Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

Apologies were reported on behalf of Alderman R. Patterson and Councillors Howard and Nicholl.

            Councillor Boyle declared an interest in relation to the item under the heading “Amendment to Standing Order 37(d)”, in that he owned a number of HMO’s within the City but remained in the Chamber as the matter did not become the subject of discussion.

            The following Members declared an interest in respect of the minute of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee minute of 14th December, under the heading “Motion – Social Investment Fund” and left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed:

·        Councillor Reynolds – in that he was a member of the North Belfast Social Investment Fund Panel;

·        Councillor Graham – insofar as she worked for Gems NI, which was the delivery agent for a Social Investment Fund programme; 

·        Councillor Garrett - in that he was a member of the West Belfast Partnership Board, which had received funding from the Social Investment Fund;

·        Councillor Walsh - insofar as he was the Chair of Tar Anall Management Committee and a member of Coiste na nIarchimí, both of which had employees which had been funded through the Social Investment Fund;

·        Councillor Beattie – in that he was a member of the West Belfast Partnership Board;

·        Councillors Carson, Corr, Magee, Magennis, McAteer and O’Donnell - insofar as they were members of Partnership Boards or Social Investment Fund Panels;

·        Councillor Corr Johnston – in that her wife was on the Board of Directors of the McDonald Centre, which had received funding from the Social Investment Fund; 

·        Councillor Kyle – insofar that he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Alderman Kingston – insofar as he was a member of the West Belfast Social Investment Fund Steering Group;

·        Councillor Hutchinson – in that he was a member of the Shankill Partnership Board, which had received funding from the Social Investment Fund prior to him joining;

·        Councillor Dudgeon – in that he was a member of the South Belfast Partnership Board and the South Belfast Social Investment Panel;

·        Councillor Johnston – insofar as he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Alderman Haire – in that he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Councillor Armitage – insofar as he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Councillor McCusker – in that he was the Chair of the PIPS charity, which had received funding through the Social Investment Fund;

·        Councillor Long – insofar as he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown) in that he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Councillor Newton – in that he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Alderman Sandford – in that he was a member of the EastSide Partnership;

·        Councillor Collins – insofar as he was a member of the West Belfast Partnership Board but remained in the Chamber whilst the matter was being discussed; and

·        Councillor Lyons - in that in that he was a Member of the South Belfast Partnership Board but remained in the Chamber whilst the matter was being discussed. 

            Aldermen Copeland, Haire and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Hargey),

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown),

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 3rd December be taken as read and signed as correct.

Official Announcements

            At the request of Alderman Kingston, the Council agreed to vary the minute of the meeting of 3rd December, under the heading “Official Announcements”, to reflect that the Lord Mayor, together with a number of Members, had thanked Madam Wang Shuying, the outgoing Chinese Consul General to Northern Ireland, for the significant contribution which she had made to the promotion of Belfast and had wished her well in the future.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing variation, the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 3rd December were approved and adopted.

To affirm the Council’s decision of 3rd December to amend Standing Order 37(d) to give effect to the Licensing Committee having delegated authority to determine applications under the Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Hargey),

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown); and

      Resolved - That the Council agrees to affirm its decision of 3rd December to amend Standing Order 37(d) to give effect to the Licensing Committee having delegated authority to determine applications under the Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) Act 2016.

            The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated Councillor Dorrian and his wife, Lauren, on the occasion of their recent marriage and welcomed Councillors Armitage and McAllister to the meeting following their recent absence.

                        The Lord Mayor referred to the fact that Councillor Howard and her daughter had sustained injuries in a recent vehicle collision and, on behalf of the Council, extended to them her best wishes for a speedy recovery.

                        Councillor Long, together with a number of Members, paid tribute to the outgoing High Sheriff (Councillor Howard) and wished Councillor Sandford well during his term in Office.

            The Lord Mayor, together with a number of Members, extended their sincere condolences to Councillor Pankhurst on the death of his grandmother, Sue.

            Councillor Pankhurst thanked the Members for their kind remarks and paid tribute to the nursing staff for the exemplary standard of care which they had provided in the days leading up to his grandmother’s death. 

                        The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated those staff who had contributed to the Council attaining a Level Two Charter Mark Award for Elected Member Development, through the Northern Ireland Local Government Association.

            At the request of several Members, the Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated Mr. Jim Ferguson, the former Cleansing Operations Manager, who had been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List for his services to local government and the community. 

The Council approved a request from the BBC to film the proceedings of the meeting.

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received of the following changes to Committees:

            Alliance Party

·        Councillor Armitage to replace Councillor Nicholl on the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. Shareholders’ Committee; and

·        Councillor Armitage to replace the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown) on the Planning Committee.

            Sinn Féin Party

·        Councillor McAteer to replace Councillor Black on the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. Shareholders’ Committee;

·        Councillors Black and Magee to replace Councillors Baker and Corr on the City Growth and Regeneration Committee; 

·        Councillors Black and McAteer to replace Councillors Canavan and O’Donnell on the People and Communities Committee;

·        Councillor Garrett to replace Councillor Black on the Licensing Committee; and

·        Councillors Campbell and Canavan to replace Councillors Magee and McAteer on the Planning Committee.

            Ulster Unionist Party

·        Alderman Rodgers to replace Councillor Johnston on the City Growth and Regeneration Committee; and

·        Councillor Johnston to replace Alderman Rodgers on the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and as the Chairperson of that Committee.

            The Council approved the changes.

To consider a request from Mr. Conor Shields, Save CQ Campaign, to address the Council in relation to the motion on Tribeca Belfast being proposed by Councillor Reynolds.

            The Chief Executive reported that a request had been received from Mr. Conor Shields, Save CQ Campaign, to address the Council in relation to the motion on Tribeca Belfast which Councillor Reynolds would be proposing later in the meeting.

            The Council acceded to the request and Mr. Conor Shields and Dr. Agustina Martire were welcomed by the Lord Mayor.

            Mr. Shields informed the Council that he had worked in the Cathedral Quarter for over twenty years and had been a co-founder of the Cathedral Quarter Trust and a founding director of Culture Night Belfast. He explained that he was currently a member of the Steering Committee of the Save CQ Campaign and then proceeded to recite a poem which he had compiled in protest at the proposed Tribeca branding and which, in keeping with the City’s motto, was entitled “What Shall We Give in Return for So Much”.

            Dr. Martire reported that she was the Vice-Chairperson of the Save CQ Campaign. She explained that Save CQ was calling upon Castlebrooke Investments to develop, rather than demolish, the Cathedral Quarter and highlighted a number of issues over and above the branding proposal which needed to be addressed. Those included the twenty-one historic buildings which would be completely or partially demolished across two Conservation Areas, the displacement of at least eight unique art venues, organisations and businesses, a 47% reduction in the area of Writers’ Square, the absence of social or affordable housing and of green space and the focus upon retail provision, at a time when there was a 17% vacancy rate across the City centre. Those proposals had, she pointed out, been put forward in spite of thousands of objections from people across the City.

            She confirmed that the Save CQ Campaign recognised the importance of investment in this part of the City and was of the view that it was possible to strike a balance between financial viability and the enhancement of the area’s heritage and cultural character. It was, therefore, calling upon the Council to work with stakeholders to explore alternative design options for the development of the area.       

            Dr. Martire and Mr. Shields were thanked by the Lord Mayor.

            The Council noted the information which had been provided and that it would have an opportunity to discuss the issue later in the meeting.

Moved by Councillor Johnston,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 7th and 14th December be approved and adopted.

Request for a Matter to be Taken

Back for Further Consideration

Motion – Definition of Anti-Semitism

            Councillor Craig requested that the Chairperson agree to that portion of the minute of the meeting of 14th December, under the heading “Motion – Definition of Anti-Semitism”, relating to the definition of anti-Semitism, being taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

     The Chairperson acceded to the request but it was declined by the Council.

