Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To consider a request for the installation of a permanent plaque in City Hall main marble or Rotunda area to commemorate the role of Nurses in WW1.

1.2       To consider the request to hold a temporary small scale exhibition in the main marble area to mark the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and role in WW1.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is recommended to;

·        approve the application from The Royal College of Nursing History of Nursing Network to receive and install the plaque and host the temporary exhibition. 

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       The Royal College of Nursing History of Nursing Network (HON) is made up of retired nurses who enjoy discovering and documenting local history in relation to the nursing profession.

3.2       Current projects include gathering information on the Cardiac Ambulance that was pioneered in Northern Ireland and, with next year marking the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, HON are presently embarking on a project to identify local nurses who served at home and abroad during that period.  Their aim is to produce a small booklet to promote their findings.

3.3       In 2010 the Network embarked on a project to capture the narratives of nurses who had worked through civil unrest in the province, 'The Troubles'.  Nurses were able to tell their stories, many of which were harrowing accounts and these were published in 2013 in a book called 'Nurses Voices From The Northern Ireland Troubles'.  The book subsequently inspired an hour long BBC documentary 'Nurses On The Frontline'.

3.4       In 2016 all the nurses who had contributed to the book and along with other guests were invited to a celebratory evening in Belfast City Hall. This occasion also celebrated the Freedom of the City being awarded to the nurses of Belfast.

            Key Issues

3.5       Following on from this key project and events, and in conjunction with the WW1 centenary events, HON members gathered information on local nurses who had served in WW1.This project has produced a booklet 'Nurses Voices From WW1 - The Northern Ireland Connection' and exhibition material.   The HON, supported by fundraising and donations, raised funds to produce a replica WW1 Queen Alexandra Nurses uniform and a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) uniform.

3.6       The HON have approached Council to seek permission to present Belfast City Hall with a commemorate plaque to remember the nurses of the Great War, thus provide a fitting closing event for their WWI project.  The HON have raised funds to purchase a small A3 sized plaque and seek permission for this plaque to be presented and displayed in City Hall reception area. Location for the plaque will be confirmed in consultation with officers from Function Management Unit and Democratic Services.

3.7       In addition the HON seek permission to showcase their small scale temporary exhibition in the main marble reception area of Belfast City Hall on International Nurses Day 2020, 12th May 2020. The exhibition would be in situ for one week.

3.8       This exhibition would coincide with other events taking place nationally and worldwide celebrating 200 years from the birth of Florence Nightingale know as Nightingale 2020.

            If the Committee is minded to approve the hosting of the temporary exhibition, then there would be no charge applied for the use of the space due to the Not for Profit nature of the HON.

3.9       If the Committee is minded to approve the installation of the permanent plaque, HON have raised the funds to cover the cost of the plaque, however given the Nurses of Belfast have been awarded Freedom of the City of Belfast, committee may wish to approve the hosting of a reception for guests attending the plaque unveiling. Costs can be presented to committee at a later date for approval.  

3.10      Financial & Resource Implications

            There will be no cost to the Council in approving this request. However if committee deems if appropriate to host a reception for the plaque unveiling there would be a hospitality cost, detailed costs can be provided to committee post approval.

3.11      Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Implications

            There are no direct good relations or equality implications arising from this report.”

            The Committee approved the application from The Royal College of Nursing History of Nursing Network to host the temporary exhibition but that the installation of the plaque be referred to the Party Group Leaders.