Agenda item

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Belfast is now a member of the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) program, and, as a member, will receive funding to appoint a Commissioner for Resilience who will champion the development and implementation of a Belfast resilience strategy.

1.2       This senior role, reporting to the Chief Executive, will be fully funded by 100RC for an initial two year period. After this period Belfast City Council and 100RC will carry out a substantial review of the role (to align with the Resilience Strategy’s recommendations) with the intention of creating a revised permanent post within Council.

1.3       The Council, with logistic and recruitment support from 100RC, now wish to begin a global ‘Executive Search’ recruitment process to appoint a suitable candidate for what is likely to be a high profile and demanding role.

1.4       In addition, as part of our 100RC membership, international consultants Ricardo Energy & Environment, have been appointed to develop an evaluation framework to support the wider resilience work program including the work of the Commissioner.  This will begin with a baseline study to be carried out from August 2017 and engagement with a wide spectrum of relevant stakeholders, including Elected Members.

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to consider the following:

1.     To give approval to proceed with the Executive Search for Commissioner for Resilience including providing delegated authority to the Chief Executive and/or Deputy Chief Executive to participate, along with 100RC, in the recruitment of the Commissioner.

2.     To note the initiation of the baseline study and the opportunity for Elected Members to engage in the development of the evaluation framework.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1      Rockefeller Foundation’s ‘100 Resilient Cities’ programme provides expert support to cities across the world to help them understand and prepare for future social, economic and environmental shocks and stresses. These issues could range from coastal flooding, to mass unemployment, transport issues, social unrest, or infrastructure failure.

3.2       Each participating city is offered access to a global network of resilience experts, practical solutions, service providers, and consultancy partners. 100RC also provides funding for a ‘Commissioner for Resilience’ to work with stakeholders to develop a resilience strategy which will be embedded within wider city planning processes. Locally, the resilience strategy will align closely to the Belfast Agenda’s economic growth outcomes.

3.3       Belfast is now in a position to work with 100RC to recruit the Commissioner for Resilience. This will be a significant strategic role within Council, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. With logistical and expert advice from 100RC in New York, the Council will undertake a global executive search process for the position. It is proposed that, with delegated authority, the Chief Executive (and Deputy Chief Executive) will work with colleagues from 100 Resilience Cities to carry out the recruitment process.

3.4       The post will be fully funded by 100 Resilient Cities for an initial two years. After this period Belfast City Council and 100RC will carry out a substantial review of the role (to align it with the new Resilience Strategy’s recommendations) with the intention of creating a revised permanent post within Council.

3.5       In a related strand of work, international consultants, Ricardo Energy & Environment, have been appointed by 100RC to develop an evaluation framework for Belfast. Work on this will begin in August 2017 with a baseline study and the consultants will engage with a wide spectrum of relevant stakeholders, including Elected Members.

3.6       Financial & Resource Implications

             In addition, to fully funding the Commissioner role for two years, 100RC will also support wider work to develop and implement the resilience strategy. This includes:

-       Access to international consultancy expertise in Year 1 to the approximate value of $240,000.

-       Funding for the launch and publication of the Belfast resilience strategy.

-       Capacity building, training and global networking programme for the Commissioner

-       In the second year, the Commissioner will be able draw on expertise from a range of 100RC consultancy partners up to a potential value of up to $5,000,000.

            It is envisioned that the Commissioner will draw upon a number of existing Council resources in the delivery of his or her work including officers from the planned Strategic hub and the Smart Belfast team.

3.7       Equality or Good Relations Implications

            Equality and good relations implications, in relation to this policy, are still under consideration. Further updates will be sent to the Equality and Diversity Officer in due course.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.