Amendment

Motion – Definition of Anti-Semitism

Moved by Councillor Craig,

Seconded by Councillor Long,

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 14th December, under the heading “Motion – Definition of Anti-Semitism”, insofar as it relates to the definition of anti-Semitism, be taken back to the Committee for further consideration. 

            On a vote by show of hands, thirty-three Members voted for the amendment and twenty against and it was declared carried.

Amendment

Revenue Estimates and District Rate 2019-20

Moved by Councillor Long,

Seconded by Alderman Browne,

That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 14th December, under the heading “Revenue Estimates and District Rate 2019-20”, be amended to provide that priority area 7 – Area Based Festivals: £500k, be not included in the Revenue Estimates and that the rise in rates be set at 1.67%.

            On a recorded vote, thirteen Members voted for the amendment and thirty-six against, with five “no votes” and it was declared lost.

Amendment

Revenue Estimates and District Rate 2019-20

Moved by Councillor Attwood,

Seconded by Councillor Lyons,

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 14th December, under the heading “Revenue Estimates and District Rate 2019-20”, be amended to provide that the £500k allocated for priority area 7 – Area Based Festivals be re-allocated to an anti-poverty crisis intervention fund. 

            On a recorded vote, ten Members voted for the amendment and forty-three against and it was declared lost.

Moved by Councillor McCusker,

Seconded by Councillor Baker,  

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 4th December be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Community Support Programme 2018/2019:

Letter of Variance

Moved by Councillor Attwood,

Seconded by Councillor McCusker and

      Resolved - That the decision of the People and Communities Committee of 4th December, under the heading Community Support Programme 2018/2019: Letter of Variance, be rejected and accordingly the Council agrees that Option B, to allocate the additional funding of £42,432 to the Belfast City Wide Tribunal Service, be accepted.

Amendment

Burial Provision Update

Moved by Alderman Sandford,

Seconded by Alderman McCoubrey,

      That the decision of the People and Communities Committee of 4th December, under the heading “Burial Provision Update, be rejected and accordingly the Council agrees not to provide support to the appellant’s application to the Planning Appeals Commission, should that application be made.

            On a vote by show of hands, fifteen Members voted for the amendment and thirty-five against and it was declared lost.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor O’Neill,

Seconded by Councillor Long,

      That the decision of the People and Communities Committee of 4th December, under the heading “Burial Provision Update, be amended to provide that the Council agrees to provide evidence to the Planning Appeals Commission, if required.

            On a vote by show of hands, twenty-one Members voted for the amendment and thirty against and it was declared lost.

Street Naming

            At the request of Alderman Kingston, the Council agreed that clarification be obtained around the proposed spelling of Napoleans Gate.  

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendment and addition, the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 6th November were thereupon approved and adopted. 

Moved by Councillor Lyons,

Seconded by Alderman Kingston and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 28th November and 5th December be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor O’Hara,

Seconded by Councillor Magennis and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 12th December, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Garrett,

Seconded by Councillor Hutchinson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 11th and 13th December, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Applications Referred back to the Committee

(Reconsidered Item) LA04/2018/0040/F, LA04/2018/0047/DCA and LA04/2018/0048/LBC - Demolition, refurbishment, creation of new

floorspace and change of use from King's Hall venue to primary

health care centre and associated works, including boundary treatments

on the Kings Hall and RUAS Site, South Of Upper Lisburn Road/Balmoral Avenue, West of Harberton Park and North-east Of Balmoral Golf Club

            A Member referred to possible issues regarding the above-mentioned applications, which had been approved by the Committee at its meeting on 11th December.

            The City Solicitor indicated that he was aware of those issues and that, in accordance with Section 15 of the Planning Committee’s Operating Protocol, he had referred the applications back to that Committee.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing omission, the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 11th and 13th December were thereupon approved and adopted. 

Moved by Councillor Walsh,

Seconded by Councillor Carson and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Brexit Committee of 6th December be approved and adopted.

