Agenda item

            Moved by Councillor Black,

            Seconded by Councillor Nic Bhranair,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd February, 2024, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

City Centre Byelaws Consultation –

Update on process

            At the request of Councillor Beattie, the Council agreed to invite The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) to a future meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to discuss the issues, together with representatives from the Department of Justice and Police Service of Northern Ireland, at the request of Councillor De Faoite.

            Belfast Agenda Refresh (2024-2028)

            At the request of Councillor Beattie, the Council agreed to undertake neighbourhood strategy documents for each area of the city linking to the Belfast Agenda, to include local key priorities for each quarter of the city, and to explore working with stakeholders and the development of plans to help alleviate poverty and deprivation.

Quarterly Update on Notices of Motion

            At the request of Councillor R.M. Donnelly, the Council, in relation to the Motion on Environmentally Sustainable Event Spaces (Ref 209) previously raised by Councillor Garrett, agreed that a report be submitted to the next Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to outline the next steps on delivering environmentally sustainable event spaces.

            At the request of Councillor Collins, the Council agreed that the Motion on Save West Wellbeing Suicide Awareness (Ref 331) which had been recommended for closure, remained open and be brought back to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for further discussion.

Contracts

            At the request of Councillor Nic Bhranair, in relation to the Single Tender Action “City Matters Distribution - Royal Mail”, the Council agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee to outline readership statistics, together with value for money analysis.

Northern Ireland Executive Ministerial Meetings

            At the request of Councillor De Faoite, the Council agreed that an area meeting was also requested with the Minister of Education to discuss the withdrawal of funding to Forge Integrated Primary School for its new building and how this information was communicated to the schools impacted by the decision. 

Illumination Request

Amendment

            Moved by Councillor McDowell,

            Seconded by Councillor Bunting

      That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd February, under the heading “Illumination Request”, to approve the request for the illumination of the City Hall to mark the birthday of the President of Ireland, Michael Higgins on 18th April, 2024, be amended to also mark the closing of the gates of Derry 335 years ago, and that the City Hall be lit up in white to acknowledge both events.

            On a vote, sixteen Members voted for the amendment and thirty-nine against with one no vote and it was declared lost.

            In reference to the colour of the illumination, the Chief Executive advised that the City Solicitor had contacted the Presidents’ office to confirm the correct protocol.   

Physical Programme Update

            At the request of Councillor T. Brooks, the Council agreed that, in relation to Appendix 3 - Fleet Replacement Programme 2024/25, an update be submitted to a future People and Communities Committee in relation to the power sources of the proposed vehicle replacements.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendments, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd February were thereupon approved and adopted.