Agenda and minutes

No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting of 19th December were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 8th January, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, and subject to the amendments of the minutes under the following heading:

Hardship Programme 2025/26 –

Response from the Department for Communities Minister

            That the Council writes to:

·        the Minster for Communities to express its objection to the confirmation that the Department for Communities hardship funding, provided in 2023/24, would not be available in future years, and to encourage the Minister to look at more equitable ways to tax the profits of energy companies to help fund the service going forward; and

·        the Minister of Education to express its concern in relation to the Education Authority’s decision to increase the price of school meals, and to state its support of the campaign by trade unions for the delivery of free school meals for all children.

            Councillors Beattie, Black and I. McLaughlin declared an interest under item 3.b) Community Support Plan - Large Grant Funding Programme, in that they were associated with a group/organisation which had applied for or received funding. As the item did not become the subject of debate, they were not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor Murray declared an interest in items 3.c) Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in that he was employed for the S.O.S who were a delivery partner of the Fleadh. As the related interest did not become the subject of debate, he was not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor R-M. Donnelly declared an interest under item 6. (a) Minutes of Shared City Partnership, in so far as it related to PEACEPLUS in that she worked for an organisation which was funded under the Programme, and also item 3.b) Community Support Plan - Large Grant Funding Programme, in that she was the Chairperson of New Start Education. As the items did not become the subject of debate, she was not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor de Faoite declared an interest under item 5.c) Planning Information, in that he was on the Board of Governors of Forge Integrated Primary School. As the item did not become the subject of debate, he was not required to leave the meeting.

            In relation to item 9.c) Request for use of City Hall grounds for various events in 2026, Councillor Whyte declared an interest in that his employment was associated with one of the event applicants and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration.

            The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Dr. S. Blockwell, Head of Investment Management, and Mr. G. Lawther, Head of Developer Services, Metering and Billing representing Norther Ireland Water to the meeting.

The representatives provided a presentation on the following themes:

·        NI Water Governance Model and vital service infrastructure overview;

·        NI’s Wastewater System and Wastewater Network Capacity Issues;

·        Challenges for the environment and for New Connections in Belfast;

·        Enquiries requiring significant capital interventions to facilitate a connection due to high polluting assets;

·        Belfast Strategic Drainage Infrastructure Plan catchments and Council boundaries;

·        Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and Water Framework Directive:

·        Water quality issues in Belfast Lough;

·        Belfast Lough modelling confirmed environmental impacts;

·        Belfast City Council’s ambitions – Local Development Plan;

·        Planned investment update; and

·        The need for a permanent funding solution.

During discussion, the representatives answered a range of questions in relation to capital spend per head in Belfast (in comparison to capital spend in other council areas), pollution of Lough Neagh, the current funding and investment deficit and future funding models, and the impact of new planning applications on the capacity of the Wastewater Treatment Systems.

            Several Members highlighted the need for clear proposals and adequate multi-year budgets, together with interventions on a broader basis to allow smaller developments to proceed.

            Dr. Blockwell stated that the current focus was on base maintenance and highlighted that a permanent funding solution was required, and although short-term injections of surplus funds helped, they were not a sustainable solution for critical infrastructure. He pointed out that, because of the scale of the expenditure required in Belfast, available funds had been invested elsewhere. He advised that, without urgent change to the wastewater system, Northern Ireland faced:

·        Persistent and worsening pollution;

·        Severe restrictions on new housing development; and

·        Reduced attractiveness for investors and slower business development.

            The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance, and they retired from the meeting.

After discussion, the Committee noted the information which had been provided and that, where relevant, Northern Ireland Water would provide further information on the issues raised.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following eleven 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 eleven 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.

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

            The Committee deferred consideration of the report to allow further information to be provided on the efficiency proposals at its special meeting on Friday, 30th January. It was also agreed that reports be submitted on the Pitches Strategy and the strategic future use of Boucher Playing Fields.

            The Committee agreed that the decision should not be subject to call-in, on the basis that an inability to immediately implement the decision would result in a breach of statutory duty in striking the rate by the legislative deadline of 15th February, 2026.

            The Committee deferred consideration of the report to allow further information to be provided at its special meeting on Friday, 30th January.

The Committee was provided with an update on the planning to support the hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast in August 2026.

            During discussion, Members highlighted the need for engagement with local businesses in relation to trading and licensing requirements, the inclusion of local businesses in a food market, further information on campsites, residents’ parking scheme consultations, and further engagement with the wider Bands’ Forum.

            The Committee:

·        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 was provided with an update in relation to City Hall Income Generation proposals and the introduction of the charges set out in the next phase of the project.

