Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme covers projects under a range of funding streams including the Capital Programme, the Leisure Transformation Programme, LIF, BIF, the Social Outcomes Fund and the projects which the Council is delivering on behalf of other agencies. This paper provides an update for Members on the Physical Programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

            General

·        note the achievements under the physical programme over the last quarter as outlined in 3.1 and that, given the both the current scale of the programme and the number of new Members, that a tour of a number of physical projects (both completed or underway) is being scheduled for all Members. All Members are encouraged to take up this opportunity (see 3.2).

Proposed movements on/additions to the Capital Programme

·        agree that the Navarra Place project is moved to Stage 3- Committed on the Capital Programme. It is recommended that this is held at ‘Tier 0 – Schemes at Risk’ pending confirmation of funding from the DoJ, agreement on the land transfer from NIHE and a satisfactory tender return.  Members are further asked to agree that the necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

·        Physical Programme 2018/2019 and beyond

·        note the challenges and implications for the Physical Programme moving forward and agree that a series of Party Group briefings are undertaken on the Physical Programme, its links to the Council’s strategic agenda and the future financing strategy are undertaken.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial physical programme covering over 200 projects under a range of funding streams including the capital programme, BIF and LIF together with the projects that it is delivering on behalf of other agencies including the Executive Office and the Department for Communities. There are currently approx. 200 ‘live’ projects on the physical programme worth in excess of £300m which makes it not only a significant programme from a Council perspective but also one of the biggest regeneration programmes in the city.

3.2       It is proposed that, given the both the current scale of the programme and the number of new Members, that a tour of a number of physical projects (both completed and  underway) across the city is scheduled for all Members. It is likely that this will take place in August/September and ideally will be scheduled for a Saturday morning. Details will be communicated in due course and all Members are encouraged to take up this opportunity.

3.3       Members are asked to note that there have been significant achievements under the physical programme in the last couple of months –

·        RICS Northern Ireland Project of the Year – the Council was awarded the prestigious RICS Project of the Year in Northern Ireland for the £3.7m redevelopment and upgrade of the Tropical Ravine.  The highly acclaimed Project of the Year title is presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area. In awarding this, the RICS judges noted that “The Tropical Ravine was unanimously supported as Project of the Year. Its sensitive conservation approach was professional, and the partnership created of caring community groups and the Heritage Lottery Fund added strength and injected a variety of views, often conflicting, and aspirations which collectively have transformed this neglected overgrown corner of Botanic Gardens into a visitor attraction with an amazing story to be absorbed at leisure”.  In addition the judging panel highlighted that “Many visitors to Botanic Gardens in past years would not have known this Victorian building had existed for 120 years. Belfast City Council, Friends of Botanic and the Heritage Lottery Fund have transformed this unique national treasure and propelled it into the 21st century. The story it now tells, and welcomes you to share in, is a model of best practice.”

·        Significantly Members are asked to note that this is the second year in a row that the Council has won RICS Project of the Year with Girdwood Community Hub winning the accolade in 2017.  This is a huge acclamation of the Council and the key role that officers, from across all Departments in the Council, played in making these projects happen.

·        Official opening of the new £21.75m Olympia - The new £21.75m Olympia was officially opened on 21^st June. This followed the opening of the new leisure facility last year and marked the end of over three years work on the site.  The new outdoor facilities opened yesterday include a 3G pitch, MUGA, playground, boulevard way leading in off Boucher Road and a new pedestrian entrance off Olympia Drive together with a new art pieces. The success of Olympia is evident in its usage figures which have seen a 78% increase in footfall, a 50% rise in adult gym memberships and a 250% rise in the number of children taking part in the swim school.

·        Completion of the £15m Playing Pitches Strategy – Members will recall that in 2012 a Playing Pitches Strategy for the city was agreed.  Under this the Council invested £14m in 10 new playing pitches and pavilions across the city while the GAA provided match funding of £1m. The new 3G pitch and pavilion at Falls Park has recently been completed with the final pitch at Cherryvale due to complete next month.  This is the culmination of the programme which has seen facilities at –

            Proposed movements on/additions to the Capital Programme 

3.4       Members have previously agreed that all capital projects must go through a 3 Stage process where decisions on which projects progress are taken by SP&R. Members are asked to agree to the following movements on the Capital Programme -

            Move to Stage 3 – Committed

3.5       Navarra Place – Navarra Place is a small area located off the Whitewell Road in the north at a community interface. This proposal is for the development of a new playground, MUGA and the removal of an interface structure at the boundary with Serpentine Road.  Although owned by the NIHE, the Council built a playground on the site in 2006 and has operated the playground and maintained the land since this time. The Council is currently in the process of agreeing the land transfer from NIHE and the project is contingent on this land being transferred. Members are asked to note that DoJ have committed 50% match funding to this project and a letter of offer is currently awaited.

3.6       It is recommended that the Navarra Place project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme but that this is held at Tier 0 – Schemes at Risk pending confirmation of funding from the DoJ, agreement on the land transfer from NIHE and a satisfactory tender return.  At this stage the final budget will be brought back to Committee for sign-off and confirmation that it is within the affordability limits of the Council. In addition, Members are asked to agree that the necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver for the above projects as required. 

            Physical Programme 2018/2019 and beyond  

3.7       Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial physical programme under a range of funding streams.  As at 18^th June this compromised 197 live projects across 7 funding streams (Cap Prog, LTP, LIF, BIF, UV, BSC, SIF, etc) as well as the projects which the Council is delivering on behalf of other organisations. Members will be aware that the Council is increasingly becoming the agent of choice for a number of central government departments including the Executive Office. Delivering these projects, while a recognition of both the successful track record of the Council as a delivery agent for capital projects and also the uniquely placed role of the Council as a civic leader in the city, also bring with them their own risks and issues. The breakdown of the  current physical programme is shown below –

3.8       Members will appreciate that the Council’s physical programme is one of the most important programmes delivered by the Council and due to the nature of capital projects it is also one of the most visible and easily recognisable signs of the Council’s civic leadership role in the city.  Moving forward the Council will face two key challenges in respect of the capital programme. These are:

·        The capital financing budget will soon come under pressure if all the projects currently in the programme are to be delivered.

·        The need to ensure that Investment decisions are taken within the context of strategic alignment with the Belfast Agenda and in full consideration of what assets already exist in an area and how these are being used

3.9       Given the implications of this, it is recommended a series of Party Group briefings are undertaken on the Physical Programme, its links to the Council’s strategic agenda and the future financing strategy are undertaken. In order to maximise the benefit of these Briefings it is recommended that all Members avail of the opportunity to undertake the tour of the projects which is being scheduled (see 3.2 above).  This will help set the Programme in context for Members. This will take place before the Briefings.

3.10      Financial & Resource Implications

            Financial – Navarra Place is being held at ‘Tier 0 -Scheme at risk’ pending confirmation of funding form DOJ, agreement on the transfer of NIHE site and satisfactory tender return.

            Resources – Resources from Property & Projects and appropriate departments in working up proposals in conjunction with groups.

3.11      Equality or Good Relations Implications

            All capital projects are screened as part of the stage approval process.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.