·        develop education initiatives involving creative or supportive interventions to model acceptable behaviour around Parks and Leisure facilities;

·        define enforcement as a deterrent against infraction of bye-laws or legislation; and

·        develop sustainable interagency and inter-departmental networks and leading a partnership approach to reducing antisocial behaviour

2.      Key Issues

         ASB trends in Parks throughout Electoral areas

         The comparative data outlined in Figure 1 below, illustrates a decreasing trend in the total number of ASB incident reports in parks in the city between April and December 2013 in comparison with April to December 2014. There is however an increase in parks within the four electoral areas of Court, Lower Falls, Pottinger and Upper Falls.

         Figure 1

         The data above is recorded by frontline officers.  Spikes in the data are indicative of an increase in ASB. Members should note that in several of the areas that have seen an increase in ASB incidents, parks (Woodvale, Dunville & Orangefield) were closed for redevelopment in 2013, and this can partially explain the increase. Where there are hotspots, there is an increased focus for frontline staff who will record as much detail on ASB incidents as possible. This provides information on what ASB took place, when it happened and where exactly it happened, which allows the department to plan future activities to reduce ASB on Council properties. 

         Successful interventions to reduce ASB

·        Engagement activities are being developed to consult with young people in Court, Oldpark, Pottinger and Upper Falls. This work is informing how we can provide services for young people in partnership with local youth providers and reduce ASB specifically in Parks.

·        Community Outreach Managers have been collaborating with local youth providers and supporting community and schools groups through innovative engagement and activity programmes. These programmes bring communities into facilities in parks, allotments and community gardens to create a greater sense of ownership.

·        Examples of this practice can be found in the outdoor classroom or youth area (YAA) in Falls Park which has proved to be extremely popular with over 200 school children and young people participating in a diverse programme of outdoor learning activities designed to support the curriculum. This area has been animated with lots of positive activity and has led to a decrease of ASB in the immediate area around the YAA. It is hoped a similar effect will be experienced throughout the park following the proposed developments in the Falls Park Master Plan.

·        There has been significant youth engagement connected to the Waterworks Halloween lantern event and in Alexandra Park supporting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.                            Relevant Background Information

1.1                            Active Communities (AC) is a Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) programme, delivered from April 2010 to March 2015, through 11 council groups/ consortia including BCC. 

                                 It is recognised that the AC programme has proved to be a valuable coaching and community resource, which has led to high levels of participation in the city including under-represented groups, whilst providing opportunities for partnership working. 

1.2                            At its last meeting, Committee agreed that it would accept Sport NI’s letter of offer for the delivery of the Active Communities programme in 2015/16.  It also agreed to support Disability Sport NI’s management fee of £7,000.  It noted that there were 2 options for the continuation of the programme:

                                 Option 1: Continue ‘as is’ with a reduced management contribution to BCSDN; or

                                 Option 2: Manage all coaches in-house, with the exception of those employed through Disability Sport NI.

                                 Committee requested that officers concluded these discussions with Belfast Community Sports Development Network (BCSDN), to determine whether it was feasible for them to continue to deliver a sub-contract with the reduced management fee, covering the employment of 18 coaches.

2.                              Key Issues

2.1                            The Director met with the Board of Directors of BCSDN, to outline the new funding scenario (i.e. £50,000 management fee) and the options available to the Council.  The Chairperson of BCSDN, Mr Tom Scott noted the Director’s comments and agreed to respond in writing to the Council.

2.2                            At the meeting, the Chairperson requested that the Council sought clarification from Sport NI on the potential to allocate any surplus from salaries into management costs; and secondly, to ascertain whether Sport NI would permit income generation through charging for some of the activities.

                                 The Director has spoken to Sport NI and they have confirmed that it is not possible for salaries to be allocated to management costs.  It is however possible for BCSDN to apply charges provided these are not excessive and take account of need.

2.3                            Option 1

                                 Correspondence has now been received from BCSDN. It proposes that BCSDN continues to deliver the sub-contract, by reducing and re-configuring some of its management costs.  In the letter, they commit to reducing the overall management fee required from Belfast City Council/Sport NI from £111,104 to £65,000.  They have however also indicated that this would be dependent on DSD continuing to fund BCSDN but this has not yet been confirmed by DSD.