            The Committee noted the contents of the report and:

·         Agreed the revision of criteria for the use of Belfast City Hall;

·         Agreed the provision of room hire fees and additional charges / recharges for event services;

·         Noted that information on the impact of the closure of the front doors/gates of the City Hall, due to ground works, would be provided to the Committee; and

·         Agreed to the request from the Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression to undertake consultation events in the City Hall.

The Committee noted the contents of the report which provided an update on the number of employees on temporary contracts, secondments and the number of agency assignees.

The Committee noted the progress on the work programme for the Organisational Reviews and Change Portfolio and timescales going forward.

            The Director of Communications, Marketing and External Affairs advised the Committee of the Council’s current use of its social media corporate account on X (formerly Twitter).

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

            Seconded by Councillor Smyth,

      That the Committee agrees to suspend the Council’s use of its social media account on X and await the outcome of the Ofcom review of the monitoring of Grok (AI assistant app), and that officer’s also engage with the PSNI Cyber Crime Unit in relation to the issues raised.

            On a vote, fifteen Members voted for the proposal and five against, it was declared carried.

            Accordingly, the Committee:

·        Noted the information provided;

·        Agreed to suspend the Council’s use of its social media account on X and await the outcome of the Ofcom review of the monitoring of Grok (AI assistant app); and

·        Agreed that officers engage with the PSNI Cyber Crime Unit in relation to the issues raised.

            The Committee considered a report regarding asset related disposal, acquisition, and estates matters.

            The Committee:

1.    St George’s Market Unit 6 – Lease renewal - Approved the renewal of a Lease to Fullarton Pharmacy Ltd for Unit 6 at St George’s Market;

2.    Agreed that a report be submitted to a future Committee on the strategic use and future provision of Dunbar link and Duncrue, subject to the wider assessment of the Council’s Estate and intrinsic links to future waste and fleet commitments; and

3.    Agreed that a report be submitted to a future committee on the potential for the insourcing of kerbside collection and a Materials Recovery Facility.

            The Director of Property and Projects updated the Committee on the proposed EV Charging Network across Council sites and the proposed list of Council sites to be included within the Tender documentation. 

            The Committee:

·        Noted and agreed the broader list of potential sites included at Appendix 1;

·        Noted the updated indicative timescales under 3.2 of the report: and

·        Noted the opportunity for Members to join an Energy Saving Trust EV webinar, outlined at 3.3 of the report.

            The Committee considered a report on the proposed changes to the delivery of the Summer Community Diversionary Programme 2026 – 2028.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Bunting,

            Seconded by Councillor Ferguson,

      That the Committee agrees to the following funding allocations:

July Programme – Area based Funding allocation

·        North and West Belfast, including the Shankill - £150,000

·        East Belfast - £100,000

·        South Belfast, including Suffolk - £100,000

August Programme – Area based Funding allocation

·        West Belfast - £160,000

·        North Belfast - £95,000

·        South Belfast, including Suffolk and East Belfast - £95,000

            On a vote, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and seven against, and it was declared carried.

            Accordingly, the Committee:

1.            Agreed the delivery of SCDP as a 3-year funding model;

2.            Agreed the following 3 Area Specifications and funding thresholds           for        the July programme:

·        North and West Belfast, including the Shankill - £150,000

·        East Belfast - £100,000

·        South Belfast, including Suffolk - £100,000; and

3.      Agreed the following 3 Area Specifications and funding thresholds for the August programme:

·        West Belfast - £160,000

·        North Belfast - £95,000

·        South and East Belfast, including Suffolk - £95,000.

            The Committee deferred consideration of the report to allow further information to be provided at its special meeting on Friday, 30th January.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to obtain Committee approval of the draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions for 2026-27 (Appendix 1) and to approve their issue for public consultation.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

i.       consider and agree the Council’s proposed 2026-27 draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions (Appendix 1), subject to minor edits based on feedback.

ii.     agree that the proposed 2026-27 draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions (Appendix 1) are issued for public consultation for a period of 8 weeks.  The draft performance improvement objectives are summarised below for Members:

iii.    note the next steps, as outlined in paragraph 3.4 below

Our people and communities

3.0       Main Report

            Background

3.1       Members will be aware that Councils have a statutory performance improvement duty that requires them to develop and consult on an annual Performance Improvement Plan, which must be published by 30 June each year.

3.2       Potential improvement areas for inclusion in the Performance Improvement Plan 2026-27 have been identified through the corporate planning and estimating process as well as a desk-based review of the evidence base.  Draft improvement objectives and indicative actions are provided for Committee in Appendix 1.

3.3       We will formally consult on the draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions using the online YourSay Belfast platform for a period of 8 weeks (16 February – 13 April 2026) and we will use a range of other communication methods to help raise awareness and encourage participation/ reach. Members will note that during the public consultation period, the Performance Improvement Plan for 2026-27 (i.e., KPIs and targets) will continue to be refined and a final draft will be brought back to Committee in April 2026 for approval.

            Next steps and timeline

3.4       To ensure the Performance Improvement Plan 2026-27 is published before the statutory deadline of 30 June 2026, the table below sets out the timetable for finalising the plan:

            The Committee noted the contents of the report which provided an update on major planning applications and applications which had been determined by the Planning Committee.

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To update Members on a number of urban innovation initiatives including the Belfast Region City Deal Contracts for Innovation programme, the Belfast Region AI Adoption programme and the way forward for the City Hall Immersive experience.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

1.     Approve that, on behalf of Belfast Region City Deal partners, Belfast City Council enter into an Operational Partnership Agreement (OPA) with the Strategic Advisory Board to the value of £431,250 to deliver aspects of the planned £4.4 million Contracts for Innovation programme.

2.     Approve that, on behalf of City Deal partners, Belfast City Council provide £50,000 to support an operational partnership agreement (OPA) between the Council and the Strategic Advisory Board to develop the programme business case for the £5 million AI Adoption programme.

3.     To note that Belfast City Council’s engagement on any specific opportunities arising from the AI programme will be managed through the Council’s own Data & Analytics Board with updates being brought to Members via this board.

4.     To consider the options for the future of the City Hall immersive experience from April 2026.

5.     To approve the commissioning of data modelling on the growth of the city region’s innovation sectors to inform future City Deal and Innovation City Belfast decision-making and initiatives.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Belfast City Region Contracts for Innovation programme

            On behalf of Belfast City Region Deal (BRCD) Partners, Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office is currently designing the £4.4 million ‘Contract for Innovation’ programme. This three-year programme will used a modified version of the ‘Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) methodology to allow the six local councils of the city region to procure Research & Development expertise to address large-scale challenges.

3.2       The new programme builds on the learning from the recent Augment the City project, which provided £610,000 R&D funding to Belfast Stories to develop prototypes that will help shape the design of their approach to storytelling.

3.3       Members are asked to note that to support the delivery of aspects of the new programme, City Deal partners have agreed to enter into an operational partnership agreement (OPA) with the Strategic Advisory Board (SIB) which has a full-time SBRI team in place and access to other technical expertise. This OPA, which will be between Belfast City Council and SIB, will be to the value of £431,250.

3.4       Belfast City Region AI Adoption programme

            On behalf of Belfast Region City Deal partners, Belfast City Council are designing a £5 million AI adoption programme for the six BRCD councils. The programme, which will be subject to business case approval, will provide funding to the councils to work with AI specialist to integrate AI into aspects of council service delivery that will support organisational transformation and efficiencies.

3.5       Following a series of AI readiness workshops with officers from all six Belfast Region councils (alongside officers from all NI’s councils who were also invited), City Deal partners now wish to develop the business case for the programme.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4c

The Director of Planning and Building Control submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To outline the legislation, policy and procedural considerations relating to the re-naming of streets in the City.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Members are asked to note the approved procedure to be followed when a proposal to re-name a street is received and to decide whether to move forward with the renaming process for Prince Andrew Park and Prince Andrew Gardens in the absence of an application from an individual.

            Should Members be minded to trigger the renaming process, it is recommended that an initial petition is not carried out but that officers work with Elected Members in the appropriate DEA to generate alternative street names to be included in the survey of persons affected by the renaming proposal.

3.0       Main Report

            Background

3.1       The power for the Council to name streets is contained in Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1995.

3.2       This legislation contains no procedural advice regarding the naming or re-naming of streets and in this regard the procedures to be applied are covered by policy and practice.

3.3       The current policy on re-naming streets in Belfast is contained in the Street Naming and Building Numbering Policy approved by Council in February 2009 (Appendix 1).

3.4       The Council need to carefully consider any application for renaming of streets within its boundaries, as renaming of streets has profound implications on address management for the city, emergency services and the public. In practice this will primarily impact residents and any businesses owners and their tenants whose personal, business and legal documentation associated with their current address will need to be changed. This will be the responsibility of residents and local businesses.

3.5       At the Council meeting in November 2025, Members asked for a report on the process for renaming streets given that two streets within Belfast contain the name ‘Prince Andrew’; namely Prince Andrew Park and Prince Andrew Gardens.

