Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor D. Browne) and Councillor Crozier.

            The minutes of the meeting of 20th April were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 5th May, subject to the omission of the minute under the heading “Core Cities” which, at the request of Councillor Crozier, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

To consider further the minute of the meeting of 20th April under the heading “Core Cities” which, at the request of Councillor Crozier, was referred back to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 5^th May.

            The Director informed the Committee that Councillor Crozier had advised her that, due to an emergency, he would be unable to attend the meeting.  Accordingly, he had requested that consideration of the item regarding the Core Cities Group be deferred for one month.

            Following discussion, during which the Director informed the Members that the cities of Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow, which had also been invited to become associate members of the Group, were still considering the matter, it was

Moved by Councillor McCausland,

Seconded by Councillor Campbell,

      That the Committee agrees to defer for one month consideration of the minute of 20th April under the heading “Core Cities”, which had been taken back for further consideration at the Council meeting on 5th May.

            On a vote by show of hands, eight Members voted for the proposal and four against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      In August 2008, Atkins consultants were appointed to review and update the current Council’s Transport Policy to help support the Council’s civic leadership role for this important City and regional issue. The Policy seeks to provide the Council with a basis for facilitating the promotion and introduction of sustainable transport approaches or initiatives in respect of both Council operational activity and transportation generally.

      The overall approach to the review was to build on the success of the existing Policy, develop a refined understanding of effective current policy and identify best practice. The work sought to provide an effective up-to-date Policy which would begin to integrate internal operational transport initiatives and actions with the broader policy aspirations for more sustainable approaches to transportation.

      The Council requires an up-to-date, coherent Transport Policy in order to consistently engage in transport policy developments, such as the reviews of the Regional Development and Transportation Strategies, and influence specific policies or strategic transport infrastructure initiatives planned for the region. In parallel with this engagement there is also increasing recognition that the Council must continue to address and manage the transportation implications of existing operational activity across the organisation. Council has already accepted reducing the City’s impact on climate change and improving air quality as a Key Objective within the 2008-2011 Corporate Plan.

      A cross departmental steering group comprising Council officers was set up to oversee the revision of the current Transport Policy and the following stages were carried out in the first phase of the review:

-    a review of the current Policy and the Environmental Policy package;

-    background research and consultation with a range of stakeholders including Council officers, Elected Members, the private sector, statutory bodies and community/voluntary bodies; and

-    a review of existing travel patterns and practices within Belfast City Council

      The first phase of the review was completed in December 2008 and a report of the findings submitted to Committee in December. The Committee endorsed the consultant’s conclusions from their initial work that the current vision and objectives of the Transport Policy remained broadly valid but would benefit from being updated and more effectively aligned with the Council’s emerging approach and objectives within the Corporate Plan. The second phase involved the following stages:

-    the refinement of  Policy options for a strategic Council Transport Policy

-    the initial exploration of the potential options for a draft Workplace Travel Plan to address the organisational transportation implications for the Council.

Key Issues

      This report outlines the proposed Draft Transport Policy for the Council which incorporates a recommendation in respect of the proposals for the move towards the development of a Workplace Travel Plan to integrate the actions to address the transport implications of the organisation, including the potential operational, efficiency and sustainability benefits arising from a coordinated planed approach.  Both documents are available on Modern.gov

      Draft Transport Policy

      The Draft Transport Policy is appended for consideration by Committee as the basis for an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The Director submitted for the Committee’s approval the Development Departmental Plan for 2009/2010.  She pointed out that the Plan identified the actions, initiatives and events planned for the Department during that period and that the main purpose of the Plan was to gain Committee approval for key projects, initiatives and resources required for the year.  It would be supplemented by a series of more detailed business plans prepared by the separate Units within the Department which would link into and align to the Department Plan.  She advised the Members that an update report regarding the Plan would be submitted to the Committee on a quarterly basis and, since many involved key issues, specific reports concerning those matters would be submitted to the Committee for approval.

            In answer to a Member’s question regarding the absence of financial information against some actions in the Plan, the Director indicated that this was because the budgets for those issues had been agreed previously or because no expenditure would be incurred, other than staff time, in the current financial year or because the amount required was not yet known, in which case a report would be presented to a future meeting. 

