Agenda item

Proposed Amendments

 

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“Relevant Background Information

 

      This report provides an update on the general progress of projects under the Renewing the Routes programme and outlines two issues for the consideration by Committee.

 

      The two issues for consideration relate to the potential reallocation of project funding due to changed circumstances in respect of two approved projects that form part of the Falls Integrated Development Fund (IDF) plan namely Glen Road and Kennedy Way roundabouts.

 

Key Issues

 

      Update Shankill Road

 

      Work along the Shankill Road is continuing with 35 properties fully complete under Brighter Belfast and Integrated Development Fund.  The next phase of the programme is currently being implemented, covering 24 properties, while final designs are in place for another 35 properties as part of Phase III. Projects already delivered in partnership with other Council departments include additional hanging baskets, as an extension of Belfast in Bloom and the introduction of tourism signage at three key sites: West Kirk Church/Shankill Memorial Garden, Shankill Rest Garden and Woodvale Park. The Renewing the Routes Programme has also attracted an additional £300,000 from Belfast Regeneration Office to deliver public realm improvements at three key junctions, Agnes St, Lanark Way and Woodvale.

 

      Update Falls Road

 

      24 properties have been targeted under Phase I of the IDF Commercial Improvement Programme in lower Falls.  Construction work for Phase I has commenced and Phase II (Lower Springfield Road) is at final design with works to a further 44 properties projected to begin this month. An environmental scheme, including hanging baskets, has been initiated for Broadway as part of a three part project for the route.

 

      A public art piece is also being developed with the local resident group and the Health Trust for installation on the Royal Victoria Hospital property.

 

      The final element of the project includes a cosmetic enhancement scheme through the painting of detail structural elements on individual properties which will contribute to the reinvigoration of this busy route.

 

      Detailed lighting designs and statutory approvals are being finalised for the prominent features along the Falls Road. The International Wall, Carnegie Library and St.Mary’s University are scheduled to be completed by Christmas 2008. Outline designs for Bog Meadows and Willowbank Youth Club are currently out to final design consultation and the landscape works to the West Circular Roundabout are expected on site in October 2008. The listed St Comgall’s railings and gates have been designed by specialist consultants drawing up proposals with a view to commencing refurbishment works late 2008. The works which will complement landscape works to the school is being funded through Belfast City Council’s Greencare programme facilitated by Groundwork NI.

 

      Update Crumlin Road

 

      Phase I Commercial Improvements on the Crumlin Road have commenced at 151-183 Lower Crumlin Road and are due for completion before Christmas. At Glenbank approximately 24 properties have been included in the scheme and works are scheduled to commence in mid-October. The Ardoyne commercial node has been fully surveyed and final proposals are being developed by the consultants. The detailed designs for work to Clifton Orange Hall are being finalised with the owners and the Environmental Heritage Service with works projected to commence on site before Christmas.

 

      Draft proposals have been developed for public realm schemes at Carlisle Circus, Lower Crumlin Road (Agnes Street/Clifton Park Avenue) and Ardoyne roundabout. Initial consultations have started with statutory agencies and community groups, detailed public consultation seeking final agreement will commence in October.

 

      Update Upper Springfield

 

      The majority of works on the public realm improvements at Springfield/Whiterock junction have now been completed. Environmental projects are currently being developed for Whiterock Orange Hall and also for SpringhillPark. Proposals for complementary public realm projects at a further three sites and additional commercial improvements at the Springfield /Whiterock junction, covering up to 12 shops, are also under development.

 

      Update York Rd & Antrim Rd

 

      Additional projects, facilitated by previous increases in URBAN II funding, are underway on both the York Road and Antrim Road, with coordinated hanging baskets / flower trees implemented as part of Belfast in Bloom. Further commercial improvements to properties in North Queen Street and Antrim Road have been developed alongside additional environmental schemes. The York Road Gateway artwork is in the final stages of design and Carlisle Circus artwork is completed and waiting for the final inspections and statutory approval (DRD).

