Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek approval from Members to host events in our parks, namely:

·        Request for Both Lives Matter to hold a ‘Both Lives Matter Demonstration’ at

·        Falls Park on Sunday 13 October 2019.

·        Request for MACS NI to hold a Sleep Out event at Victoria Park on Thursday 14 November 2019.

·        Request for Street Soccer NI to hold a Sleep Out event at CS Lewis Square on Friday 24 January 2019.

            Both Sleep Out events will take place outside normal park opening hours and will require the closure of part of the facility.

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to:

·        Grant authority for these events to take place at these locations by these organisations;

·        Grant authority for any subsequent, annual charity Sleep Out events at these locations by these organisations; and

·        Authorise the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services to approve the ‘Both Lives Matter Demonstration’ under the Council scheme of delegation, due to the late application with the event taking place before the Committee decision can be ratified at the November meeting of Council;

·        For each event. grant authority to the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services subject to satisfactory terms being agreed and on condition that the Event Organiser:

·        completes the appropriate Event Management Plans;

·        resolves all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

·        meets all statutory requirements including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, and licensing responsibilities; and

·        shall consult with adjoining public bodies and local communities, as necessary.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

·        Request for Both Lives Matter to hold a ‘Both Lives Matter Demonstration’ at Falls Park.

o   A request has been received week commencing 23rd September 2019 from Both Lives Matter to hold a ‘Both Lives Matter Demonstration’ at Falls Park on Sunday 13 October 2019 from 3 - 6pm

o   Both Lives Matter has four primary aims: to reframe the abortion debate in Northern Ireland and beyond; to advocate for better care in pregnancy crisis; to create a life-affirming culture that values each woman and her unborn child; and to safeguard the current law which protects both women and unborn children.

o   The purpose of the event is to have a cross-community, inter-generational, peaceful protest march against the proposed imposition of liberalised abortion laws on Northern Ireland.  There will be no charge to participants. 

·        Request for MACS NI to hold a Sleep Out event at Victoria Park in the Connswater Community Greenway Marquee.

o   A request has been received from MACS NI, an organisation that provides a range of support services for children and young people in Northern Ireland who haven’t had a fair deal in relation to housing, homelessness, mental health and participation, to hold a Sleep Out event at Victoria Park on Thursday 14 November 2019 in the Connswater Community Greenway marquee.  Set up of the event will take place at 2pm and it will be dismantled by 10am on Friday 15 November 2019.

o   MACS NI is part of a national campaign with other charities across the UK to end homelessness. This Sleep Out event will raise awareness and funds for vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

o   The event will not have an admission charge, registration will be done on site and online.  The charity will be collecting donations during the event.

o   The event will include food vendors, live music and street entertainment.  The event organiser will provide marquees/gazebos, stewards, toilets and will arrange pitch hire and electricity for their event.

·        Request for Street Soccer NI to hold a Sleep Out event at CS Lewis Square.  

o   A request has been received from Street Soccer NI to hold a Sleep Out event at CS Lewis Square on Friday 24 January 2020.  Set up of the event will take place at 5pm and it will be dismantled by 12 noon on Saturday 25 January 2020. 

o   Street Soccer NI tackles homelessness through providing employment and housing support, built around football activities and working with some of our societies’ most excluded and vulnerable people.  This event will raise awareness of homelessness by getting participants to experience sleeping out, whilst raising sponsorship for the charity. 

o   The event will have an admission charge of £20 and registration will be completed online.  The charity will be collecting donations during the event.

o   The event will include football matches and the event organiser will provide marquees/ gazebos and toilets. Caterers will provide breakfast in the morning, for participants.

3.2       Financial & Resource Implications

            There are no financial or resource implications.

3.3       Asset and Other Implications

            Council Officers will liaise with the organisers in relation to the potential environmental impact of these events.

3.4       Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            Equality and Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment will be considered by Officers for each of the events in line with the Council processes.”

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations.