Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme covers over 150 live regeneration projects across a range of funding streams including the Capital Programme, Leisure Transformation Programme, Belfast Investment Fund, Local Investment Fund, Social Outcomes Fund and the projects which the Council is delivering on behalf of other agencies. This report highlights projects recommended to be move through the approval stages.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

            Proposed movement

·        agree that the Boodles Dam abandonment and redevelopment project is moved to Stage 3- Committed on the Capital Programme. It is however recommended that this be held at Pre-Tender Stage pending planning approval and the tender return price at which stage the final budget will be brought back to Committee. Members are further asked to agree that the necessary procurement processes be initiated as required with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver  

            Externally funded programme

·        agree to the request by DFC to administer its Access and Inclusion Capital Programme 2019/20 in the Belfast City Council area.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Proposed Movements – Capital Programme

            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. This provides assurance as to the level of financial control and will allow Members to properly consider the opportunity costs of approving one capital project over another capital project. Members are asked to agree to the following movement on the Capital Programme

            Any project which is being moved from Stage 2 to Stage 3 under the Capital Programme is required as part of the Council three stage approval process to complete an Outline Business Case (OBC). 

3.2       Project Update – Boodles Dam  

            Members will be aware that in August 2016 the Committee agreed to move Boodles Dam project to Stage 2- Uncommitted. Members have been previously updated that a Section 10 safety report has set out a recommendation for Boodles Dam to be abandoned due to the risk of a landslip from the landfill and park on the adjacent western slope.  The Dam has a heavily populated urban development downstream, and as a result is defined as a Category A reservoir and as such carries requirements for the Council under the Reservoir Safety Act. The most recent monitoring survey (Ligoniel Park - 2019 Ground Movement Survey) undertaken in July 2019 provides evidence of ongoing movement of the ground uphill of the dam and therefore in order to ensure that the Council complies with its statutory requirements under the Reservoirs Safety Act works to Boodles Dam must now be undertaken.  

3.3       Members are asked to note that the OBC for the Boodles Dam project has been completed and reviewed internally and found to be consistent with the required abilities (feasibility, affordability, deliverability, sustainability, strategic fit. The proposed scope of the project includes works to address Section 10 Report requirements along with some wider environmental improvements and upgrades including paths, landscaping and new fencing. This ensures the council meets its statutory obligations with respect to the management of reservoirs. In addition it will open up the site up for community use as an amenity.

3.4       Members are also asked to note that this project is linked to the Reservoir Safety Programme (currently at Stage 2- Uncommitted project) a city wide initiatives which look at the council’s responsibility for the management of reservoirs that retain over 10,000m³ of water above natural ground level. These reservoirs includes the Waterworks Upper and Lower, Alexandra Park and Half Moon Lake. Monitoring of these reservoirs is ongoing in line with our requirements under the Act. Following these monitoring regimes, future works and requirements will be identified and an OBC will be prepared. 

3.5       In order to comply with its statutory requirements under the Reservoirs Safety Act it is therefore recommended that the Boodles Dam project be moved to Stage 3- Committed on the Capital Programme. It is however recommended that this be held at Pre-tender stage pending planning approval and the tender return price. At this stage the final budget will be brought back to the Committee for sign-off and confirmation that is within the affordability limits of the Council. Members are further asked to agree that the necessary procurement process be initiated as required with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

3.6       Delivery of externally funded programme – DfC Access and Inclusion

            All local councils in NI have been approached again by DfC to request that they administer the DfC Access and Inclusion Capital Programme 2019/20 within their respective local council areas. The Council acted as the lead management partner for the 18/19 Access and Inclusion Fund within Belfast. This programme supports small-scale capital investments up to £30,000 and aims to improve access to arts and cultural activities, including leisure and recreation facilities, by people with disabilities. The Council is eligible to apply for support as well as community groups and arts and cultural venues, where demonstrable need is evidenced. The available budget across the 11 council areas is £500,000.  The Belfast programme will be administered by the Place and Economy Dept, in line with the process initiated in 2018/19, with support from the Physical Programmes Dept.

3.7       Financial & Resource Implications

            Financial –- Boodles Dam abandonment and redevelopment – as above

            DFC Access and Inclusion Fund - There is no requirement for match-funding from Council. The funding will be provided by DfC up to a maximum of £30,000 per eligible project. The total available funding across NI is £500,000.

            Resources – Officer time to deliver as required

3.8       Equality or Good Relations Implications/ Rural Needs Assessment

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

            DFC Access and Inclusion Fund – working closely with the Council’s Equality Unit and DFC to ensure positive equality implications which is the central component of the Fund.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.