Agenda and minutes

            In accordance with Standing Order 9, the Lord Mayor read a passage from the Scriptures.

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the High Sheriff (Councillor McCoubrey) and Councillors W. Browne, Crozier, McClenaghan, McMillen, Newton, O’Reilly and Wilson.

Moved by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor,

Seconded by Councillor Stalford and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 2nd November be taken as read and signed as correct.

            The Council was advised that notification had been received from the Ulster Unionist Party Grouping indicating that it wished to replace:

·         Councillor D. Browne with Councillor Adamson on the membership of the Belfast Hills Partnership Board; and

·         Councillor Adamson with Councillor D. Browne on the Belfast District Policing Partnership North Belfast Sub-Group.

            The Council approved the aforementioned changes.

6^th and 20^th November, 2009.

Moved by Councillor Hartley,

Seconded by Councillor C. Maskey,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 6th and 20th November be approved and adopted.

Request for Matter to be

Taken Back for Further Consideration

            Minutes of Memorabilia Working Group

            At the request of Councillor Hendron and with the consent of the Council, the Chairman (Councillor Hartley) agreed that that portion of the minutes of the Memorabilia Working Group in so far as it related to exhibitions in the City Hall be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing omission, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 6th and 20th November were approved and adopted.

12^th November, 2009.

Request for Matter to be

Taken Back for Further Consideration

            Renewal of Lease on

            PlaygroundBuilding at OrmeauPark

            At the request of Councillor Rodgers, the Chairman (Councillor Stoker), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute under the heading “Renewal of Lease on Playground Building at Ormeau Park” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing omission, the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 12th November were approved and adopted.

11^th and 16^th November, 2009.

Request for Matter to be

Taken Back for Further Consideration

            East BelfastMission – Request for Funding

            The Chairman (Councillor Humphrey), at the request of Councillor McKenzie and with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of the meeting of 11th November under the heading “East Belfast Mission – Request for Funding” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing omission, the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 11th and 16th November were approved and adopted.

Festive Decorations

            Arising out of discussion on the minutes, the Council agreed that a report be presented to the next monthly meeting of the Development Committee concerning the Christmas decorations at the City Hall and City centre.

4^th November, 2009.

Amendment

Safety of Sports Grounds Legislation

Moved by Councillor Jones,

Seconded by Councillor Hendron,

      That the decision under the heading “Safety of Sports Grounds Legislation” be amended provide that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure be requested to provide a greater period of time for the implementation of the requirements so that further discussion can take place with interested parties regarding the availability of adequate funding.

            On a vote by show of hands twenty-one Members voted for the amendment and fourteen against and it was accordingly declared carried.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendment in relation to the Safety of Sports Grounds Legislation, the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 4th November were approved and adopted.

17^th and 18^th November, 2009.

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 17th and 18th November, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

29^th October and 5^th and 19^th November, 2009.

Request for Matter to be

Taken Back for Further Consideration

            The Trunk Road T14 (A55 Knock Road)

            At the request of Councillor Empey, the Chairman (Councillor Campbell), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of the meeting of 19th November under the heading “The Trunk Road T14 (A55 Knock Road)” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing omission, the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 29th October and 5th and 19th November, omitting matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, were approved and adopted.

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor N. Kelly proposed:

      “This Council recognises that there is a need to encourage wider interest among the public, and particularly young people, in the affairs of the Council.

      One means of creating enhanced awareness and participation would be to follow the lead set by the Northern Ireland Assembly and authorise the live streaming and archiving of Council proceedings on the Internet.

      To this end, the Council directs that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee give consideration to this matter in terms of constraints, benefits and costs with a view to bringing a recommendation to the Council at an early date.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Convery.

            Prior to the Notice of Motion being considered, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor Long) reminded the Council that Standing Order 11 (e) specified that, if a subject matter of any Motion of which Notice had been given comes within the province of any Committee, upon being moved and seconded, it shall stand referred without discussion to that Committee or such other Committee as the Council may determine for consideration and report.

            Accordingly, the right Honourable the Lord Mayor indicated that the matter would be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee without debate.

            In the absence of Councillor A. Maskey, in whose name the Motion had been submitted, Councillor M. Browne proposed:

      “The Council is concerned about the problems in the Holyland area of the City which have been evident for a number of years.  It recognises the work that its officers have undertaken in leading a multi-agency group to take forward interventions to deal with some of the issues which residents have to face.

      The Council also welcomes the recent initiative led by the Minister for Employment and Learning, bringing together a Stakeholder Forum aimed at involving all groups in defining the problems and suggesting possible solutions.

      To support this work and to ensure a long-term strategic approach, the Council supports the commissioning of a discrete study, led by Council officials in conjunction with other agencies, which specifically identifies the underlying causes of these problems and leads to the development of proposals for a long-term strategic plan for the area.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor C. Maskey.

            After discussion, the Notice of Motion was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.  (During discussion on the Motion, Councillor Empey declared an interest in that he was the Minister for Employment and Learning.)

            The Council noted that Councillor Crozier had withdrawn the above-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in his name.