Strangford_REPORT

Belfast City Council

Report to: Parks and Leisure Committee.

Subject: Request from Joint Unionist Centenary Committee

Date: 15 September 2011

Reporting Officer: Andrew Hassard, Director of Parks and Leisure

Contact Officer: Andrew Hassard, Director of Parks and Leisure

Relevant Background Information

1.1

1.2

1.3

The council has received a request from the Joint Unionist Centenary Committee (JUCC), which is based at West Belfast Orange Hall, Shankill Road Belfast.

The purpose of the JUCC is:

“to commemorate the Centenary of the Balmoral Review which was held to demonstrate Unionist opposition to Home Rule for Ireland, and to do this in a manner which is factually correct and open to all.”

The letter of request is attached at Appendix 1.

Key Issues

2.1

2.2

2.3

The JUCC would like to commemorate previous demonstration events by holding a parade to a venue in south Belfast on either the 12 or 19 May 2012 and have asked if Strangford Playing Fields, Strangford Avenue would be available.

The request also outlines that the event planned would include a funfair, burger vans, marquees etc.

In line with the council’s events planning protocols and guidelines approval can be granted for this event provided that:

· an event management plan is provided; and

· all statutory requirements are fulfilled including the requirements of the Parades Commission, PSNI traffic branch, entertainment licensing if appropriate and all other health and safety requirements.

Resource Implications

3.1

3.2

3.3

Financial

There are no financial contributions requested.

Human Resources

There are likely to be some additional staffing and planning implications which should be able to be accommodated through our normal event management process.

Asset and Other Implications

Under normal circumstances the proposed dates would be at the end of the football season but, depending on winter weather conditions, the request may require displacement of football bookings from the pitches on the Saturday specified – these matches would need to be accommodated elsewhere.

Equality and Good Relations Considerations

4.1

The Council has established a Centenaries Working Group, which reports to the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee, to co-ordinate its work in this area. The Working Group has agreed that the forthcoming Decade of Centenaries, 2012-2022, provides an opportunity for the Council to contribute to a better understanding of the past and to promote respect for the complexity of our shared history.

The Centenaries Working Group has already discussed a programme of events for the first period in the Decade, 2012-2014, and is to recommend to the principal Committee later this month that the Centenary of the Signing of the Covenant should be one of the first major events to be marked, with the commissioning of an exhibition in the City Hall plus a number of individual events.

All of the proposals currently under consideration within the programme would have positive implications in terms of the promotion of equality and good relations, if undertaken in an inclusive manner.

Recommendations

5.1

It is recommended that committee grant approval for the use of Strangford Avenue playing fields as requested by the Joint Unionist Centenary Committee subject to:

1. the event organisers resolving all operational issues to the council’s satisfaction;

2. an appropriate legal agreement prepared by the Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive is completed;

3. the event organisers meet all statutory requirements including entertainment licensing; and

4. the event organisers ensure that all health and safety requirements are met to the council’s satisfaction.

Decision Tracking

City Park Manager and Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Manager to ensure actions are completed by May 2012.

Key to Abbreviations

JUCC: Joint Unionist Centenary Committee

Documents Attached

Appendix 1: Letter from Joint Unionist Centenary Committee