Agenda and minutes

            An apology was received from Councillor McDonough-Brown.

            The minutes of the meetings of 14th January and 9th February, 2026, were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that the minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 9th February, 2026.

            In relation to the item ‘Vacant to Vibrant Programme Update’, Councillor McCallin declared an interest in that a member of her family was employed by an organisation which had applied to the scheme, Councillor Duffy declared an interest in that he had assisted an organisation with an application to the scheme, and Councillor Groogan declared an interest in that her employer was in receipt of a grant through the scheme. As this item did not become the subject of debate, the Members were not required to leave the meeting.

            In relation to the item ‘City Imagining Investment Programme - Cultural Multi-Annual Grants’, Councillors McCabe and Groogan declared an interest in that they were associated with organisations which had applied for funding and left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.

            Councillor R. McLaughlin declared an interest in relation to the item ‘Request to Present – Belfast Harbour Commissioners’, in that he was on the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners and left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.

            The Director of Economic Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report / Summary of Main Issues

1.1        The purpose of the report is to:

·        Introduce the plans for the BID One ballot which closes on 5 March 2026

·        Secure Committee approval to submit council votes for properties located within the BID One boundary.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to:

·        Note the update on the ballot for the third term of the Belfast One BID (Business Improvement District)

·        Agree to return yes votes for the Council properties located within the boundary. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware that there are three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Belfast city centre: BID One which covers the main retail core and runs from the City Hall down to the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street; Linen Quarter which covers the office district to the north the City Hall including the new Transport Hub and Destination CQ which covers the Cathedral Quarter including the Ulster University campus. 

3.2       Under government legislation, all BIDs operate on a five-year term.  At the end of each term, a ballot must take place in order for the BID to continue its work.  BID One is the longest standing of the three BIDs and began operations in April 2016. The ballot for the third term of BID One opened on 22 January 2026 and all votes must be submitted by 5 March 2026.

3.3       In order for the proposal to be successful at ballot, the result will need to meet, as a minimum, three independent criteria, namely:

1.     There must be more yes votes than no votes (volume)

2.     Total rateable value of yes votes must exceed total rateable value of no votes (value)

3.     The turnout of ballot papers returned must be no less than 25% of the eligible rate payers entitled to vote in the ballot and total no less than 25% of the eligible rateable value.

3.4       The BID One area contains around 700 units that are eligible for votes.  Each property must pay an annual mandatory BID levy – depending on the NAV (Net Annual Value) of the property. The council has seven properties within the BID One boundary including City Hall, 2 Royal Avenue and the former Digital Services building in Gloucester Street. The combined levy total for all properties is around £23,000 annually.  The expected levy total for all properties (assuming 100% payment) is around £1million annually.  This expenditure will be allocated in line with business plan priorities.

3.5       BID One works closely with the council on a range of issues related to safety, cleanliness and vibrancy in the city centre.  The team and the Board are also represented on a number of city centre forums and working groups and, given their mandate, represent a strong conduit for engagement with city centre businesses operating in this geographical area.   Their five-year business plan for the upcoming term proposes focusing resources on four main areas of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following eight items is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            Members were also reminded that the content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which took place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and that no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Vacant to Vibrant Programme, and which sought approval for citywide grant awards as recommended by the Vacant to Vibrant assessment panel following receipt of recent applications.

The Committee:

i.       noted the update in relation to the Vacant to Vibrant Programme, which would be supporting up to seventy-five businesses and organisations to locate or expand into long-term vacant units; and

ii.      agreed the recommended citywide grant awards as outlined within the report.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided an update on the ongoing Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise for the future long-term use of the ground floor of 2 Royal Avenue.

            The Director reminded the Committee that, at its meeting in November, 2025, the Committee had agreed a new two-stage EOI process, and associated criteria, which would be undertaken for the long-term future use of the ground floor of 2 Royal Avenue. She advised the Committee that the new EOI process had commenced on 6th January, 2026, and that a further report would be brought back to the Committee following completion of the EOI. She also drew the Committee’s attention to correspondence which had been received from an organisation which had used 2 Royal Avenue raising concern in relation to its future use.

            During discussion, the Director answered a range of questions from the Members in relation to the EOI process, meanwhile use of the building, financial sustainability, and the need for the ground floor use to be complementary and compatible with the LGBTQIA+ Hub proposed for the first floor of the building.

            In response to a Member’s question in relation to the condition of the building and potential works that may be required to be undertaken by the Council, the Director advised that a building survey would be progressed. She highlighted that, at its meeting in October, 2025, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that 2 Royal Avenue Capital Works be added as a ‘Stage 1 – Emerging’ project within the Council’s capital programme. She advised that this would allow for a business case to be developed to consider any potential capital works required, and enable the Council, as the landlord, to meet its obligations to prospective occupiers and ensure that the building would be fit for purpose.

