Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following 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 provides an update on significant milestones achievement and progress on movements.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

            Movements under the Capital Programme

·        Leisure Transformation Programme - agree to move the redevelopment of Avoniel to Stage 3 – Committed under the Capital Programme

            Project Updates

·        Fleet Replacement Programme - note the proposed new 4 year lease term for the Lord Mayor’s Car with the replacement of the current car with a new hybrid model 

·        Connswater Community Greenway - agree to the allocation of the additional £200,000 residual balance from the Big Lottery contribution to CCG to be included as part of the previously agreed legal agreement with Eastside Greenways and to note the arrangement for the Council to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Eastside Greenways in relation to the management and delivery of an animation programme along the Greenway

3.0       Main report

3.1       Leisure Transformation Programme – update

            The new centres at Lisnasharragh and Brook have now both opened. This represents a major milestone in the delivery of the Leisure Transformation programme. These new facilities have received an overwhelmingly positive response from the media, key stakeholders and centre users. During the first week of opening, an average of over 100 members per day were joining the two centres. See Appendix 1 for photos.  Members will be reminded that dates for the official launch for both centres have now been agreed as 8th January for Lisnasharragh and 17th January for Brook. Members will receive an invitation in due course.

3.2       The development of Andersonstown is continuing on schedule. The new centre is due to complete in late February, with a view to an official opening in early April. Procurement of a contractor for the redevelopment of Templemore is currently underway and works are currently forecasted to commence in August 2020.

3.3       As of 1st December, Avoniel Leisure Centre is now officially closed and currently undergoing demobilisation. Members will be aware that Heron Bros Ltd will take forward the construction works at Avoniel with demolition works due to commence on site in January.  Avoniel is currently at Stage 2 on the Capital Programme.  Given that works are due to commence on site after Christmas it is recommended that this is moved to Stage 3 – Committed.  Members will be aware that £8million has been committed to the redevelopment of Avoniel under the Leisure Transformation Programme.

            Fleet Replacement Programme - Replacement of the Lord Mayor’s Car

3.4       In 2015 the SP&R Committee agreed to enter into a 4 year lease for the Lord Mayor’s car on the basis that leasing provided better value for money than the purchase of a similar vehicle. The current 4 year lease is a fixed term arrangement which expires in February 2020 and is for a BMW 7 Series (diesel model).  

3.5       Members are asked to note that it is proposed that a new lease is taken out on a like for like basis to the previous terms.  It is proposed that the replacement car will be a similar model and size to the current vehicle. However it is proposed that the new model will be a hybrid model with a combined 99mpg, and cleaner lower emission CO2 level of 52 g/km.

3.6       All costs for the Lord Mayor’s car are included within the Fleet Replacement Programme which is at Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme.

            Connswater Community Greenway

3.7       The Connswater Community Greenway (CCG) is being developed and managed through an innovative partnership between EastSide Greenways (formerly CCG Trust) and Belfast City Council within the context of the Belfast Agenda. In this next phase of the Greenway’s life, the Council in partnership with EastSide Greenways (ESG), will bring forward innovative proposals that seek to ensure its sustainability, enhancing the current asset and generating income. In keeping with The National Lottery Fund’s ambitions for Living Landmark projects, a continuing focus on community engagement, involvement and ownership is fundamental.

3.8       In November 2018 SP&R agreed that the £1m balance remaining as part of the Big Lottery capital contribution be allocated as an endowment to the CCGT for the delivery of an annually agreed animation programme for the greenway.  The Committee further agreed that the Council entering into a legal agreement for a period of 10 years with CCGT for the delivery of an annual animation programme funded by Big Lottery, subject to a legal agreement being drawn up by the City Solicitor in agreement with the Strategic Director of CNS.

3.9       During the process of developing the above legal agreements Officers prepared a final account relating to the CCG project and agreed this with the Big Lottery Fund.  The final account showed an additional balance of £200k (in addition to the £1m) which Members are now be asked to agree should be included as part of the endowment agreement. To date negotiations have been ongoing with EastSide Greenways and the initial legal agreement is yet to be executed. Subject to Members agreement it is proposed that the additional 200K will now be encompassed as part of this agreement and executed as one agreement.

3.10      To ensure the sustainability of the Greenway, the Council has agreed with the National Lottery to utilise unspent Lottery monies to fund EastSide Greenways as set out in the legal Agreement. EastSide Greenways will be delivered through a set of strategic objectives which will be subject to review on an annual basis as a response to need identified through research carried out by the Partnership. EastSide Greenways will submit an Annual Activity Plan to the Council each year setting out its proposed activities in the following year. The Annual Plan must be approved by the Council before any of the activities outlined in it occur.

3.11      Financial & Resource Implications

            Financial –-

·        Leisure Transformation Programme – Avoniel - £8m as agreed under the LTP

·        Fleet Replacement Programme – Lease of the Lord Mayor’s Car – costs are covered under the Fleet Replacement Programme

·        CCG - the balance on the capital funding has been agreed with Big Lottery and the project finalisation has now concluded with a balance of £1. 2m funding to support the annual animation programme over the next 10 years as per the legal agreement and MOU developed with Legal Services and C&NS

            Resources – Officer time as required.

3.12      Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

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

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations in relation to the Leisure Transformation Programme and the Connswater Community Greenway but agreed to defer consideration of the fleet replacement programme to enable a further report to be submitted on other possible options.