Agenda item

            The Committee considered the report which provided an update on the 2026/27 Capital Programme and associated capital financing, as well as requests for stage movement approvals under the Capital Programme.

            During discussion, the Committee raised a number of additional improvements to be investigated.

            After discussion, the Committee:

            Capital Programme Movements -

o   Parks and Open Space Improvement Programme – Agreed that the Programme for improvements to Parks and Open Spaces for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 be moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £1.5million (£750k – Year 1 and £750k- Year 2) and noted that a rolling allocation of £750k had been agreed going forwards and agreed that the scope of the Ballyhackamore Parklet improvements covered the existing green areas and that the pathway in Gilnahirk Park be added, subject to budget availability.

o   Bridges Improvement Programme - Agreed that the project be moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £240,000 for Year 1 and agreed the annual rolling programme of bridge improvements of £240,000 per year thereafter.

o   IT Programme — Digitising Audio-Visual (AV) Technology - Noted that a satisfactory tender return had been received and that the Director of Finance had confirmed that this project was within the affordability limits of the Council and agreed that a maximum of up to £225,000 be allocated.

o   City Hall – Security Improvements - Agreed that the project be moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

o   Artificial Lighting in Parks Sites - Agreed that the project be added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

o   Procurement process for Parks and Open Spaces Improvement Programme, Bridges Programme, Pitches Programme and Leisure Programme - agreed that any necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for these Programmes as required with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

o   Belfast Zoo/Old Zoo – agreed that Member site visits be undertaken to a range of other Zoo locations to inform the ongoing work in respect of the Zoo.

Capital Programme and Capital Financing 2026/27

o   noted the update on Capital Financing as outlined in 3.10 of he report and the update on the Capital Programme for 2026/27 at 3.11 and in Appendix 1.

o   agreed to hold Party Group Briefings to update Members on the status of projects along with the emerging implications for future capital investment decisions and in particular the potential impact on the future district rate in line with the development of the Medium-Term Financial Plan and linked to the ongoing Transformation and Efficiency agenda.

            The Committee also noted that, following requests by several Members, further updates would be provided on:

·        Girdwood Indoor Sports Facility including financing and health and safety works at the Girdwood Community Hub;

·        Strangford Avenue Playing Fields potential play park;

·        Cavehill Park proposals and potential for mobile coffee unit; and

·        Vesting process of rear gate at Cherryvale Park.