After discussion, the Committee noted:

i.       the update on the ongoing expression of interest (EOI) process for the future long-term use of 2 Royal Avenue’s ground floor; and

ii.      that a report would be brought back to a future meeting following the closure and review of Stage 1 of the EOI exercise.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided an update on the ongoing assessment of the Department for Communities’ changes to the Total Cost Indicator (TCI) and Housing Association Grant (HAG) rates.

            The Director outlined the emerging implications for the delivery of social housing within the city, particularly in respect of the city centre, and set out the scope of the detailed analysis which would be brought back to the Committee following engagement with relevant delivery agents. She highlighted that the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) had been engaged to support the Council’s work alongside the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA), two Housing Associations with experience of development within the city, and private sector partners to undertake an analysis of the impact of the policy changes.

The Committee:

i.       noted the interim findings and emerging issues outlined within the report;

ii.      noted the ongoing engagement with the Housing Associations, NIFHA (Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations) and private sector partners to inform an upcoming report which would be undertaken in conjunction with the UUEPC (Ulster University Economic Policy Centre);

iii.     agreed that officers would continue to develop the detailed evidence base and options and that a report would be brought back to a future meeting;

iv.    agreed that, following the completion of the work with the UUEPC, a Members’ workshop would be held; and

v.      agreed that officers continue to engage with the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to ensure the city’s position is reflected in the ongoing review of social housing grant rates.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the ‘A Bolder Vision (ABV) for Belfast’strategy; set out the key moves to deliver ABV; outlined proposed supporting interventions, aligned to the Belfast Agenda 2024-28 and the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022; and highlighted the opportunity to use ABV to frame the Council’s response to the upcoming Eastern Transport Plan and other future consultation plans in relation to public realm, mobility and connectivity.

Proposal

Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

Seconded by Councillor Groogan and

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Communities to request a meeting in relation to the ABV, the Eastern Transport Plan, the Belfast Streets Ahead Programme and the Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 project.

Accordingly, the Committee:

i.       noted the update on ‘A Bolder Vision’ (ABV) which included the schemes already delivering on the vision and the previously agreed key moves; and

ii.      agreed the proposed updated supporting interventions to enable the finalisation of the strategy as the Council’s position on major infrastructure and policy consultations, with the understanding that any consultation responses would be brought back for Committee’s approval prior to submission; and

iii.     agreed to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Communities to request a meeting in relation to the ABV, the Eastern Transport Plan, the Belfast Streets Ahead Programme and the Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 project.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the item to enable further information to be submitted to a special meeting to be held on 24th February, 2026.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the proposed scale of charges for Belfast Castle and Malone House for 2026/27, and which sought approval for price increases for booking fees.

            The Committee agreed the price increases for booking fees for Belfast Castle and Malone House, which would take effect from 1st April, 2026

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the proposed scale of charges for Belfast Zoo for 2026/27, and which sought approval for price increases for existing categories of ticket types and products/services.

            The Committee agreed the price increases for existing categories of ticket types and products/services for Belfast Zoo, which would take effect from 1st April, 2026.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in relation to operational planning, communication and engagement.

            The Committee noted the update and that, at its meeting in January, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had:

·        noted the progress to date on the development of the Fleadh Cheoil;

·        agreed that an Expression of Interest exercise be undertaken in relation to a food market for local businesses; and

·        agreed that a report be submitted to a future Committee in relation to Camp Site provision and Licensing requirements for traders.

            The Committee acceded to a request from Visit Belfast to present its annual Business Plan at the Committee meeting on 11th March, 2026.

            The Committee acceded to a request from the Belfast Harbour Commissioners to present its draft Masterplan 2025-50 at the Committee’s special meeting on 25th March, 2026.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report / Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To provide members with a report and overview of the 2025 festive lighting scheme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Note the contents of this report and request to facilitate a Members workshop for planning for 2026.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Background and Programme Context

            The Culture Team currently led on the delivery of the Council’s Christmas Lighting Scheme, working in partnership with appointed contractors, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), internal Estates and Property teams, and private landowners to deliver a city centre-wide festive lighting programme.

            In March 2025, a new tender was issued inviting proposals from contractors to deliver the city’s Christmas lighting provision. This procurement process reflected a shift in approach, recognising the importance of festive lighting not only as seasonal decoration, but as a strategic cultural and economic intervention supporting city centre vitality.

            The tender placed particular emphasis on the role of Christmas lighting in contributing to economic recovery, reinforcing Belfast City Centre’s position as a major retail, leisure and cultural destination, encouraging increased footfall, and enhancing the overall visitor experience during the peak winter trading period.

