Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of the report is to update Elected Members on funding provided from within departmental revenue estimates to partner organisations to support their work in the 19/20 financial year.

1.2       Council has partnership working arrangements with a range of organisations which share common objectives.  In previous years, those requests for funding have been approved by People and Communities Committee on a case by case basis.  However, given the changing context and ongoing financial pressures these requests are being presented collectively for consideration.

1.3       Committee may wish to note that at its meeting in March 2019, Members agreed to continue with a partner financial contribution to Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful for the ‘Live Here, Love Here’ Campaign and ‘Eco Schools’ Project to the value of £55,000 but on the condition a value for money/outcomes review was undertaken.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       To seek authority from Committee;

·        to commence a review of the ongoing financial contributions to each of these partner organisations focussed on alignment with the Belfast Agenda outcomes and value for money.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland (ORNI)

            The Council wishes to promote the use of Mountain Bike Trails and Jump Parks at Barnett Demesne and Mary Peters Track to ensure the facility is well used, contributing health and well-being by encouraging active lifestyles.  This is a well-used facility with over 45,000 uses per year on the Barnett’s Mountain Bike Trails and Dirt Jumps.

3.2       The marketing campaigns and website management by ORNI create and manage advertising in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland to ensure tourists are aware of the trails available at Barnett’s Demesne and Mary Peters Track as well as providing valuable updates on trail closures, conditions and events.

3.3       The funding provided by Belfast City Council is £5,000 towards the cost of promotion, support and liaison with consortium partners to ensure a collaborative approach providing mutual benefits for the mountain bike trail centres in Northern Ireland.  Provision has been made in the departmental revenue budgets for this contribution since 2013/2014.

3.4       The funding provided is based on full support from each stakeholder with match funding being provided by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Mid Ulster District Council for Trail Centres in their areas.

3.5       Belfast Healthy Cities (BHC)

            Belfast Healthy Cities (BHC) was established in 1988 and is part of the World Health Organisation Healthy Cities Network.  Its aim is to work with statutory, community and voluntary partners to make Belfast a more healthy, equitable and sustainable city.   Its involvement in the WHO Healthy Cities Network enables Belfast to connect and learn about health and wellbeing policy and practice from across the world.  Preparation is currently underway to make an application for Phase VII of World Healthy Cities and Officers are working with Belfast Healthy Cities to ensure full alignment with the Belfast Agenda.

3.6       Council has been supporting Belfast Healthy Cities annually since its inception with the most recent award being £81,294 provided for within the annual revenue estimates.  Belfast Healthy Cities is funded by other statutory organisations, including the Public Health Agency and Belfast Trust.

3.7       Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP)

            The Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP) is a partnership between Belfast City Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the Department of Communities and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).  Belfast City Council has funded LVRP since its inception in 1967 and, along with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, are its main funders. 

3.8       People & Communities Committee at its meeting on 12 May 2015, approved funding of £41,055 for 2015/16 and provision has been made in revenue budgets at this level since then.  The NIEA provides funding to LVRP but at a reduced level and there remains uncertainty around central government funding.  Following representation to Belfast City Council, a one off non-recurring additional award of £25,000 was made to LVRP for the 19/20 financial year, bringing the total award for 19/20 to £66,055.

3.9       Belfast Hills Partnership (BHP)

            The Belfast Hills Partnership (BHP) brings together a divergent range of partners from local government, environmental groups, quarry and farming representatives and local communities with the joint aim of protecting this valuable resource on the perimeter of North and West Belfast.  The Council has supported BHP since its inception in 2003/4 and the Parks & Leisure Committee at its meeting on 14 April 2011, approved its annual funding of £36,900.  Provision has been made in revenue budgets at this level since then.

3.10      This partnership has in turn generated much needed investment in the landscape and infrastructure within our parks.  This ranged from the construction of new paths in Ligoniel and Cave Hill Country Park and an orienteering course in Belfast Castle Estate to heritage interpretation, visitor counters, habitat mapping and numerous events. 

3.11      Changing Context

            Given the changing context with the development of the Belfast Agenda and associated community planning implementation mechanisms as well as continued pressure on Council finances, it is recommended that Council uses the 19/20 financial year to undertake a review of its ongoing partnership arrangements with a focus on alignment with the Belfast Agenda and value for money.

3.12      The review will be commissioned externally and is focussed only on Council’s contribution to the identified organisations.  Recommendations from the review are expected in autumn 2019 at which time further Committee consideration may be required.

3.13      Financial & Resource Implications

            All of the above has been budgeted for within existing departmental revenue estimates for 19/20.

3.14      Equality or Good Relations Implications /Rural Needs Assessments

            There are no known equality, rural needs issues, however this will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.