                                 BCSDN consider they can partly achieve this by controlling expenditure, utilising a portion of their financial reserves and introducing limited charges for sessions (excluding Neighbourhood Renewal areas and/or vulnerable groups).

                                 There remains a shortfall of £15,000 and BCSDN has requested that Council considers increasing its offer from £50,000 to £65,000.

2.4                            The key risks with this approach is the limited resources of voluntary/community organisations to absorb the cost of managing and housing coaches, and BCSDN’s ability to control expenditure.  The Council would need to provide an additional £15,000 to the allocation already made.

                                 However, this model  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Background Information

1.1    Members will be aware that a homeless ‘pod’ was placed at Jubilee Gardens at the junction of High Street and Victoria Street which is part of Belfast City Council’s (BCC) parks estate/ land. The pod was present on the site before Christmas for one day, was removed and then reinstated week commencing 19 January 2015.

1.2    Following an initial health and safety assessment of the pod, the council identified potential risks and took mitigating action by removing the pod on Monday 26 January.  Organisers/ owners of the pod have remained anonymous and have been unwilling to directly meet council officers to discuss the issues and risks.  Correspondence and the exchange of information has taken place between BCC and CommonLawni by email and telephone to reiterate health and safety, legal and maintenance concerns and underline the council’s position. On Monday 2 February 2015 Common Lawni requested the return of their property via email, which was collected by an independent agent on the 4 February 2015. Despite the difficulties and the discussion between BCC and CommonLawni that a report would be brought to the Parks and Leisure Committee for a decision in February 2015, the pod was reinstated by its organisers/ owners on Wednesday 11 February 2015.

1.3    The purpose of this report is to present the issues and risks associated with the placement of the homeless pod on council parks land so that members can make an informed decision on its future.

1.4    Members are also reminded of the report to the January Strategic Policy and Resources committee and the February Council meeting when an update was provided of the coordination and support agencies that work to tackle the issue of homelessness in the city and the strategic and regulatory role that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The NIHE have been consulted as part of this report and their response is below.

2       Key Issues

         BCC Issues and concerns

2.1    There are a number of key issues and concerns to note in relation to the homeless pod and its organisers/ owners:

·        An initial health and safety assessment of the pod revealed the following:

o   It was not fixed in position and was placed close to a busy, thoroughfare raising safety concerns for users and passing traffic;  

o   It was made of wood which raised concerns about combustible material and the potential of it being set alight.

·        A site specific in-depth risk assessment had not being carried out and no public liability insurance has been provided by the organisers/ owners.  Information about the construction of the pod has been provided but it is not an in depth risk assessment.

·        It was placed on council land without any prior consultation or agreement.

·        Ownership is anonymous and representation is through a third party. 

         Issues raised by Common Lawni

2.2    Throughout regular correspondence with CommonLawni several comments and conditions were put forward to the council, including:

·        The good deed to the homelessness being lost in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which outlined the extent of research work which was being undertaken currently at the Belfast Zoo, in conjunction with a range of universities, to explore and enhance the conservation of various species through the exchange of information. The report highlighted also the links which the Zoo had established with the School of Biology at The Queen’s University of Belfast and various faculties within the Ulster University.

            The Committee commended the Belfast Zoo on its ongoing programme of research and conservation and endorsed a future programme of research.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1  Relevant Background Information

      Buglife are developing an Urban Buzz Project which aims to promote insect pollinators in Parks and Open Spaces, transforming mown and unused amenity grass into vibrant areas, colour-rich and buzzing with life.  The project will engage communities in discovering wildlife on their doorstep. 

      Insect pollination is essential to food production. “One out of every 3 mouthfuls” is pollinated by insects.  In UK this is worth £500m per annum or 13% of UK agricultural revenue.

      Over half of our bee species have suffered declines over the past 50 years and over 250 UK pollinators are in danger of extinction. Habitat loss is a major driver of pollinator declines and currently in Northern Ireland less than 5% of grasslands are species rich.

      The project would revitalise areas with more sustainable pollinator friendly perennial planting.  The project will involve 10 flagship cities across the UK.  Buglife are in the final stages of securing funding for this project and have approached Belfast City Council to become a partner Flagship City. 

