Agenda and draft minutes

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported on behalf of The High Sheriff (Alderman McCoubrey) and Councillor McCusker.

Declarations of Interest

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee

            Alderman McCullough and Councillors Beattie, Black, Bradley, Carson, P. Donnelly, R.M. Donnelly, Doran, Duffy, Groogan, McCabe, McCullough, I. McLaughlin and Verner all declared interests under the item ‘Community Support Plan - Large Grant Funding Programme’, in that they were associated with a group which had applied for, or had received, funding under the terms of the programme. Councillor R-M. Donnelly advised also that she was the chairperson of ‘New Start Education’ and Councillor McCann declared an interest in that he was related to an individual who worked for the charity which employed Councillor P. Donnelly.

            Councillor Murray declared an interest under the item ‘Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann’ in that he was employed for the SOS Bus NI, who were a delivery partner for the event.

            Councillors Carson, M. Donnelly, P. Donnelly, R-M. Donnelly, Duffy, Groogan, Murray, McCabe and Verner declared interests under the item ‘Minutes of Shared City Partnership’ which related to the matters ‘PEACEPLUS’ and ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls’ in that they worked for organisations which had applied for, or were in receipt of, funding under the programmes.

            Councillor R. McLaughlin declared an interest under the item ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls’ in that his partner was a Junior Minister within the Executive Office and had worked in developing that project.         

            Councillor de Faoite declared an interest under the item ‘Planning Information’ in that he was on the Board of Governors of Forge Integrated Primary School.

            Councillor Whyte declared an interest under the item ‘Request for Use of the City Hall Grounds for Various Events in 2026’, in that his employer was associated with one of the applicants.

            Councillor D. Douglas declared an interest under the item ‘Pitches Programme – Proposed Phasing and Implementation Plan’ in that a member of his family played for Bloomfield Football Club.

Climate and City Resilience Committee

            Councillor T. Brooks declared an interest within the Climate and City Resilience Committee minutes under the item ‘UPSURGE EU Horizon Project’ in that her employer, The Queen’s University of Belfast, was linked to the funding of research for the project.   

            With the exception of the item ‘Pitches Programme – Proposed Phasing and Implementation Plan,’ none of the matters above became the subject of discussion or debate and the Members were not required to leave the meeting. However, Councillor D. Douglas did not vote or partake in any discussion or debate relating to the item ‘Pitches Programme – Proposed Phasing and Implementation Plan.’

Requests have been received from a number of broadcasting companies to film and broadcast proceedings.

The Council is asked to consider the requests.  

            The Chief Executive reported that requests had been received from the BBC and UTV to film the proceedings of the meeting.

            The Council acceded to the requests and the representatives of the broadcasting organisations were admitted to the meeting.

The Lord Mayor referred to an unprovoked attack on three members of Council staff which had occurred in central Belfast on 31st January. She condemned the incident and added that her thoughts and prayers were with the members of staff. A number of Members concurred with the Lord Mayor’s comments and extended their best wishes to the staff members.

            The Lord Mayor referred also to the recent retirements of long-standing staff members Mr. Cormac McCann and Ms. Mary McKenna. She thanked them both for their dedication to service and, on behalf of the Council, wished them well in retirement.

            Councillor R. Brooks paid tribute to Mr. Jonathan McAlpine of the Eastside Partnership on the successful hosting the Eastside Awards and congratulated those groups and individuals who had been nominated. In particular, she referred Mr. Gregor Galway of Templemore Baths, Ms. Dot Blackburn from the Cregagh Estate and the Titanic Gentlemen’s Club, all of whom had received awards. At Councillor R. Brooks’ request, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to congratulate the individuals and the club mentioned.

            Councillor Dornan referred to the recent passing of Ms. Violet Larmour, who was a past member of Council staff. Councillor Larmour paid tribute to Ms. Larmour’s loyalty and community activism and added that she would be dearly missed within the wider Shankill area. At Councillor Dornan’s request, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to Ms. Larmour’s family to express condolences on behalf of the Council. 

            Councillor Groogan referred to recent revelations which had linked the former Senator George Mitchell, who had been made a Freeman of the City in 2018, to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She added that she had requested that the Chief Executive put in place a review of the former Senator’s status as a Freeman of the City and to make appropriate changes to demonstrate the Council's commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity. In response, the Chief Executive indicated that legal advice had been sought in the matter.

            Councillor McKeown congratulated Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School on their winning of the MacLarnon Cup when they had defeated St Eunan’s of Letterkenny in the final on 5th February. In addition, Councillor McKeown expressed his gratitude to those staff members who had overseen the work associated with the opening of the dedicated dog park within Ormeau Park.

            Councillor Long thanked all those staff members who had been involved in the delivery of the Council’s first-ever epilepsy awareness session, which had taken place to coincide with International Epilepsy Day earlier that morning. Councillor S. Douglas concurred with the comments of Councillor Long.

