Minutes:
The Chief Executive submitted for the Council’s consideration a list of measures it might wish to put in placed in relation to its facilities.
Adjournment
The Council agreed to adjourn for a period of time to allow the Members time to give consideration to the proposals.
(The Council stood adjourned from 7.35p.m. until 7.55p.m.)
Moved Councillor Beattie,
Seconded by Councillor McDonough-Browne,
“The Council agrees to adopt a phased response in order to help the organisations manage the public health issue across Council facilities and provision of Council Services. In the first instance, the Council agree to keep Council services/facilities open with the exception of those listed below:
· City Hall will be closed for tours including the exhibition with immediate effect, however the registering of births, deaths and marriages will continue. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will be facilitated. All other functions/events in City Hall will be cancelled until further notice.
· From Monday 16 March Malone House and Belfast Castle will be closed to the public. Functions already booked at these venues can continue.
· Tropical Ravine and Palm House closed until further notice.
· Belfast Zoo will be closed to the public until further notice.
· Pitches and pavilions will be closed with immediate effect until further notice.
The Council also agrees to monitor Belfast City Council organised events and to keep under daily review.
The Council agrees to place particular emphasis on the fact that the majority of its facilities and services remain operational, including the following, although these will be kept under review:
· Community centres and parks will remain open.
· Recycling Centres will remain open.
· Leisure Centres will remain open.
· St Georges Market and Smithfield Market will remain open.
The Council further agrees to work with the Public Health Agency and the Northern Ireland Executive seeking support from Department for Communities to make a series of interventions to protect those most at risk including older people and these whose immunity may be impaired.
The Council agrees to request that the Department of Finance create a package of measures to mitigate the worst impact of closures and potential city-wide restrictions on small businesses and charities, as well as actions to support community based enterprises, including childcare organisations, and other social enterprises that are a mainstay of the local economy.
The Council condemns any company who is overtly profiteering from the current crisis.”
Amendment
Moved by Fiona Ferguson,
Seconded by Councillor Collins,
1. That the final sentence be amended to provide that after ‘crises’ insert ‘and calls upon the Executive to implement penalties against such perpetrators’; and, in addition,
2. Also calls on the Department of Communities to provide support to employees who are not normally protected by Statutory Sick Pay in these circumstances.
The Council proceed to vote separately on the two issues.
In relation to part 1 re: penalties, on a vote by show of hands, seven Members voted for the amendment and twenty-six against and it was declared lost.
For part 2, financial support, thirteen Members voted for and none against and it was declared carried.
Amendment
At the request of Councillor Kyle, the Council agreed the following be added to the motion; ‘that the Council will continue to liaise closely with the Chief Medical Officer and the Public Health Agency’.
Amendment
Proposed by Councillor Matt Collins,
Seconded by Councillor Ferguson.
That the Council agrees to add the following to the motion: Calls upon the NI Executive to consider requisitioning of private healthcare facilities to make up shortages in medical equipment where necessary, such as ICU beds, ventilators and isolation rooms.
On a vote by show hands, seven Members voted for the amendment and fifteen against and it was declared lost.
Amendment
At the request of Councillor Brooks, the Council agreed that the last sentence be amended to include the word ‘or individual’ after the word, ’company’.
The Council further agreed that a joint press statement be issued on behalf of all the Parties.
Accordingly, the motion, as amended, was put to the Council in the following form and agreed:
“The Council agrees to adopt a phased response in order to help the organisations manage the public health issue across Council facilities and provision of Council Services. In the first instance, the Council agree to keep Council services/facilities open with the exception of those listed below:
· City Hall will be closed for tours including the exhibition with immediate effect, however the registering of births, deaths and marriages will continue. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will be facilitated. All other functions/events in City Hall will be cancelled until further notice.
· From Monday 16 March Malone House and Belfast Castle will be closed to the public. Functions already booked at these venues can continue.
· Tropical Ravine and Palm House closed until further notice.
· Belfast Zoo will be closed to the public until further notice.
· Pitches and pavilions will be closed with immediate effect until further notice.
The Council also agrees to monitor Belfast City Council organised events and to keep under daily review.
The Council agrees to place particular emphasis on the fact that the majority of its facilities and services remain operational, including the following, although these will be kept under review:
· Community centres and parks will remain open.
· Recycling Centres will remain open.
· Leisure Centres will remain open.
· St Georges Market and Smithfield Market will remain open.
The Council further agrees to work with the Public Health Agency and the Northern Ireland Executive seeking support from Department for Communities to make a series of interventions to protect those most at risk including older people and these whose immunity may be impaired. In addition, Council requests that support be provided to employees who are not normally protected by statutory sick pay in these circumstances.
The Council agrees to request that the Department of Finance create a package of measures to mitigate the worst impact of closures and potential city-wide restrictions on small businesses and charities, as well as actions to support community based enterprises, including childcare organisations, and other social enterprises that are a mainstay of the local economy.
The Council condemns any company or individual who is overtly profiteering from the current crisis.
The Council will continue to liaise closely with Chief Medical Officer and Public Health Agency. The Council agrees a joint press statement will be issued tonight on behalf of all parties.”