Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

 

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

 

1.1       To obtain agreement on a way forward in regard to various motions regarding celebratory and /or commemorative stained glass windows in City Hall.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       The Committee is asked to

 

·        decide which windows, if any, it wishes to go forward with,

·        agree to establish the relevant subject matter working groups as required;  and

·        decide on location and budget.

 

3.0       Main report

 

            Key Issues

 

3.1       The current situation in regard to stained glass celebratory / commemorative windows in City Hall and original historic windows is as follows:

 

·        On the ground floor, there are 12 ‘themed’ stained glass windows. All but one of these are in areas of the City Hall considered as public areas. The ‘Women’s History’ window is just beyond the doors and the point where security ask visitors to register before going to BDM (North West corridor).

·        On the first floor, there are 3 themed windows on the Rotunda and then a further 46 historic windows original to the building across the Chamber, Function Rooms and 2 main staircases. There is also a number in non-accessible areas such as Whispering Gallery, kitchens, parlour etc.

 

3.2       The various themed categories of the 15 windows installed since the building opened in 1906 can be categorised as follows:

 

            Celebratory;

 

·        City Hall Centenary 2006

·        Celtic Myths & Legends 2012

·        Women’s History 2016

 

            Commemorative;

 

·        Pathways 2005

·        Famine 1999

·        Dockers Strike 2007

·        Spanish Civil War 2015

·        Sir Crawford McCullagh 1951

·        Lady McCullagh 1951

 

            Military/ Security Forces

 

·        North Irish Horse WW1 1925

·        North Irish Horse WW2 1962

·        King’s Tribute 1920

·        RUC 1999

·        British Army 1993

·        UDR 1992

 

3.3       There is no particular order to the display of windows but on the ground floor working from East to West the unveiling years were [2006, 2005, 1999, 2007, 2012, 2015, 1925, 1962, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2016] with colours relating to themes in paragraph 3.2.

 

3.4       There have been four notices of motion regarding stained glass windows in recent years a number of which are outstanding primarily due to a lack of focus in terms of the groups following these up or lack of referral to a specific officer.  PGL has since tasked me with drafting this paper to resolve outstanding issues. 

 

3.5       In essence a summary of the four proposed windows is set out below:

 

·        Recognition of the Health Service in Belfast was referred to the Diversity Working Group in May 2016. The Group made no specific proposals for this window but agreed it should be part of a discussion on City Hall grounds. It was discussed at a Review of City Hall Grounds meeting on 30 September 2016 but no definitive action was agreed at that time. The Diversity Group was abolished after its last meeting in September 2016 and no specific political discussion has taken place since regarding this matter.

·        The concept of a window to celebrate the contribution that sport has made to Belfast and to Northern Ireland was referred to Diversity Working Group in June 2015 but deferred due to the development of sports heroes section in the City Hall memorabilia exhibition.

·        The acknowledgement of the positive role which the LGBT community plays in our city....etc does not seem to have been picked up by any particular section or group.

·        The 321 Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company is another outstanding notice of motion on which it has been difficult to implement.

 

3.6       In addition there is an outstanding proposal for some form of memorial to the Fire Brigades Union and although a window has not been specified it may be useful to also address this matter at this particular point.

 

3.7       In terms of availability of windows there is only one window in areas normally accessible to the public which is in the corner previously occupied by the reception desk. The ‘window’ in question is quite large equivalent in size to the North Irish Horse window on the opposite side of the grand staircase.

 

3.8       There are also a number of windows available on the ground floor opposite the elevator and along the West corridor opposite the various Party Rooms. There are also 16 clear windows at first floor level some of which are on the route of the guided tours of the building.

 

3.9       Financial & Resource Implications

 

            Financial – No budget has been agreed for any proposed works on stained glass windows

 

            Resources – Officer time as required to work up proposals

 

3.10      Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

 

            None at present.”

 

            After discussion, it was

 

Moved by Councillor Campbell,

Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

 

      That the Committee agrees to proceed with the stained glass window to acknowledge the positive role that the LGBT community played in this city.

 

Amendment

 

Moved by Councillor Graham,

Seconded by Councillor Craig,

 

      That the Committee agrees that an options paper be prepared in relation to the projects outlined in the report and that it be considered in the first instance by the Party Group Leaders

 

            On a vote by show of hands four members voted for the amendment and eight against and it was declared lost.

 

            The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor Campbell and seconded by Councillor Beattie was put to the meeting when eight Members voted for and four against and it was declared carried.

 

            Accordingly, the Committee agreed that an all-Party working group be established to progress the LGBT stained glass window.

 

            It was agreed also that an options paper be prepared in relation to the remaining projects outlined in the report to be developed in line with the ongoing work in relation to the City Hall grounds.