            Following further discussion, the Committee approved the Departmental Plan for the period 2009/2010 as set out overleaf:

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      This report provides an outline of the ongoing activity in respect of the Falls Road Renewing the Routes Action Plan, an update on progress and provides the context for the proposed variation in the previously agreed budget allocation.

      The variation in the budget involves a suggested reallocation, within the‘cleaner, greener, safer’ theme, towards the development of an alternative project that would contribute to the same overall objectives.

Key Issues

      Update on Activity

A significant element of the work within the Falls Road part of the IDF Programme is focussed on improvements to commercial properties.

The ‘Commercial Improvement Programme’ on Falls is well underway with 67 properties completed as part of the Lower Falls and Lower Springfield Road phases. Works are currently underway at 34 properties between Broadway to La Salle Gardens.  Consultation has commenced for the 51 properties targeted as the first part, of what will be two phases, of commercial improvements in the Andersonstown area.

Completed projects also include the restoration of the decorative category B1 listed railings at St Comgall’s and Tourism Signs (installed at 7 key locations on the Falls Road, in conjunction with the Tourism Unit, including Carnegie Library, Dunville Park, St Mary’s University College, Royal Victoria Hospital, City Cemetery, Falls Park, Milltown Cemetery and Bog Meadows). Environmental and landscaping works to West Circular Roundabout have also been completed in time for most of the planting to be in bloom. 

The Broadway ‘Soffits and Sills’ Environmental Project was completed at the end of last year and saw the enhancement of the structural detailing on residential properties contributing to the revitalisation of this busy route.

The feature lighting scheme has been completed on two of the Falls Road’s historic buildings of architectural merit: Falls Road Carnegie Library and St Mary’s University College.  This programme is nearing completion as the project commissioned for the International Wall reaches the final stages with the official switch-on planned for May 2009.

As part of the ‘cleaner, greener, safer’ theme consultants have designed a two part project for the B listed Milltown Cemetery railings and entrance. This project will secure the restoration and reinstatement of the entrance gate and two pedestrian gates combined with refurbishment and repainting the decorative railings.

Proposed Variation in Budget Allocation

The agreed Falls IDF Action Plan included a proposal to develop a project for Dunville Park.  The potential for environmental improvements to the Park boundary was identified as part of the environmental and open space improvements within the Plan. The proposed works sought to improve the entrance and railings as part of a medium term environmental improvement for Falls and Grosvenor Roads.

The context for the proposed works has changed since the adoption of the IDF Action Plan and ongoing scoping work for the project has identified issues that make it unfeasible to pursue the proposed works within the programme timescales. The Department for Social Development, in conjunction with the Council, are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Members will be aware that the Culture and Arts Unit brings regular progress reports to Members.  The purpose of this report is to advise Members of progress with respect to:

1.   Celebration in 2013 of the 400^th Anniversary of Belfast’s First Charter

2.   Update on Lyric Theatre

Key Issues

1.  Celebration in 2013 of the 400^th Anniversary of Belfast’s First Charter

      The town of Belfast was formerly established by the grant of a charter by James I on 27th April, 1613.  This is a crucial date in the City’s history and the Council may consider marking the anniversary in a suitable manner and enabling citizens to join in celebrating a shared history.

      The establishment of civic governance (including the establishment of a Corporation), political representation and the regulation of markets through charters was a crucial part of the process.

      The 400^th Anniversary in 2013 is only four years away and, should the Council decide to celebrate the anniversary, there will be a need to set up a clear process to ensure good planning, maximum effectiveness and use of resources to establish greatest benefit.  This is an opportunity to address perceptions and sensitivities through shared learning and activity using a 'Good Relations' approach, i.e., allowing a process of consultation and learning.  Engagement in such a process will allow Belfast to take ownership of its history, provide regional leadership and bring in the best expertise, both locally and internationally.

      A number of towns across Northern Ireland received charters in 1613, including Limavady, Coleraine and Strabane, and there is an opportunity for Belfast to work positively on the commemoration with a range of the new Councils post RPA.

      The celebration would also provide an excellent opportunity to establish partnerships with key relevant statutory agencies.

      The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is actively engaged in a related research programme and is eager to work with the Council in the delivery of a symposium.  NIEA is already collaborating on a book, due to be published within the current financial year, dealing with the history of Belfast from an archaeological perspective.  Queen’s University Belfast is also investigating a major multi-author publication associated with the 1613 anniversary.

