Agenda item

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            The purpose of this paper is to set out, for Committee approval, proposed governance arrangements to oversee the delivery of the Belfast Agenda.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Approve the proposed governance model for the Belfast Agenda as summarised below and set out in detail at Appendix 1.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Purpose of Governance Arrangements

3.1.1    The Belfast Agenda was created by a partnership of key city partners, residents and community organisations. It sets out a clear, joint vision and long-term ambitions for Belfast’s future. 

3.1.2    The Council now needs to implement ‘fit for purpose’ governance arrangements to deliver the Agenda and secure continuous improvement.  With this in mind, a proposed governance model has been developed, aimed at ensuring that there is effective partnership working, focus, direction, decision making and oversight of the ongoing development and delivery of the Belfast Agenda. 

3.2       Proposed Governance Model

3.2.1    The proposed governance model is attached at Appendix 1 of this report:  The key elements of the model are as follows:

·        Formal Council governance will be via Strategic Policy & Resources Committee, the Corporate Management Team and four underpinning boards, reflecting the 4 priority areas of the Belfast Agenda, chaired by a nominated Senior Responsible Officer (SRO).

·        Formal partnership governance of the Belfast Agenda will be via the Belfast Community Planning Partnership and the SROs will be accountable to the Community Planning Partnership (CPP). The CPP will provide overarching oversight, guidance and strategic direction for the Community Planning process in Belfast to ensure that objectives of the Belfast Agenda are achieved and compliance with statutory obligations for community planning.

·        Each SRO will have a Portfolio Management support from the Strategic Hub, which will manage the overall delivery of outcomes and inclusive growth for their 2017-2021 Priorities.  Board membership will be flexible; the SRO will be guided by the need for delivery of outcomes against priorities rather than rigid structures.

·        There will be clear terms of reference for the proposed boards based on those shown in Appendix 1.

·        Where possible, partnership delivery will be achieved through existing organisations and/or existing partnerships towards the achievement of Belfast Agenda outcomes.  It may also be necessary to establish new partnerships, such as time-bound task and finish groups.

·        The governance arrangements will be implemented on a phased basis, with the first SRO-led Board established in September 2018 to oversee delivery of the ‘Living Here’ strand of the Belfast Agenda, with the remaining Boards being established shortly thereafter. The governance arrangements will also be kept under review.

·        No changes to the Council’s financial decision-making arrangements are proposed at this stage.

3.3       Implications for Committee

3.3.1    The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee has a key role to play in the successful implementation of the Belfast Agenda.  As part of the Belfast Agenda governance arrangements, it is proposed that a special Strategic Policy and Resources Committee is convened each quarter to focus on the Committee’s existing responsibilities as follows:

·        setting the strategic direction of the Council through the development of its corporate plan and other key corporate and cross cutting strategies and policy;

·        working with partners to lead the development of the community plan;

·        managing and monitoring performance against the achievement of the Council objectives (agreed in the Corporate Plan) and those agreed in the community plan, including those aspects of the plans relating to inclusive growth; and

·        developing the Council’s organisational development strategy and all matters relating to its implementation including: governance and organisational structures, organisational improvement initiatives, member and officer capacity building and monitoring of organisational performance.

3.3.2    The first specific (special) SP&R Belfast Agenda Committee meeting is proposed for December 2018. 

3.3.3    No changes are proposed to the structure or terms of reference of the Council’s other standing committees are proposed; Standing Committees will be furnished with reports on the progress of relevant Belfast Agenda related activity, issues and outcomes.

3.4       Financial and Resource Implications

3.4.1    The Strategic Hub will support the new governance model / structure, when fully resourced. The Hub will ensure that relevant Board and Committee meetings are properly planned, with clear agendas and information to ensure focus.

3.4.2    BCC funding in relation to the Belfast Agenda is currently agreed as part of the departmental estimates process, with agreed budgets captured in departmental or corporate priority budgets. All emerging proposals for budget / resources will be considered using existing mechanisms.

3.5       Equality or Good Relations Implications/

Rural Needs Assessment

3.5.1    None.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.