2    Key Issues

      The project will bring £100,000 of spend to increase the number of pollinator-friendly places within the City, enhancing green networks, providing attractive and engaging spaces for people, and involving local communities in their creation.  This will include urban meadows, enhanced amenity planting, road verge enhancements, work with local schools and trees for bees.

      This would be a 3 year project expected to commence in Autumn 2015.  The project will include a part time staff resource who will undertake project work and deliver outreach activities to encourage local communities to engage more with their parks and open spaces. BCC would be agreeing to:

·        permission to carry out project work on BCC land.  All works would be developed and agreed in advance with the Council.

·        maintain any new habitat/enhancements for 5 years

·        work with Buglife promoting Urban Buzz in the City.

      If successful and Belfast becomes a Flagship City a partnership agreement outlining roles and responsibilities will be developed and brought back to members for approval.

3    Resource Implications

      Financial

      There is potentially £100,000 of external funding available for this project.

      Human Resources

      None required at present

      Asset and Other Implications

      The project will involve the creation of wildflower rich habitats within parks which the Council will be required to maintain for 5 years.

4    Equality and Good Relations Implications

      There are no equality and good relations implications in relation to this project.

5    Recommendations

      It is recommended that approval is given to become a Flagship City and provide a letter of support to Buglife.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee was advised that a request had been received from The Queen’s University of Belfast seeking permission to undertake research into the distribution of squirrels and pine martens on Council sites across Belfast.  The Director explained that the research was part of a programme which sought to establish the following:

·        the distribution of pine martens, red and grey squirrels in Northern Ireland and the border counties;

·        the number of adult pine martens in Ireland;

·        to enable the relevant agencies to meet with their statutory requirements on the status of the pine martens within the EU; and

·        to raise awareness of Ireland’s protected mammals.

            The Committee was informed that the research would be carried out in a number of sites, including the Barnett Demesne, the Clement Wilson Park, the Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, the Ormeau Park, the Cave Hill Country Park, the Cregagh Glen and the Glenbank and Glencairn Parks. 

            The Committee granted permission for the research to be undertaken as outlined, subject to the drawing-up of an appropriate licence agreement between the Council and The Queen’s University of Belfast.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.Relevant Background Information

      The purpose of this report is to inform and advise the Committee regarding a request from the current owner of land adjoining 35 Brookvale Avenue to construct residential accommodation on a piece of land which had been previously leased to a prior owner of the property to enhance his garden.  By way of background information, a copy of two reports from February 2009 and August 2010 are appended. 

      In February 2009 the Committee received a report which proposed that requests for land for domestic use from private individuals should not be approved unless the land had been declared as surplus to operational requirements.  This was approved.  However, the report highlighted 3 such requests which were under consideration, at the time.  The report sought consent to progress the 3 requests for disposal.  One of the requests related to the acquisition of land to the north west of 35 Brookvale Avenue, which adjoins Waterworks Park.  The proposed disposal of the land in respect of 35 Brookvale was presented to the Strategic Policy and Resources in August 2010.

      The report to Strategic Policy & Resources outlined the terms of the agreement as follows.

·        Area for disposal comprises approximately 429 square metres;

·        Use of the land will be restricted to open space and to garden use in particular.

·        Disposal price agreed at £12,200.

·        Purchasers will erect a boundary fence at their own expense along any of the boundaries which are not currently fenced

      In addition, the report stated: “The owner states it will be used to enlarge the garden surrounding his house. The proposed restriction on use to open space guards against redevelopment of this portion of the site for housing or other commercial purposes and helps retain a buffer between the park and neighbouring buildings”.

2.   Key Issues

      The key issue for the Committee to note is that this land was disposed of on the clear understanding that was to be retained as open space and that it was not intended for housing or any other form of commercial development.  The change in ownership is irrelevant. 

      The land concerned was originally created as a buffer area to protect the adjoining house at 35 Broookvale Avenue from anti-social behaviour, the development of a dwelling on this buffer area could result in a future request to the Council to create a further buffer area, thus eroding the space available for public use within the Park.

      It is important that the Council maintains a position wherein land disposed off as open space to private individuals should remain so regardless of any change in ownership.  To convey consent would set a precedent for all future disposals. 

      Should the Council have been advised at the time of the disposal that the intention was to construct residential accommodation it is likely that the request would have been declined.  

