Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that there were a number of exciting Maritime developments underway, including the construction of the Titanic Signature Project, which was scheduled to open by April, 2012, the restoration of the Nomadic and the opening of the barge “Confiance” as an interpretative centre in early September by the charity Lagan Legacy.  There were also a number of significant tourism initiatives which were making Belfast’s Titanic and wider Maritime heritage more accessible to visitors.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives stated that the Council, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Department for Social Development, had commissioned a study to map current assets and provision in the area of Maritime and Titanic heritage, but to look also at possible future developments and provision.  The contract had been awarded to a consortium incorporating CHL Consulting, Colin Stutt Consulting and FM Planning, whose expertise covered a wide range of areas.  A draft report had now been received and the suggested measures included:

·         ensuring Titanic-related projects provided a coherent visitor experience by 2012;

·         the development of a more co-ordinated approach, including possible joint ticketing among attractions;

·         small-scale development of certain key locations in order to improve both access and understanding – particularly the Clarendon Dock and Sailortown where earlier and more diverse stories could be told;

·         more emphasis on animating the river itself – in order to be recognised as a Maritime heritage destination, Belfast must offer more water-based experiences, including the completion of the SS Nomadic, the barge “Confiance” and possibly the HMS Caroline;

·         the development of an integrated signage strategy, with improvements to the Titanic Quarter access, crucially including public transport; and

·         longer term actions to include possibly the preservation of shipyard steam cranes, access to the Samson or Goliath cranes, a water taxi service and a footbridge linking the Abercorn Basin with Clarendon Dock.

            The consultants had made a presentation of their work to a group which included the commissioning bodies and the permanent secretaries of the Departments of Trade and Industry and of Culture, Arts and Leisure.  Both the work itself and the underlying approach had been enthusiastically welcomed.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that the HMS Caroline was due to be decommissioned and passed into the ownership of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the trustees of which would make a decision as to whether the ship should remain in Belfast or be transferred to Portsmouth.  In either case, it was intended that the ship would become a heritage asset and a tourist attraction.  The HMS Caroline had been in Belfast since 1924 and was of very considerable historical importance being ranked second on the navy’s list to HMS Victory.  She had fought in the only major naval battle of World War I and, whilst in Belfast, had played a key part in World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic.  Her centenary and that of the start of World War I would take place in 2014.

            She explained that the draft Maritime Heritage Study had recommended that the HMS Caroline remain in Belfast but had acknowledged that there were associated capital and annual revenue costs.  The Council had written to the National Museum of the Royal Navy to explain that work had commenced on the Maritime Study and that time was required to reach a decision on whether or not a request would be made to keep the ship in Belfast.  The Council had requested until March, 2011 to allow for central government and the Council to consider this in the context of strategic priorities and budget availability.  Confirmation was still awaited as to whether or not that would be an acceptable timeframe.

            Accordingly, it was recommended that the Committee agrees:

(i)    to note the recommendations contained within the draft report and that a final version would be submitted to the Committee for agreement;

(ii)    that officers continue to collaborate in the area of maritime and titanic heritage;

(iii)   that officers, together with a range of stakeholders, continue to investigate the feasibility of retaining the HMS Caroline in Belfast and identify the costs which might be involved, with a view to a report being submitted to the Committee in December; and

(iv)  that a site visit to the Titanic Signature Project be undertaken on a date to be agreed in consultation with the Chairman.

            The Committee adopted the recommendations and agreed that, if possible, a visit to the Painthall Studies be included within the site visit to the Titanic Signature Project.