Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

1.   Relevant Background Information

      In October 2009, Belfast City Council accepted an invitation from Dublin City Council to play a Gaelic football match. The match took place in Dublin.

      By way of reciprocation it is proposed the Council now seek to invite Dublin City Council to travel to Belfast to play a return fixture.  A date for the match will be set if approval is given by the Council to go ahead, but it is anticipated that this will be in April or May 2011. The invitation is for Belfast City Council to field two teams, a men’s team and a ladies team.

2.   Key Issues

      Advice was previously sought from the then Director of Legal Services in regard to meeting the associated costs.  His advice was to the effect that under the provisions of Section 115 of the Local Government Act (NI) 1972 (the provision which deals with the expenditure for special purposes), Council may make any payment for any purpose which in its opinion is in the interests of, and will bring direct benefit to:

A.the council

B.    its district or any part of its district

C.    the inhabitants of its district or any part of the district

      In accepting the invitation to play both the ladies and men’s matches, in total there would be approximately 30 officers involved.

      Committee is being asked to meet the costs of hosting the teams from Dublin.  In terms of staff time, playing kit and a reception and meal for both teams after the games, it is estimated that the total cost will be in the region of £2,250.

      There are benefits to the Council from staff’s involvement in representing the Council as well as the effect on staff morale and motivation.  There are also wider benefits in terms of the profile of the Council to be gained from the Council’s involvement in this event.

3.   Resource Implications

      Financial

      A breakdown of estimated costs is outlined below;

      Playing kit (30 players)   £1,250

      Reception for all teams £1,250

      Estimate total cost          £2,500

      Human Resources

      In agreeing to this report Committee members are agreeing that officers be allowed time off to participate, outside of normal annual leave.  The games are planned to take place after normal working hours but time off may be required for some shift workers.

4.   Equality and Good Relations Implications

      There are no equality issues as the Council already has a men’s team.  Members of this team were recruited via an article on Interlink.  The ladies team for the Dublin game will be recruited in the same fashion.

5.   Recommendations

      Committee is asked to consider issuing an invitation to Dublin City Council to send both a men’s and women’s team to take part in a Council challenge Gaelic match and to meet the associated estimated costs of £2,250.  Should the Committee agree to issue the invitation it should resolve that the expenditure be approved under Section 115 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, it being the opinion of the Committee that the expenditure would bring benefits to the Council and that the direct benefits would be commensurate with the payment made.

6.   Decision tracking

      Finance and Systems Manager to implement Committee decision.

      Match to be played before 31 May 2010.”

            After discussion it was

Moved by Councillor Hartley,

Seconded by Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín,

      That the Council agrees to extend an invitation to Dublin City Council in respect of Gaelic matches for both men’s and women’s teams and approves the associated costs in accordance with Section 115 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.

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

            Accordingly, the Committee agreed that an invitation be not extended to Dublin City Council.