Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that, during 2008, Groundwork Northern Ireland had, through the European Union Peace III Programme - Building Positive Relations at a Local Level, been awarded £998,000.  The Director reported that the programme, which was operational throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, aimed through regeneration projects to reduce sectarianism and racism.  Groundwork’s programme entitled “Reconciling Communities Through Regeneration” would run until August and had four key objectives:

(i)                  the development of key skills for peace and the creation of opportunities for inter-group dialogue, cross-community relationship building and networking;

(ii)                working strategically with the Peace III clusters;

(iii)               building positive relationships at a local level in order to achieve positive change; and

(iv)              addressing contested physical space issues, with the aim of regenerating those spaces and removing the physical manifestations of segregation.

            The Director reported that, following consultation with the Council and representatives from the Tiger’s Bay, Mountcollyer, Parkside and Newington areas and, as part of its Regional Programme, Groundwork had proposed the Alexandra Park as a specific project.  This was in addition to the project work which the Council was initiating at the site, such as the People in Parks Youth Intervention and the Anti-Social Behaviour Programmes.  It would complement also other ongoing work by the Council on good relations, community safety and the proposals within the Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plan for the area and would dovetail with the Council’s proposals for the promotion of shared space within the City.

            The Director advised the Committee that a Steering Group had been established during 2009 to improve usage and develop regeneration proposals for the Park.  Those proposals had been developed with representatives from the Council, the Department of Justice, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and had subsequently been approved by the Parks and Leisure Committee at its meeting on 11th November, 2010.

            Alongside ongoing discussions and dialogue with community representatives, Groundwork Northern Ireland had conducted a survey to gauge residents’ opinions in relation to enhancing access to the existing peace line and the side entrance to the Park.  The results of the survey had indicated that 92% of respondents would like to see increased access at the interface wall and that 91.5% of respondents would like to see increased access at Alexandra Park.  The Department of Justice which owned the wall had indicated that it would be willing to meet the costs associated with the purchase and installation of a gate within the walled structure of the Park.  It had been proposed that, on a pilot basis, there would be a negotiated opening and closing time of 9.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.  However, it was envisaged that the gate would remain locked until such time as the community felt sufficiently confident to pilot opening hours.  There was unanimous support for those proposals from the Steering Group and various community groups.  The Director recommended that, in order to enable the proposed pilot to be instigated, the Committee authorise the installation of the gate at the wall during the summer period.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.