            This approach aligns with the broader principles of the City’s Lighting Strategy, which positions lighting as a core component of public realm quality, place identity, safety, and the activation of the night-time economy.

3.2       Strategic Objectives of the Christmas Lighting Scheme

            One of the core objectives of the Christmas Lighting Programme is to improve connectivity and coherence across the city centre, creating strong visual and experiential linkages between key destinations, including:

·        Belfast Christmas Market at City Hall

·        Victoria Square Shopping Centre

·        CastleCourt Shopping Centre

·        Primary pedestrian corridors such as Royal Avenue and Donegall Place

            The lighting scheme is therefore not intended as a series of isolated installations, but as a coordinated city centre network that supports pedestrian movement, wayfinding, and dwell time across multiple retail, leisure and cultural anchors.

3.3       2025 Programme Delivery and Performance

            2025 Infrastructure Uplift and Enhancements

            As part of the 2025 programme uplift, Department for Infrastructure (DfI) lighting columns were upgraded in line with current electrical and safety standards. This enabled the safe addition of column-mounted Christmas lighting features across the city centre.

            Additional lighting was installed along Royal Avenue, including illumination of street trees. This intervention was widely recognised by BIDs and private landowners as having a positive impact on the inner-city core, contributing to improved ambience and increased evening activity.

            New lighting curtain installations were introduced on Castle Place and Fountain Lane, alongside colour-controlled festoon lighting on Garfield Street. Going forward, both the Fountain Lane lighting curtain and the Garfield Street festoon installations will remain in situ, with no additional cost to the Council, providing ongoing value from the initial investment.

            Some minor issues were recorded during the season, primarily relating to servicing and loading vehicles coming into contact with lighting elements. In total, there were approximately 6 contractor call-outs related to maintenance and minor repairs.

            Festive Lighting Commission and Switch-On Event  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15a

            The Director of Economic Development submitted the following report for the Committee’s consideration:

“1.0     Purpose of Report / Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the proposed approach to the delivery of Culture Night 2026. The recommendations are informed by the draft independent evaluation of Culture Night 2025 undertaken by Thrive and build on the delivery model approved by Committee in April 2025.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

            Note the contents of the report in relation to the delivery of Culture Night 2025.

            Approve the proposed approach for Culture Night 2026 as outlined in this report including £150,000 commitment to delivery of Culture Night 2026 through a procurement process including an option to extend the contract to cover delivery of Culture Night 2027 upon successful delivery in 2026.

3.0       Culture Night 2025 Review & Recommendations

3.1       Background

            Culture Night returned to Belfast in September 2025 following a six-year absence precipitated by the Covid crisis, and the host organisation (Cathedral Quarter Trust) folding operations. The 2025 event was delivered as a venue-led, city-wide programme, prioritising free, accessible and family-friendly activity and operating through a receiving house model. As a pilot to supporting a new approach to Culture Night delivery a number of artists, cultural organisations and venues were financially supported to participate, and no street-based programming or road closures were included. In August 2025, Belfast City Council commissioned Thrive to undertake an independent evaluation of Culture Night 2025. The evaluation assessed audience experience, participation, accessibility, economic impact and delivery effectiveness, and identified learning to inform future iterations.

3.2       Key Findings from Thrive Evaluation

            The evaluation concluded that the pilot for a new approach to Culture Night 2025 was a success, generating positive audience experiences, sector goodwill and an estimated attendance of 50,000 people. Audiences valued the safe, welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, while participants reported high levels of satisfaction and willingness to take part again

            Areas identified for further development included improved signage and navigation between sites, earlier engagement with the cultural sector, including artists, venues and organisations, and continued strengthening of activity across all areas of the city beyond the city centre and Cathedral Quarter. Key findings are:

            Economic Impact

·        Estimated attendance of approximately 50,000 people across the city.

·        Average spend per attendee who spent money was £33.33.

·        Estimated total economic impact of approximately a minimum £1.67 million for the city.

            Audience Feedback

·        86% of audiences rated their overall experience as good or very good.

·        95% of attendees spent two or more hours at Culture Night, with 33% spending five or more hours.

·        44% of audiences reported visiting venues or places they had not previously visited.

·        Audiences particularly valued the safe, welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere.

            Audience Profile

·        Audiences were younger and more diverse than typical arts audiences in Belfast.

·        14% of attendees lived in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland.

·        20% of respondents identified as disabled, including people with invisible and neurodivergent conditions.

·        14% of respondents identified as LGBTQ+.

            Geographic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

            The Committee considered a report which sought approval for the granting of a market licence to Artisan Markets NI to hold a number of markets at Belfast Castle over the period April to November, 2026.