 

      Programme Implementation Variations

 

      Members are asked to consider modifications relating to the continued refinement and implementation of the renewing the routes programme, in respect of two previously agreed projects:

 

      Glen Road Roundabout

 

      Following more detailed implementation consultations and initial design consideration, complications in respect of the potential successful project completion have arisen. 

 

      The uncertainty over the future of the former Andersonstown Barracks site coupled with concerns over the appropriateness of the current roundabout configuration for the traffic management in the area make it inappropriate to consider what could be nugatory enhancement works at this stage.  In light of this uncertainty it is therefore proposed that a more appropriate environmental project identified as part of the original assessment work for the Falls plan would be the enhancement of the MilltownCemetery entrance and walls. In the reallocation of the £30,000 budget this significant enhancement, including the refurbishment of the walls and improvement of the gateways, would contribute to the environmental enhancement objectives of the originally envisaged project and make a positive contribution to the package of works already approved and underway for this area, including proposals with Translink to improve their own boundary fencing and entrance.

 

      Kennedy Way Roundabout

 

      More detailed investigation as part of the initial design development identified more fundamental structural problems associated with the current junction configuration and construction which contribute to flooding in the area during periods of heavy or sustained rainfall.  In the absence of planned maintenance or structural remediation proposals to address this problem it would be inappropriate to pursue the cosmetic enhancement of the roundabout/junction. In order to progress the continued implementation of the plan for this area it is proposed that consideration be given to the reallocation of the £30,000 budget to commercial improvements in the Andersonstown area. In addition to providing an appropriate alternative environmental improvement the reallocation would in part address a previously identified budget deficit in respect of the potential improvements in the vibrant retail and commercial area.

 

Resource Implications

 

      There are no additional financial implications arising from the reallocation.

 

Recommendations

 

      Members are asked to

 

1.   Note the updates within the report;

 

2.   Approve the reallocations of the previously approved £30,000 budget in respect of the Glen Road Roundabout to the enhancement Milltown cemetery frontage and entrance; and

 

3.   Approve the reallocations of the previously approved £30,000 in respect of the Kennedy Way Roundabout to the expansion of the commercial improvement programme planned for the Andersonstown area.”

 

            During discussion in the matter, several Members expressed concern that arterial routes in the South and East areas of the City had received less funding than those in other parts of the City under the Renewing the Routes Initiative.

 

            In reply, the Director indicated that much of the work which was being undertaken in the North and West of the City under the Initiative was being funded through the Integrated Development Fund, which had been earmarked specifically for those parts of the City.  However, she understood the Members’ concerns and indicated that the staff of the Development Department were constantly endeavouring to obtain funding in order to undertake work along the arterial routes in the South and East areas of the City.

 

            Following further discussion, the Committee noted the information provided by the Director and adopted the recommendations contained within the report.

 

Falls Public Art

 

            The Director reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 13th August, it had approved the reallocation of finance from the Renewing the Routes budget to enable An Nasc, a non-profit-making Irish language development body, to develop a major landmark art piece on the Falls Road, subject to details in respect of a number of conditions being reported back to the Committee.

 

            She informed the Members that the requirements in respect of the conditions had now been met, in that:

 

(i)      the Department for Social Development had acceded to the reallocation of the Integrated Development Fund budget which had been identified in the Renewing the Routes Initiative;

 

(ii)     An Nasc had confirmed that the selection and tendering procedures would be in compliance with the Council’s Draft Procurement Policy;

 

(iii)    the selection panel would involve officers and Members from the Council;

 

(iv)    An Nasc had confirmed that the piece would be installed in compliance with all statutory permissions no later than March 2010;

 

(v)     An Nasc had confirmed that all the necessary funding was available to match the sum which was being reallocated; and

 

(vi)    confirmation had been obtained that the piece would be located on a site which would have a direct relationship with the Falls Road and the Lower Falls area.

 

            In addition, the Director informed the Committee that An Nasc would be responsible for the future maintenance of the installed art piece.

 

            Accordingly, she recommended that the Council enter into a contractual agreement with An Nasc regarding the art piece.

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.