Proposed by Councillor Mullan,

Seconded by Alderman Spence,

“This Council notes with concern the impact that inter-generational loneliness and social isolation is having across the City.

The Council recognises the good work already being done in the Council to address these problems but acknowledges that more needs to be done.  Other agencies, such as Age NI, the Red Cross and the Campaign to End Loneliness are also recognising loneliness as a significant emerging issue.

Due to the Northern Ireland Assembly not currently functioning, we are now falling behind other administrations in addressing these problems at an Executive level.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to consider how best it can develop an inter-agency approach to address the problems, including working with partner agencies in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

People and Communities Committee)

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Mullan proposed:

“This Council notes with concern the impact that inter-generational loneliness and social isolation is having across the City.

The Council recognises the good work already being done in the Council to address these problems but acknowledges that more needs to be done.  Other agencies, such as Age NI, the Red Cross and the Campaign to End Loneliness are also recognising loneliness as a significant emerging issue.

Due to the Northern Ireland Assembly not currently functioning, we are now falling behind other administrations in addressing these problems at an Executive level.

Accordingly, the Council agrees to consider how best it can develop an inter-agency approach to address the problems, including working with partner agencies in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.”

            The motion was seconded by Alderman Spence.

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion was referred, without discussion, to the People and Communities Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Reynolds,

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown),

“This Council, whilst welcoming investment and the regeneration of our City, calls upon Castlebrook Investments to drop the Tribeca branding for their City centre regeneration scheme.”

(To be debated by the Council)

            (Prior to this motion being considered, a letter was circulated to Members on behalf of Castlebrooke Investments, the developer, outlining the rationale behind the Tribeca Belfast branding and highlighting the negative message which the motion, if passed, would portray to international investors and the wider business community.) 

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Reynolds proposed:

“This Council, whilst welcoming investment and the regeneration of our City, calls upon Castlebrooke Investments to drop the Tribeca branding for their City centre regeneration scheme.”

            In the absence of the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McDonough-Brown), the motion was seconded by Councillor O’Neill.

The motion was put to the meeting and passed.

At the request of Councillor McAteer, the Council agreed that officers would seek to facilitate a meeting between Elected Members and the developers, the Cathedral Quarter Trust, Save CQ, local businesses and residents and heritage organisations to discuss the Tribeca name and branding.  

Proposed by Councillor Kyle,

Seconded by Councillor Lyons,

“This Council notes the enormous damage which gambling addiction can cause in the lives of individuals, families and communities.  In May 2017, the Department for Communities published a survey, which found a problem gambling prevalence rate of 2.3% in Northern Ireland, a rate over four times higher than in England. Despite this, support for individuals suffering from gambling addiction in NI is almost non-existent.

Furthermore, this Council notes the move by the British Government, under pressure from a cross-party group of MP’s at Westminster, to reduce stakes on fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT’s), a particularly addictive form of gambling, from £100 to £2 in April, 2019.

The Council notes that this decision does not apply to Northern Ireland and, in the absence of an Executive and Assembly, action cannot be taken to reduce the stakes on these terminals.

The Council calls on betting companies operating in Northern Ireland to follow the decision of Ladbrokes to voluntarily reduce the stakes on FOBT machines in this jurisdiction, in line with the rest of the UK. The Council also calls on the Department of Health to review the support given to individuals suffering from gambling addiction and calls for the creation of a dedicated service to address this addiction.

The Council will ask the Department of Health and Department for Communities to meet with an All Party delegation to discuss support for individuals suffering from gambling addiction and the status of FOBT’s.”

(To be debated by the Council)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Kyle proposed:

“This Council notes the enormous damage which gambling addiction can cause in the lives of individuals, families and communities.  In May 2017, the Department for Communities published a survey, which found a problem gambling prevalence rate of 2.3% in Northern Ireland, a rate over four times higher than in England. Despite this, support for individuals suffering from gambling addiction in NI is almost non-existent.

