Minutes:
North Belfast Area Working Group
The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the North Belfast Area Working Group of 21st November, comprising the following recommendations:
i. to note the update on the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund;
ii. to note the information on the Stage 2 projects;
iii. to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that the following projects be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery in North Belfast, with the allocations as stated:
· Ulster Supported Employment Ltd. – Green Growth and the Circular Economy project, £518,191;
· Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum – Cliftonville Community Enterprise project, £1,452,700;
· Sailortown Regeneration Group – St. Joseph’s Restoration project, £154,696;
· Ardoyne Youth Enterprise – AYE Youth and Community Hub project, £154,696; and
· Belfast Orange Hall – Belfast Orange Hall Refurbishment project, £154,696.
iv. to note the Stage 3 process and that the projects and allocations would be reviewed in 12 months’ time; and
v. to note the approach regarding feedback and support to those groups that are not progressing to Stage 3 – Delivery.
West Belfast Area Working Group
The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the West Belfast Area Working Group of 23rd November, comprising the following recommendations:
i. to note the update on the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund;
ii. to note the information on the Stage 2 projects;
iii. to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that the following projects be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery in West Belfast, with the allocations as stated:
· Fáilte Feirste Thiar – The Mountainview Hotel, £1,500,000;
· Michael Davitt’s GAC – Michael Davitt’s Community Heritage Centre, £647,000; and
· Glór na Móna – Croí na Carraige – ‘The Heart of the Rock’ Phase 1, £500,000;
iv. to note the Stage 3 process and that the projects and allocations would be reviewed in 12 months’ time;
v. to note the approach regarding feedback and support to those groups that were not progressing to Stage 3 – Delivery; and
vi. to hold a special meeting of the West Belfast Area Working Group
in January, 2024 to consider the Shankill projects.
South Belfast Area Working Group
The Committee was requested to approve and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the South Belfast Area Working Group of 27th November, including the following recommendations relating to the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund:
i. to note the update on the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund;
ii. to note the information on the Stage 2 projects;
iii. to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that the following projects be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery in South Belfast, with the allocations as stated below:
· Sólás Special Needs Charity – Sólás New Build project, £800,000;
· Greater Village Regeneration Trust - Branching Out project, £224,949;
· Lower Ormeau Residents' Action Group (LORAG) - Lagan Water Access Activity Hub, £224,949;
· Hearth Historic Buildings Trust - Redevelopment of Riddel's Warehouse, £224,949;
· Fitzroy Presbyterian Church - Redevelopment of Former School of Music, £224,949; and
· Market Development Association - Market Heritage Hub, £224,949.
iv. tonote the Stage 3 process and that the projects and allocations would be reviewed in 12 months’ time; and
v. to note the approach regarding feedback and support to those groups which were not progressing to Stage 3 – Delivery.
Proposal
Moved by Councillor Garrett,
Seconded by Councillor Bunting,
That the Committee agrees that the list of projects to be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery in South Belfast and corresponding allocations be amended as follows:
· Market Development Association - Market Heritage Hub,
£650,000;
· Greater Village Regeneration Trust - Branching Out project,
£650,000;
· Lower Ormeau Residents' Action Group (LORAG) - Lagan Water Access Activity Hub, £300,000;
· Fitzroy Presbyterian Church - Redevelopment of Former School of Music, £300,000; and
· Sólás Special Needs Charity – Sólás New Build project, £24,744.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor de Faoite,
Seconded by Councillor Smyth,
That the Committee agrees that a special meeting of the South Belfast Area Working Group be held to enable further consideration to be given to the projects to be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery.
On a vote, three Members voted for the amendment and fifteen against and it was declared lost.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Nelson,
Seconded by Councillor Maghie,
That the Committee agrees to adopt in full the recommendations of the South Belfast Working Group in relation to the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund.
On a vote, five Members voted for the amendment and thirteen against and it was declared lost.
The original proposal, standing in the name of Councillor Garrett and seconded by Councillor Bunting, was thereupon put to the meeting when thirteen Members voted for and five against and it was declared carried.
Accordingly, the Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the South Belfast Area Working Group of 27th November, as amended.
East Belfast Area Working Group
The Committee was requested to approve and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the East Belfast Area Working Group of 30th November, including the following recommendations relating to the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund:
i. to note the update on the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund;
ii. to note the information on the Stage 2 projects;
iii. to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that the following projects be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery in East Belfast, with the allocations as stated below:
· Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre - Portview Exchange, £620,000;
· Impact Belfast – Impact Belfast Hub, £270,000;
· Ulster Rugby – Nevin Spence Centre Visitor Experience, £270,000; and
· Eastside Property Belfast Ltd – Eastside Container Hotel, £750,000;
iv. to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that the following projects be progressed to Stage 2 – Development in East Belfast:
· Dundela Football, Athletic and Social Club - Development of sporting hub at Wilgar Park; and
· East Belfast Mission - Hosford Community Homes: 335 Newtownards Road; and
v. to note the Stage 3 process and that the projects and allocations were to be reviewed in 12 months’ time; and
vi. to note the approach regarding feedback and support to those groups that were not progressing to Stage 3 – Delivery.
Proposal
Moved by Councillor Smyth,
Seconded by Councillor de Faoite,
That the Committee agrees:
i. that a special meeting of the East Belfast Area Working Group be held to enable further consideration to be given to the projects to be progressed to Stage 3 – Delivery; and
ii. to proceed with the Dundela Football, Athletic and Social Club and East Belfast Mission projects to Stage 2 – Development.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Maghie,
Seconded by Councillor Nelson,
That the Committee agrees to adopt in full the recommendations of the East Belfast Working Group in relation to the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund.
On a vote, four Members voted for the amendment and sixteen against and it was declared lost.
The original proposal, standing in the name of Councillor Smyth and seconded by Councillor de Faoite, was thereupon put to the meeting and passed.
Accordingly, the Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the East Belfast Area Working Group of 30th November, as amended.