            Overview of the Procedure and key considerations

3.6       Relevant policy considerations are outlined below: -

            Application

3.7       The Street Naming and Building Numbering Policy as approved assumes that an individual will make an application to rename a street.

            Initial petition.

3.8       Any application for re-naming of a street is expected to be accompanied by an initial petition of not less than one third of all residents of the street showing a positive interest in changing the street name. The adopted policy sets out that a request from an individual without support of survey or signed petition will not be considered and the individual will be informed accordingly.

3.9       There is no definition of resident, or explanation of how a petition of residents would be verified, however a resident could be considered to be any person whose name appears in the current Electoral Register plus the owners or tenants in actual possession of commercial premises given that business premises would also be impacted by this name  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme currently includes over 200 capital projects with investment of £150m+ via a range of internal and external funding streams, together with projects which the Council delivers on behalf of external agencies. The Council’s Capital Programme forms part of the Physical Programme and is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council facilities or provides new facilities. This report presents requests for stage movement approvals under the Capital Programme along with updates on capital letters of offer and contracts awarded.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

·        Capital Programme Movements -

o   IT Programme—Digitising Audio-Visual (AV) Technology in the Council Chamber - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with a contract to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

o   Sydenham Greenway - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with a contract to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

o   Staff Cycle Racks Installation - Agree that the project is 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.

·        Floral Hall H&S Works– note the previous health & safety works undertaken on the Floral Hall and agree the second phase of health & safety works is now undertaken with a budget of £565,000 and that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council.

·        Belfast Stories – note the key conditions within the Contract for Funding from the Department for the Economy (DfE) for the project.

·        Procurement process for 2026/27 Non-Recurrent Programme, Fleet Programme and Externally Funded Projects - agree that any necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for any Physical Programme projects in 2026/27 including Fleet Replacement Programme, non-recurrent programme and externally funded projects as required with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

·        Capital Letters of Offer – to note the update in relation to capital letters of offer.

·        Contracts awarded in Q3 2025/26 – to note the update in relation to contracts awarded.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

            Physical Programme

3.1       Members will be aware that the Council runs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Head of Commercial and Procurement Services provided an update in relation to contracts and competitive tenders.

            During discussion, the Strategic Director of Place and Economy undertook to provide further information in relation to the existing contract with Oxford Innovation for the Innovation Factory to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

            The Committee:

·        Approved the public advertisement of tenders as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 1);

·        Approved the award of STAs in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 2); and

·        Approved the modification of the contract as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 3).

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

Table 2: Single Tender Actions

The Committee approved the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on the 12th January, including:

Good Relations Action Plan Quarter 3 Update

·            The Shared City Partnership noted the contents of the report and recommends to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it notes the contents of the report.

PEACEPLUS – Local Community Action Plan Secretariat Update

·            The Shared City Partnership Members noted the contents of the report, specifically the process for tolerances and the relevant percentage approvals by Project Managers, Programme Manager / Good Relations Manager and Programme Board, and recommend that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee also notes and agrees the content of the report.

Peace Plus Thriving and Peaceful Communities Thematic Update

·            The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report

Peace Plus Celebrating Culture and Diversity Thematic Update

·            The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report

Community Regeneration & Transformation Thematic Update

·            The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report

Workshop - Good Relations Audit Strategy and Action Plan

·            The Shared City Partnership noted the contents of the report and recommended to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that they also note the contents of the report, agree the contents of the new Good Relations Audit and 2026/2027 Good Relations Action Plan for issue to The Executive Office, and approve the Good Relations Strategy to undergo a public consultation exercise via the Council’s Your Say Platform. It was also agreed that the Partnership would hold a further consultation session on 4th February to further consider the Draft Good Relations Strategy

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 15th January, 2026.

The Committee approved the recommendations as set out below:

The Committee:

1.        Authorised the use of City Hall grounds on the dates noted in the report; and

2.       Authorised the following events to take place on the basis of submission of an event management plan and risk assessment to ensure delivery of a safe public events:

·        Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial Event – 12th April, 2026

·        Belfast Photo Festival – 1 June 2026 – 30th June, 2026

·        Action Cancer Breast Foot Forward Walk – 5th June, 2026

·        Féile Rock’s Pride Concert – TBC

            In response to the request from Councillor De Faoite, following conversations with the partner organisations in the LGBT+ Hub, for the consideration of public art in the form of a mural on the tower at the Bank Square entrance of 2 Royal Avenue, the Committee agreed a report on how this would be facilitated, resourced and managed would be brought back to the Committee.