Furthermore, this Council notes the move by the British Government, under pressure from a cross-party group of MP’s at Westminster, to reduce stakes on fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT’s), a particularly addictive form of gambling, from £100 to £2 in April, 2019.

The Council notes that this decision does not apply to Northern Ireland and, in the absence of an Executive and Assembly, action cannot be taken to reduce the stakes on these terminals.

The Council calls on betting companies operating in Northern Ireland to follow the decision of Ladbrokes to voluntarily reduce the stakes on FOBT machines in this jurisdiction, in line with the rest of the UK. The Council also calls on the Department of Health to review the support given to individuals suffering from gambling addiction and calls for the creation of a dedicated service to address this addiction.

The Council will ask the Department of Health and Department for Communities to meet with an All Party delegation to discuss support for individuals suffering from gambling addiction and the status of FOBT’s.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Lyons.

            After discussion, the motion was put to the meeting and passed.

Proposed by Councillor Corr Johnston,

Seconded by Alderman Copeland,

“This Council calls upon the Department for Infrastructure to extend the eligibility criteria for the Half Fare SmartPass scheme to all Universal Credit claimants.” 

(To be debated by the Council)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Corr Johnston proposed:

“This Council calls upon the Department for Infrastructure to extend the eligibility criteria for the Half Fare SmartPass scheme to all Universal Credit claimants.” 

The motion was seconded by Alderman Copeland.

            At the request of Councillor Baker, the proposer agreed to amend her motion to provide for the addition of the following wording “and to authorise the use of the SmartPass on all public transport services, such as the Belfast Taxis Community Interest Company and Shankill Road Taxis.”

Amendment

Moved by Alderman Kingston,

Seconded by Councillor Hussey,

      That the motion under the heading “Half Fare SmartPass Scheme, as amended, be replaced with the following wording: “This Council calls for the immediate restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive so that, among other things, it can consider the possibility of extending the eligibility of the half fare SmartPass scheme to all Universal Credit claimants.”

            On a vote by show of hands, ten Members voted for the amendment and thirty-two against and it was declared lost.

            The original motion, as proposed by Councillor Corr Johnston and seconded by Alderman Copeland, as amended and set out below, was thereupon put to the meeting and passed:

“This Council calls upon the Department for Infrastructure to extend the eligibility criteria for the Half Fare SmartPass scheme to all Universal Credit claimants and to authorise the use of the SmartPass on all public transport services, such as the Belfast Taxis Community Interest Company and Shankill Road Taxis.”

            During debate on the previous motion, the Council’s attention was drawn to the fact that, in accordance with Standing Order 23, any meeting of the Council which has lasted continuously for five hours shall stand adjourned unless the Council shall by resolution decide to continue sitting.

            The Council resolved to continue to sit until the remaining business had been concluded.

Proposed by Councillor Boyle,

Seconded by Councillor Mullan,

“This Council recognises the need for clarity around the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and, in particular, the need for clear guidance to be issued by the Ombudsman’s Office in respect of declarations of interest.” 

(To be debated by the Council)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Boyle proposed:

“This Council recognises the need for clarity around the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and, in particular, the need for clear guidance to be issued by the Ombudsman’s Office in respect of declarations of interest.” 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Mullan.

            Councillor Boyle sought and was granted approval by the Council to amend his motion to reflect that the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards be invited to meet with the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to discuss the issues raised within his motion.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Lyons,

Seconded by Councillor Attwood,

      That the motion under the heading “Councillors’ Code of Conduct”, as amended, be amended to provide for the addition of the following wording “and, in order to increase clarity and transparency and in consideration of many of the public realm projects which the Council undertakes, resolves that each Member will immediately publish on point 6 of their mandatory register of interests the full postal address of each property in which they have a beneficial interest, along with any land in which they have a licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy for twenty-eight days or longer, which is located within the Belfast City Council boundary, with the exception of their permanent home address, for which a postcode will suffice, and that they shall provide/renew this information before the end of each financial year.