      To establish process, it is proposed that a symposium be held on 4-5 November, 2009 in the Ulster Hall.  The programme will include five leading speakers. Several leading academics from the USA, Great Britain and Ireland have indicated a willingness to participate.  These include representatives from the native community in Virginia USA, the leading expert on sixteenth and seventeenth century colonisation in the north Atlantic world (who has a book on the subject in the press and has worked both in the US and Northern Ireland) and a local professor specialising in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The topics of urbanisation and public perceptions of history will also be considered.

      A full costing for the symposium will be brought to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            Councillor B. Kelly declared an interest in this matter in that her brother was a member of the Belfast Culture Night Committee, which had submitted the request for funding, and retired from the meeting whilst the matter was under discussion.

            The Director of Development informed the Committee that a request had been received for the Council to provide a sum of £25,000 towards a project to organise a Culture Night in Belfast on 25th September, in order to coincide with a series of similar Nights which would be taking place in other European cities.  This amount had been requested due to the fact that the Arts Council of Northern Ireland had already agreed to provide a similar sum.

            It was intended that the Culture Night would be a free, City centre-based, family?focused event which would involve arts and cultural providers, the hospitality industry and local businesses in which organisations would invite the public to participate in events, talks and tours.

            The organisers, the Belfast Culture Night Committee, had indicated that the event would:

(i)     raise the public’s awareness of Belfast as a thriving cultural centre;

(ii)    attract positive media coverage for arts and culture in Belfast;

(iii)    advance the Council’s aim of developing cultural tourism activity and enhancing the quality of the visitor experience; and

(iv)   raise the profile of arts and cultural organisations and provide them with a platform to showcase their work to new audiences.

            She reported that, prior to the request from the Belfast Culture Night Committee being received, the Council had been undertaking research into a similar concept known as “Light Night”, which took place in a number of cities across Britain and was supported by the Association of Town Centre Management.  In addition, a number of European cities, such as Paris, St. Petersburg, Berlin and Milan, had organised Culture Nights and approximately 100,000 people had participated in the 2008 event which had been held in Dublin.

            During discussion in the matter, several Members pointed out that, whilst they were supportive of the event, they believed that it should be taking place across Belfast rather than in the City centre only and that the publicity for Culture Night should target those persons who did not normally attend arts and culture events.

            In response, the Director indicated that she would advise the Culture Night Committee of the remarks, with which she was in agreement.  However, she explained that the main reason that events were not being proposed to be held throughout Belfast was because the organisations which were involved were City centre-based. 

            Following further discussion, the Committee noted the comments which had been provided by the Director, agreed to provide a sum of £25,000 towards the costs of the Belfast Culture Night 2009 and requested that the Belfast Culture Night Committee be advised of the Development Committee’s views about the organisation of any future activities on a City-wide basis.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      In January 2009, a survey of 500 businesses in Belfast was commissioned by BelfastCity Council.  The aim of this survey was to gather information on the companies (number of people employed, turnover, key markets etc.), to identify their key growth challenges for the coming year and to identify the particular support that they may need and that may be provided by Belfast City Council or other business development support agencies.

      The survey sample was representative of the geographical location of the City’s business community as well as the company size structure.

      It is anticipated that this survey will be undertaken on an annual basis.  The next survey will be undertaken in January 2010.

Key Issues

      The key findings of the survey were:

-    More than half (54%) of the companies surveyed told us that they did not have a formal, written business plan.  While economic growth was almost a given over the last few years, the current times make it much more challenging for companies to survive and make a profit.  It is therefore all the more important that they spend some time refining their product, identifying their markets, considering their marketing plan and identifying where their finances will come from. 

-    Only 45% of the companies interviewed told us that they were selling into the public sector.  Given the disproportionately large size of the public sector in Northern Ireland, this could be construed as a missed opportunity.  One of the key actions in the economic downturn response was to increase the number of small businesses accessing Council procurement opportunities.  In partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, we have organised an event on ‘Sustainable Procurement Opportunities’ as part of Waste Week on 4 June 2009. 

-    One third of the companies that we spoke to do not expect their business levels to change in the coming year, while equal percentages expressed themselves as optimistic about growth prospects as those who did not expect to see any growth in the coming year.