3.   Resource Implications

      Financial Implications

      There are no financial implications at this time.  

      Human Resource Implications

      There are no additional human  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1   In December 2013, P&L Committee considered a report on a request from St John Vianney Youth Centre to explore the option of establishing a community garden in River Terrace.  At that time, Committee recommended the further investigation of the potential for the development of a community garden in River Terrace with a further report to be brought to Committee in due course.  It agreed that part of the £50,000 of capital funds allocated to South Belfast could contribute to the build of a community garden at River Terrace.

1.2   It is also noted that in 2006 a contamination report was carried out on the site which highlighted contaminants are present, in the high risk category. Soil samples were taken from a small section of the site along the railway line, the environmental consultant therefore recommended that additional testing is undertaken which is dispersed evenly across the full extent of the site.

1.3   As the land is owned by the Department of Social Development (DSD), work has been ongoing to provide a licence for the land to Council ownership with the appropriate agreements and insurances in place.  There has been some engagement with local communities, although this has been limited due to access to the land and the constraints regarding the growing season.

2       Key Issues

2.1   The formal discussions to grant access to the land are now planned to conclude by the beginning of March. It is now proposed that the immediate actions are undertaken:

-       Do an immediate clean-up on the site and remove any fly-tipping;

-       Determine if any patching/replacement of pathways is needed; and

-       Insert the site into the East Area maintenance programme to include regular grass-cutting and litter picks.

2.2   It is vital that all stakeholders and interested parties be involved and lead the process to develop a sustainable community space, with the strong sense of local ownership needed for a successful garden. 

         The following steps with local stakeholders/ residents / interested community members to determine the next step in the development of River Terrace as a growing space:

-       March 2015 Stakeholders to engage in formalised workshops. These workshops will identify the stakeholder’s main priorities for the growing space including the strengths and weaknesses of this space for the community.

-       March 2015 Work in partnership with the stakeholders to consult with the residents adjacent to the site

-       April – May 2015 Open invitation to attend a presentation and workshop on community gardens, to include site visits. 

-       May 2015 Working group to be established. Results of previous workshops and consultation to be analysed with group. 

-       June 2015 to February 2016 In collaboration with the working group, a programme of initial community engagement will be developed and may include community clean ups/ environmental and educational workshops/ neighbourhood activity days. How the community decide to utilise the space within these months will influence the design brief for this site.

-       November  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an update on the progress which had been achieved in respect of the decorative arts project at the Belfast City Cemetery. The Assistant Director outlined the steps which would be taken in the delivery of the next phase of the project and gave an overview of the artwork which had been chosen, together with an indication of the sites which had been identified within the Cemetery for the installation of the artwork.

            The Committee deferred consideration of a request, which had been received from the Angling Club within the Waterworks Park, for the Council to provide electricity to the club’s cabin adjacent to the top pond to allow for further information to be submitted in respect of the costs which might be incurred in the provision of electricity to that cabin.  

            Arising from discussion in the matter, the Committee agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting which would explore the feasibility of the Council providing similar-type support to the Belfast Aero-modelling Club, which was based within the Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park. 

            The Director indicated that a request had been received from the Engineering Faculty at The Queen's University of Belfast seeking permission to host an event at the Clement Wilson Park. He explained that the Faculty would be seeking to erect a temporary 'Meccano' bridge across a 24-metre span of the River Lagan, on a date as yet to be determined in mid-June. He stated that the proposal had to be approved by the Rivers Agency, however, the University had indicated that it would indemnify the Council against any loss or damage which might occur as a result of the holding of the event.

            The Committee granted permission to the Engineering Faculty to host the event, subject to the approval of the Rivers Agency, and agreed that a temporarily container be located at the site by the organisers for that purpose. The permission would be subject to the organisers meeting with the Council's Event Management Plan and submitting details of relevant insurance documentation, stewarding arrangements, the payment of a bond and to the organisers adhering to all health and safety requirements.

            The Committee agreed to defer, until its meeting scheduled for 12th March, consideration of a request which had been received for the use of the Grove Playing Fields on Saturday, 9th May.  That request, which had been submitted by the Ulster Centenary Committee, would be for the purposes of an assembly point for a parade though Belfast which would mark the centenary of the march past the City Hall by members of the 36th (Ulster) Division, prior to their leaving for pre-war training.  It was agreed that representatives of the Ulster Centenary Committee would be invited to attend the meeting to provide further clarification on its request.