            The Committee approved the granting of a licence to Artisan Markets NI.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted the following report for the Committee’s consideration:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on the Belfast Regeneration Place Based Growth Proposition.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                          I.        Note the update on the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition, including the completion of the business Case for Place-Based Investment which has been forwarded to UK Government for consideration.

                                        II.        Note the update on ongoing strategic engagement with the UK Government in Westminster, including recent attendance at the Scottish Cities Alliance Devolution focused roundtable.

                                       III.        Approve attendance of the Chair of the City Growth & Regeneration Committee and the Council’s nominated Elected Member / Chair of the BRCD Council Panel to attend UKREiiF as part of the Belfast City & Region Place Partnership Delegation.   As noted below this would include attendance at a planned Devolved Nations Political Leaders Meeting, and also provide an opportunity to participate in advocacy and engagement activities to support the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition.

                                      IV.        Note the continued role for Members in terms of political party engagement at local, MP and ministerial level. 

3.0       Background

3.1       The Committee will recall receiving an update in September 2025, followed by a further report to the SP&R Committee in November 2025, on the Belfast Place-Based Growth Proposition. The Proposition sets out the case for enhanced regeneration funding consistent with other UK cities, and aligned with a growth proposition which is underpinned by a full Business Case and aligned to city regeneration priorities. 

3.2       As previously reported to Committee, Belfast faces a structural regeneration deficit that cannot be addressed through existing funding mechanisms. The city has experienced long-term underinvestment specifically aimed at regeneration, limited devolved powers and stalled development activity. Public spending on regeneration is approximately half that of comparable English cities, and key funding streams available elsewhere in the UK have not been extended to Northern Ireland, resulting in missed economic and social opportunities. The English Devolution White Paper signalled a significant shift in funding and powers for English cities. Without parity of targeted regeneration investment, Belfast risks falling even further behind in terms of growth and city competitiveness.

3.3       The Proposition seeks to secure targeted regeneration funding from the UK Government to support housing-led regeneration across all tenures; tackle dereliction; enhance infrastructure, connectivity, public realm and placemaking; unlock major regeneration schemes; and deliver high quality public and green spaces.

3.4       Development of the Proposition has been informed by extensive engagement with cross-sector stakeholders and aligns with the findings of the Belfast City Centre Regeneration & Investment Strategy (BCCRIS) Stocktake, which received political and stakeholder endorsement. 

4.0       Main Report

4.1       Belfast Business Case for Place-Based Investment

            As noted to Committee in September 2025, the Place Proposition is supported by a full five-part business case outlining the strategic, economic, commercial, financial and management cases supporting the request to Westminster. It sets out how the Council has spent the past  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

(Councillor R. Brooks attended in connection to this item.)

            With the permission of the Chairperson, Councillor R. Brooks addressed the Committee in respect of a number of issues relating to the Newtownards Road.

            Councillor R. Brooks reminded the Committee that she had attended its meeting in March, 2025, to speak in relation to the closure of the Connswater Shopping Centre and the impact on the local community. She highlighted that, following the closure of Connswater Shopping Centre, there had been further commercial properties which had closed on the Newtownards Road, which included the recently closed Wyse Byse store. She highlighted the impact of that the closures on the Newtownards Road and the local community, and the need for urgent interventions to address issues including land banking, dereliction and deterioration of buildings, to help restore confidence and footfall in the area.

Proposal

Moved by Councillor S. Douglas,

Seconded by Councillor Bunting,

      “That the Committee agrees that Council officers convene an urgent meeting of the key strategic partners of the ‘Our Vision for Newtownards Road 2030’ Plan; that the current position of the plan be reviewed against the actions set out therein, with any necessary time-bound interventions identified; and that a report be brought back to provide an update on the plan’s delivery to date and proposed next steps.”

            During discussion, a Member requested that the proposed report include also further information on the Council’s statutory powers and functions in respect of addressing such issues across the city.

            During further discussion, a Member highlighted the recent closure of the Wyse Byse store on the Cregagh Road and highlighted the potential impact to confidence and footfall on the Cregagh Road and Woodstock Road. The Member requested that Council officers engage with Members from the Lisnasharragh and Titanic District Electoral Areas (DEAs) in relation to the Cregagh Road and Woodstock Road and the impact of the recent commercial property closures.

Accordingly, the Committee agreed:

i.       that officers convene an urgent meeting of the key strategic partners of the ‘Our Vision for Newtownards Road 2030’ Plan;

ii.      that the current position of the plan be reviewed against the actions set out therein, with any necessary time-bound interventions identified;

iii.     that a report be brought back to provide an update on the plan’s delivery to date, the proposed next steps, and further information in respect of statutory powers and functions; and

iv.    that officers engage with Members from the Lisnasharragh and Titanic DEAs in relation to the Cregagh Road and Woodstock Road and the impact of recent commercial property closures on those areas.