-    The same is true for anticipated profit margins - while 40% of companies expected that these would remain the same as last year, 27% felt that they would increase, while 30% thought that they would decrease.

-    48% of Belfast businesses suggested that they expected to invest in their company in the coming year.  This suggests that they want to proactively pursue growth for the business.  However, with more than 50% suggesting that there will be no investment in the business, it does give some cause for concern that the adverse conditions may hit them all the harder if they are not prepared to meet the challenge.

-    Companies that were exporting were more optimistic about sales prospects in international than local markets.  Given the rising value of the Pound to the Dollar and the Euro, there is some opportunity for local companies to present cost-effective supply options to businesses trading in these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The purpose of this report is to advise Members of a number of developments including:

1.   West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council – Enterprise Regeneration Plan;

2.   Invitation to participate in summit on Job Creation and Workforce Development; and

3.   Participation in Welfare to Work Convention and visit to City Strategies projects.

Key Issues

1.   West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council –

      Enterprise Regeneration Plan

      The West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council (WBGSEC) was established in August 2006 as a direct result of recommendations made in the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Force report.

      The aim of the Enterprise Council was to bring greater coherence to the promotion and support of local businesses. It was tasked with a number of issues, namely:

-     Developing the local small business economy;

-     Developing an entrepreneurial and networking culture through the effective implementation of a series of networking initiatives;

-     Ensuring the implementation of the Task Force recommendations which focus on assisting the existing business base and ensuring the successful implementation of a range of activities and measures identified by the two Task Forces;

-     Reviewing any policy and regulatory issues affecting the success and development of small businesses;

-     Acting as a forum at which current policies can be reviewed from the perspective of local business; and

-     Considering relevant proposals and lobbying for appropriate change.

      In December 2008, the Enterprise Council launched a plan identifying seven key development proposals for the area.  In March 2009, they launched ‘A new approach to enterprise regeneration in West Belfast and Greater Shankill’.  This document was circulated to key stakeholders for comment and consideration.

      The document makes a number of key proposals.  These include:

1.   Creation of a new body to give impetus and focus to the implementation of a comprehensive series of regeneration and enterprise initiatives;

2.   Re-location of a Government Department or Agency employing at least 200 people to the west Belfast and greater Shankill area;

3.   Development of three 3 or 4 star hotels in the area along with development of Invest NI Forthriver site;

4.   Establishment of Business Incentive Zones offering differential benefits such as relaxation of planning; abolishment of rates and stamp duty; 100% capital allowances and enhanced marketing and development subsidies;

5.   Establishment of a range of support initiatives to stimulate the development of more start-up businesses and to encourage the growth of micro-enterprises; and

6.   Development of a three year action plan, in conjunction with Invest NI, including a sales proposition for the area.

      Some of the key observations that we would make with regard to this piece of work include:

-     The document includes a significant level of analysis and detail and this provides a logical framework for the recommendations;

-     The implementation of the recommendations will require significant political support from both sides of the community in the two areas if it is to progress;

-     In addition to the political support,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Director reminded the Committee that the Minister for Finance and Personnel had indicated that he intended to introduce, as part of the Assembly’s response to the economic downturn, a Small Business Rates Relief Scheme.  She indicated that, before finalising the details of the Scheme, the Minister had consulted a number of organisations, including the Council, concerning the proposals.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that the undernoted document be submitted as the Council’s official comments on the proposals for a Small Business Rates Relief Scheme:

“Background

1.     Belfast City Council welcomes the opportunity to respond to the current consultation on the proposed Small Business Rates Relief Scheme.

2.     Similar to the Northern Ireland government departments, the council is conscious of its obligations to support businesses and individuals during the recession.  As such, we have developed and agreed an action plan of measures that are within our remit and that may help alleviate the difficulties crated by the current economic climate.

3.     This is a draft response in the absence of political endorsement through our decision-making processes.  It is anticipated that this response will be ratified by Council at its meeting on 1 June 2009.  Once this happens, we will make staff within the Rating Policy Division aware of the situation and will note any changes from this draft.