            Councillor Meenahan referred to the recent passing of Mr. Danny Hale, who had been a prolific goal scorer for, amongst other clubs, Cliftonville, Crusaders and Derry City throughout the 1960s. At Councillor Meenahan’s request, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to Mr. Hale’s family to express condolences on behalf of the Council. 

            Alderman Copeland congratulated Mr. A. J. Carlisle and Ms. Emma Kincaid of the St John’s Ambulance -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Notification has been received from the Social Democratic and Labour Party indicating that it wishes to make the following changes to its committee memberships:

•           Councillor de Faoite to replace Councillor McKeown on the People and Communities Committee; and

•           The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Doherty) to replace Councillor Whyte on the Licensing Committee.

Notification has been received also from Sinn Fein indicating that it wishes to replace Councillor Ronan McLaughlin with Councillor Seanna Walsh.

The Council is asked to note the changes of membership.

The Chief Executive reported that a request to address the Council had been received from Ms. C. McStravick (Northern Ireland Council on Voluntary Action) and Ms. J. Kinnear (Ashton Community Trust) in relation to the motion under the heading ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’, which had been adopted by the Standards and Business Committee at its meeting on 27th January. The Council acceded to the request and the deputation was admitted to the Chamber.

            The Council was informed that the Westminster Government’s decision to phase out the U.K. Shared Prosperity Fund and to replace it with the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland would reduce significantly the annual revenue funding received to address economic inactivity. It was stated that the change would impact significantly on those with complex health, wellbeing, and employability needs and on those local organisations which supported people to return to employment each year. It was pointed out that Northern Ireland already lagged behind the rest of the U.K. in accessing key programmes and investment to provide support through the community and voluntary sectors. Ms. Kinnear concluded by adding that there was a need locally to provide enhanced resources to fund the vital service, which was an integral part of the local economy and community.

            The Lord Mayor thanked the deputation for attending and for the information which had been provided.

Moved by Councillor Brennan,

Seconded by Councillor Black,

      “That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd and 30th January and 6th and 9th February 2026, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.”

Pitches Programme – Proposed

Phasing and Implementation Plan

Amendment

Moved by Councillor R. Brooks,

Seconded by Councillor Bunting,

      “That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 6th February, under the above-mentioned heading, be amended to provide that the second football pitch provision be changed from the current recommendation to prioritise the Blanchflower Park Playing Fields and Aircraft Park in the first phase.”

            On a vote, fifteen Members voted in favour of the amendment, with twenty-three voting against and nineteen ‘no votes’ recorded. Accordingly, it was declared lost.

Pitches Strategy and Strategic Use

of Boucher Road Playing Fields

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Bunting,

Seconded by Councillor Murray,

      “That the above-mentioned decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 30th January, insofar as it related to the future Strategic Use of Boucher Road Playing Fields, be referred back to the Committee and that any final decisions regarding the future of the site would be reconsidered after the submission of detailed reports which would address the following:

1.      an assessment of how the Boucher Road site could be reconfigured to support enhanced sports provision alongside a major events venue with a capacity of up to 40,000;

2.      an evaluation of potential alternative sites across the city suitable for development as a major events space;

3.      a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of Boucher Road operating as an events venue, including benefits to local businesses, tourism, and employment; and

4.      the Council works with promoters and partners such as Eventsec, MCD, and Shine, to look at options of creating a hybrid site which provides sporting facilities and large scale events with a capacity of 40k.

      In addition, this Council reaffirmed its commitment to music, arts, and culture as central to Belfast’s future. The Council requested that also that an in-depth report outlining current support for the music industry, from grassroots and community-based venues such as the ‘Oh Yeah Music Centre’, through to initiatives that promote Belfast as a leading international city of music and culture.”

            On a vote, thirty Members voted in favour of the amendment, with twenty-eight voting against, and it was declared carried.

Pitches Strategy and Strategic Use of Boucher Road Playing Fields

and Pitches Programme – Proposed Phasing and Implementation Plan

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Groogan,

Seconded by Councillor Smyth,

      “In addition to the inclusion of the previous decision, that the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 30th January, under the heading ‘Pitches Strategy and Strategic Use of Boucher Road Playing Fields’, and the decision of the Committee of 6th February, under the heading ‘Pitches Programme – Proposed Phasing and Implementation Plan’ be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.”  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Moved by Councillor Cobain,

Seconded by Councillor Doran and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the People and Communities Committee of 13th January and 9th February, 2026, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor I. McLaughlin,

Seconded by Councillor Bunting and 

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee of 14th January and 9th February, 2026, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Doran,

Seconded by Councillor Long and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 21st January, 2026, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Murphy,

Seconded by Councillor R. Brooks and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Planning Committee of 20th January and 9th February, 2026, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Hanvey,

Seconded by Councillor Long and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. Shareholders’ Committee of 19th January, 2026, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor M. Donnelly,

Seconded by Councillor R-M Donnelly and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Climate and City Resilience Committee of 15th January, 2026, be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Flynn,

Seconded by Councillor Smyth and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Standards and Business Committee of 27th January, 2026, be approved and adopted.