            The Committee was informed that a request to host a sponsored ‘Run, Walk and Jog’ event at the Waterworks Park had been received from Palestine Aid. The Director reported that the event, which would commence at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, 29th March, would be attended by approximately 200 participants.  He confirmed that, whilst the participants would be sponsored, no money would be collected at the park since that aspect of the event would be managed online. In addition, Palestine Aid had been advised that no flags or banners would be permitted to be displayed, other than those advertising the event which would be agreed in conjunction with the Park Manager.

            The Committee granted approval for the use of the Waterworks Park for the event, subject to the completion of an appropriate event management plan, which would be to the satisfaction of the Council.

            The Director reported that the Irish Football Association had requested permission to host a Schools’ Super Festival for girls at the City of Belfast Playing Fields on Wednesday, 10th June. He pointed out that, if agreed, it would be the second year in which the Council had hosted the event and added that the 2014 festival had served to promote and enhance women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland on a cross-community basis.

            The Committee agreed to grant the free use of the City of Belfast Playing Fields to the Irish Football Association for the pitches and associated facilities, subject to the completion of an appropriate event management plan to the satisfaction of the Council.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.     Relevant Background Information

           The Mela is a multicultural festival that has attracted 20,000 people annually from all communities across Belfast and beyond.   The Mela has been successful in raising cultural awareness, encouraging civic identity and promoting a positive image for Belfast.  In March 2014, the Committee agreed to support Mela 2014 (Artsekta) up to £20,000, subject to a number of conditions.

2.        Key Issues

           Evaluation of 2014

           The Council established a successful arrangement with the Belfast Mela in 2013 and 2014.  It operates at minimal cost to the public and in 2014 attracted over 230,000 spectators.  In their evaluation for 2014, Belfast Mela estimate that the return on Council’s investment is approximately a ratio of £8.90 spend per visitor to every £1 Council support.  Visitors rated the event programming at 8 out of a possible 10 and an affordable, family-focussed day out.

           As a condition of the financial support, Belfast Mela was requested to facilitate 3 taster events across the city in advance of the main event.  These were facilitated at Falls Park, Knocknagoney and New Lodge with over 5,000 participants attending.  Other more in-depth outreach activities were facilitated with about 100 participants from An Droichead, Annadale Haywood Residents Association, Glenbyrn Women’s Group and participants recruited through the NIHE East Belfast office.

           Overall, at the Mela event itself, 93% of participants felt they had learnt something about another culture through the programme and 79% of participants felt that events such as the Mela enhance civic identity and participation.

           Proposal for 2015

           The Committee is asked to note that the Council has received a request from the Director of ArtsEkta to use Botanic Gardens for the Belfast Mela on 30th August  2015.

           It is proposed that Council continues to provide financial support to the event (up to £20,000), given the positive economic impact it has for the city, improved good relations and attractiveness of the Council assets.

           Similar to 2014, as a condition to funding, it is recommended that ArtsEkta is requested to facilitate community engagement and taster events in other local neighbourhoods, to build the audience from across the city.  Specific locations could be identified in conjunction with the Community Parks Outreach team, ensuring a spread across the city, and potentially include re-developed assets such as Victoria Park and newly developed such as Girdwood Park.

           In relation to facilitating the event itself, the key issues are :

1.     In this particular instance the Council has received a request for use for Upper and Lower Botanic Gardens for the Belfast Mela on 30th August 2015 from midday to 6.00pm;

2.     The proposed timescale from set up to take down of the event is eight days 25th  August to 1st  September 2015 inclusive in Botanic Gardens;

3.     ArtsEkta has requested permission to collect an entrance fee in the region of £5 per adult;

4.     The event shall be subject to the preparation of an event management plan which shall cover  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

            The Committee was informed that a request to install an underground electricity cable at the Council-owned land at Stewart Street had been received from Northern Ireland Electricity.

            The Committee agreed, in accordance with Standing Orders, to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it would approve the installation of an underground cable by Northern Ireland Electricity, as requested, and authorise the completion of the way-leave in respect of the matter, subject to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive offering no objection.