General comments

4.     Based on the consultation paper issued in March 2007, we understand that relief is to be paid automatically to business premises with a NAV of less than £5,000 and to Post Offices with a NAV of less than £12,000.  We also understand that there will be two ‘bands’ within each of these categories: small businesses with a NAV of £2,000 or less will benefit from a 50% reduction on their rates while those businesses whose NAV is £5,000 or under will benefit from a 25% reduction.  Meanwhile, post offices with a NAV of £9,000 or less will avail of a 100% reduction and those whose NAV is £9,000-£12,000 will receive a 50% relief.  It is not clear if vacant properties within the qualifying NAV limits will also benefit.

5.     The consultation paper suggests that these costs are based on 2008-2009 poundages and on current valuations which will need to be updated as the scheme will be introduced following the re-valuation of non?domestic properties in 2010.

6.     While we are wholly supportive of the objective of this exercise, namely to ‘reduce the burden of rates on our smaller businesses’, we are uncertain whether the proposed scheme, as it stands, will make a significant impact on target businesses in Belfast.

7.     Given the structure of the proposed scheme, this will lead to a reduction in rates for smaller non-domestic properties.  This does not always mean that those benefiting will be small businesses.  Large businesses with a number of small properties could also benefit.

8.     We also consider that, given the £5,000 threshold for businesses and the £12,000 threshold for Post Offices, the number of businesses that can  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

            The Director informed the Members that the recently established Friends of St. George’s Market Association had secured funding of £37,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to assist in the promotion of the Market.

            She explained that the money would enable the Association to organise between November 2009 and May 2010 a series of events and exhibitions.  These would include tours of the building and information sessions regarding the history of St. George’s Market and its traders.  The Association also intended to promote the development of St. George’s from a local market to an arena for local musicians.

Noted.

            The Committee agreed to receive at its next monthly meeting a presentation on the findings of the 2008 Belfast Tourism Monitor.  In addition, the Committee agreed that expenditure not exceeding £4,000 be incurred in connection with the production of a Tourism Facts and Figures Booklet for the 2008 year.

            The Committee considered the following requests for assistance which had been received under the Support for Sport Scheme in relation to events and promotions:

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The Pride of Place competition has been supported by Belfast City Council for a number of years.  Officers in Health and Environmental Services have taken the organisational lead, with support from Community Services staff in the selection and preparation of entrant groups.  Given the focus of the competition and the cessation of the Brighter Belfast funding stream, it is now proposed to transfer the overall responsibility for both organising and selecting the groups for the competition to Community Services.

      Established in 2003 and hosted by Co-operation Ireland, Pride of Place is an all-Ireland competition which aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that community groups make to society. The competition focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. It gives community groups the opportunity to showcase specific pride initiatives, whether social, environmental or heritage-related, which will have long lasting and positive impacts on their society.

Key Issues

      Each year, several categories are defined and entries invited and all entrants must be nominated by their local authority.  In previous years entrants nominated and sponsored by BelfastCity Council have enjoyed considerable success.  Winners are announced at a high-profile awards ceremony, hosted by a previous winning council each autumn.  The 2009 awards ceremony will be held in Newcastle, County Down on the 21st?22nd November.

      The 2009 Pride of Place Cities Competition allows a maximum of 5 entries per Council, subject to defined categories and rules.  Community Services Section have identified four suitable groups:

North Belfast Whispers, Wandsworth Community Association and Star Neighbourhood in the Geographical category and Failte Feirste Tuiar in the Enterprise category.

Resource Implications

      Financial

      The cost per entrant is £500, with a maximum of five entrants per Council (one per category) and four suitable entrants have been identified for Belfast.  Should the Members agree to enter the 2009 competition, it is proposed that the Council pay the entry fees and travel and accommodation expenses relating to the attendance of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Director of Development (or their nominees) together with a maximum of three persons per external project (depending on the number of tickets allocated by Co-operation Ireland), at the awards ceremony.  The total cost is estimated at £5,000 including subsistence, travel and accommodation for one night, this would be funded from existing budgets.

Recommendations

      The Committee is requested to:

1.   Approve the transfer of responsibility for the Pride of Palace competition from Health and Environmental Services to Community Services.

2.   Approve the entry of the following groups in the Pride of Place Cities competition 2009:

a.   North Belfast Whispers;

b.   Wandsworth Community Association;

c.   Star Neighbourhood; and

d.   Failte Feirste Tuiar.

3.   Approve the attendance of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the Director of Development (or their nominees) together with a maximum of three persons per external project (with a maximum of twelve in total) at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.