            Councillor Boyle confirmed that he did not wish to incorporate the amendment into his motion.    

            The Chief Executive informed the Council that Councillor Lyons’ amendment would, if adopted, be subject to officers confirming that it did not extend beyond the Council’s legal remit, as defined within the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Lord Mayor informed Councillor Boyle that he could, subject to Council approval, request that the motion be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to allow for legal advice to be sought on the amendment which had been proposed by Councillor Lyons.

            Accordingly, it was

              Moved by Councillor Boyle,

              Seconded by Councillor Craig,

      That the Council agrees that the motion standing in his name, as amended, be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to allow for legal advice to be sought on the additional amendment which had been proposed by Councillor Lyons.

            On a recorded vote, forty-two Members voted for the proposal and three against and it was declared carried.

Proposed by Councillor Beattie,

Seconded by Councillor Murphy,

This Council agrees to develop a social value strategy to further social, environmental and economic goals of Belfast City Council.

As far as permissible by Law, this Council should increase the value of social impact clauses at the pre-procurement stage and to include them within the award criteria.

Contracts should be informed by a social needs assessment with consideration given to how social clauses can help address those needs.

Assessments should be conducted with key stakeholders, including members of the public, as appropriate.

The social value strategy should promote more creative use of social clauses to deliver positive social benefits.

Council officials should set up monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the delivery of social clauses at the start of the contract and these should be included in the tender documents.

The social value strategy should be outcome based and used to tackle poverty, particularly within areas of multiple deprivation.

Tackling zero hour contracts and encouraging living wage employment should be central to the strategy.

To achieve the social value strategy, I am proposing that this Council sets up a working group, which will report directly to the Strategic Policy and Resource committee and submit a report within two months.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Beattie proposed:

“This Council agrees to develop a social value strategy to further social, environmental and economic goals of Belfast City Council.

As far as permissible by Law, this Council should increase the value of social impact clauses at the pre-procurement stage and to include them within the award criteria.

Contracts should be informed by a social needs assessment with consideration given to how social clauses can help address those needs.

Assessments should be conducted with key stakeholders, including members of the public, as appropriate.

The social value strategy should promote more creative use of social clauses to deliver positive social benefits.

Council officials should set up monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the delivery of social clauses at the start of the contract and these should be included in the tender documents.

The social value strategy should be outcome based and used to tackle poverty, particularly within areas of multiple deprivation.

Tackling zero hour contracts and encouraging living wage employment should be central to the strategy.

To achieve the social value strategy, I am proposing that this Council sets up a working group, which will report directly to the Strategic Policy and Resource committee and submit a report within two months.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Murphy.

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion was referred, without discussion, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

Proposed by Councillor O’Hara,

Seconded by Councillor Nic Biorna,

“This Council opposes the naming of the new Council leisure facility on the land at Montgomery Road as “The Robinson Centre” and agrees that this facility be renamed in accordance with Council policy.

The naming of any Council facility must be inclusive and welcoming to all.  The previous centre on this land was named “The Robinson Centre” and was within the Castlereagh Borough Council area before the changes in council boundaries when councils reduced in number from twenty-six to eleven.  This is a new facility and must come under existing Council policy.

Belfast City Council’s policy is clear.  A person must be deceased for at least five years before any park or leisure facility can be named after them.”

(To be referred, without discussion, to the

People and Communities Committee)

In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor O’Hara proposed:

“This Council opposes the naming of the new Council leisure facility on the land at Montgomery Road as “The Robinson Centre” and agrees that this facility be renamed in accordance with Council policy.

The naming of any Council facility must be inclusive and welcoming to all.  The previous centre on this land was named “The Robinson Centre” and was within the Castlereagh Borough Council area before the changes in council boundaries when councils reduced in number from twenty-six to eleven.  This is a new facility and must come under existing Council policy.

Belfast City Council’s policy is clear.  A person must be deceased for at least five years before any park or leisure facility can be named after them.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Nic Biorna.

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion was referred, without discussion, to the People and Communities Committee.