Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To provide the quarterly update to People and Communities Committee on Notices of Motion.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the updates to all Notices of Motion / Issues Raised in Advance that P&C Committee is responsible for as referenced; and

·        Agree to the closure of 5 Notices of Motion / Issues Raised in Advance, as noted in paragraph 3.5 below.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Members will recall that the first quarterly Notices of Motion update was presented to People and Communities Committee in April 2021.

3.2       This report provides an overview of the progress on those Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance which remained open following the April 2021 update, and on one new Motion which has since been added following agreement at the May 2021 Committee.

3.3       Notice of Motion Updates

            There are currently 23 active Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance which the People and Communities Committee is responsible for. An update on those Notices of Motion which remain active on the live database.

3.4       Closure of Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance

            At SP&R Committee on 20th November 2020, it was agreed that Notices of Motion could be closed for one of two reasons:

·        Category 1 - Notices of Motion which contained an action that has been completed.  All Notices of Motion within this category contained a specific task that has since been complete.  It is worth noting that, when Committee agree to action a Notice of Motion, there are sometimes additional actions agreed alongside the Notice of Motion.  As these are not technically part of the Notice of Motion, they are taken forward through normal committee decision making processes.  The Notice of Motion can therefore be closed, but additional actions related to it will continue to be progressed and reported to the committee.  These additional actions are not contained in this report, but will be noted in the live database moving forward.

·        Category 2 - Notices of Motion have become Council policy or absorbed into a strategic programme of work.  These Notices of Motion did not contain a specific task that could be complete.  Instead, they were more strategic in nature and required changes in Council policy and/ or strategy for long term outcomes.  Those listed within this category have all been agreed by Committee and are now either Council policy or are currently being implemented through a Council strategy that is managed by a Standing Committee through the corporate planning process. 

3.5       Following an update of those Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance on the live database, it is recommended that Members approve the following Motions/Issues for closure.

            Category 1 Recommended Closures:

·        Desecration of Graves within Belfast City Cemetery – A report was presented to May 21 P&C Committee outlining the actions to reduce vandalism and ASB in the City Cemetery. Members noted the actions in the report. This NOM can be closed as the specific tasks have been completed.

·        Community Impact of Needle Finds - This issue was addressed in a presentation delivered by the PHA to June 21 P&C Committee, and will now be picked up in routine briefings on public health issues to Committee on a six monthly basis. It is recommended that this Motion is now closed.

·        Youth Service – Invitation to address Committee – Department of Education, Youth Service and PHA reps attended joint P&C / BYF meeting in Jan 2021.  This motion can now be closed.

·        Mapping exercise of 3G and 4G Pitches - This request has been addressed with Member who raised the issue and is recommended for closure.

·        Sections 43A and 43B of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 - Officers have updated Cllr Heading, on the current position regarding the DoF 5 phase plan to uplift the Conservation of Fuel and Power section of the Building Regulations. This plan is outlined in the consultation on the new draft Energy Strategy, to which Building Control have provided a response. The plan outlines further consultation work to be carried out by the DoF regarding these changes to the Building Regulations and the Service will feed into a response. Building Control will monitor the progress on the uplift of the Building Regulations and provide a response to the consultation when released.  It is recommended that this motion is now closed.

3.6       Financial & Resource Implications

            There are no additional financial implications required to implement these recommendations.

3.7       Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            There are no equality, good relations or rural needs implications contained in this report.”

            Following a query in regard to closing off, under category one, the mapping of 3g and 4g pitches, the Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that this issue would be further considered within the context of the Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy and therefore suggested that it instead be closed off on the live database under category 2 (Category 2 - Notice of Motion which has become Council policy or been absorbed into a strategic programme of work).

            The Committee:

·        noted the report and agreed to the closure of 5 Notices of Motion / Issues Raised in Advance, as referenced in in paragraph 3.5 of the report; and

·        agreed that the mapping of 3g and 4g pitches be closed off on the live database under category 2.