Agenda and minutes

An apology for inability to attend was reported on behalf of Councillor McDonough-Brown.

            The minutes of the meeting of 3rd December, 2025 were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that the minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 8th January, 2026.

            Councillor McCabe declared an interest within the item ‘Events Update’ in relation to the St. Patrick’s Day update, in that her employer was contracted to deliver activity as part of the programme. Councillor McCabe left the meeting whilst this matter was under consideration.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following two 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 Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided an update on the Future City Centre Vacancy and Dereliction Programme and set out proposed parameters for the Homes on Upper Spaces for Everyone (HOUSE) Programme.

            The Director highlighted the significant impact that vacancy and dereliction had across the city and stated that the Vacancy toolkit had been developed as a proactive, Council led suite of interventions to address the rising levels of dereliction and support social, economic and environmental growth. She reminded the Committee that the toolkit included the Vacant to Vibrant City Centre and Citywide Schemes, strategic investments and a citywide housing-led regeneration scheme.

            She reported that, in order to address vacant upper floor spaces within the city, Council officers had been working on the development of a HOUSE programme, which would aim to help address this issue by repurposing vacant spaces for residential use. The Committee was provided with an overview of the work that had been undertaken in relation to the development of the proposed HOUSE programme and the associated business case, which included research and data analysis, consultation and engagement, and the potential delivery model.

            The Director recommended that, subject to funding, a capital grant scheme be developed and that the HOUSE programme operate as a pilot within the city centre with the potential to expand citywide at a later stage. She outlined the proposed parameters of the programme and provided the Committee with information in respect of potential cost requirements, benefits and outcomes, estimated returns and potential future funding.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Groogan,

            Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees that a report be brought back on the potential for the HOUSE Programme to deliver an intermediate rent model, including information on viability and advice from Legal Services.

            During discussion, in response to a Member’s question, the Director advised that further consideration would be given in regard to the parameters limiting the maximum number of units that could be supported through the scheme.

            In response to further Members’ questions, the Director advised that further information would be brought back to the Committee in relation to the potential for the Council to utilise the recently acquired asset on 33-39 Royal Avenue as a demonstrator project for the scheme, and the potential for a larger adaptive reuse strategy in respect of converting vacant commercial office space for residential use.

            A Member also requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting which would outline potential interventions that could be brought forward to address vacant and derelict sites and buildings on Castle Street, as part of the wider regeneration plan for the area.

            After discussion, the Committee:

i.       noted the progress on the vacancy and dereliction programmes that had been undertaken under the workstream of the Future City Centre Programme;

ii.      agreed the parameters and the progression of the proposed Homes On Upper Spaces for Everyone (HOUSE) Programme as the next delivery workstream  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2a

            The Director of Economic Development provided the Committee with an update on the Local Growth Fund and the potential implications for the Enterprise Support Service (Go Succeed).

            The Director advised the Committee that, following the update provided at its meeting in December, 2025, the Council had received formal confirmation that the level of Local Growth Fund resources available to support the programme delivery element of Go Succeed, from April 2026, would be reduced.

            The Committee was provided with an update in relation to the work currently being undertaken to explore options to help minimise the impact on service delivery, and the ongoing engagement between Councils and the Department for the Economy in respect of future funding for the service.

            During discussion, the Director and the Senior Manager, Economy, answered a number of questions from the Members in relation to the future funding of the service.

            After discussion, the Committee:

i.       noted the update on Local Growth Fund (LGF) which focused on the potential implications for the Enterprise Support Service (Go Succeed); and

ii.      agreed to support the ongoing work to explore opportunities to secure continued support for the Enterprise Support Service, which would take account of the changes in the external funding environment and the pressures on existing budgets.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the pending ballot for the third term of the Belfast One BID (Business Improvement District).

            The report also outlined a request for Belfast One BID to present, in advance of the ballot, at its next meeting on 11th February, 2026.

            The Committee:

i.       noted the update on the pending ballot for the third term of the Belfast One; and

ii.      agreed to receive a presentation from Belfast One BID at its next meeting to enable officers to submit the Council’s votes in the ballot in advance of the deadline on 5th March, 2026.

(Councillor Smyth attended in connection to this item.)

            The Committee considered correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in response to the Committee’s request for an update on the Belfast Cycle Network’s Ravenhill Road Scheme. The response advised that, due to amendments to the extent of the scheme and further consideration of certain elements of the design along the route, the design period had been longer than originally anticipated, and that statutory consultation process was expected to commence in early 2026, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of discussions on a small number of remaining issues.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

            Seconded by Councillor Groogan,

      “That the Committee agrees to write to the DfI to request an update on the Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge; request that, should any trees be felled as part of the Ravenhill Road Scheme, all trees removed are replaced with semi-mature trees at a ratio of three new trees for every one tree felled; seek assurance that the Department would deliver a pedestrian crossing at the Ardenlee Avenue junction on the Ravenhill Road as part of the Ravenhill Road Scheme; request that double yellow lines be installed on the corners of the streets off the Ravenhill Road, as part of the Ravenhill Road Scheme, to help prevent obstructive parking; and request engagement with the Council in respect of the potential for the Department to support the installation of lighting infrastructure within Ormeau Park.”

            At the request of Councillor R. McLaughlin, the Committee agreed that the motion be amended to provide that it requests DfI to engage with the Council in respect of the potential for the Department to support the installation of lighting infrastructure within all Council Parks.

            With the permission of the Chairperson, Councillor Smyth addressed the Committee in relation to the DfI response. Councillor Smyth highlighted that the scheme presented an opportunity to deliver a safe, sustainable and family friendly route within the city. He highlighted that, as part of the consultation stage, it was vital that the Department engage with local schools and young people to promote safe and active travel through the scheme.

Further Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Groogan,

            Seconded by Councillor de Faoite,

      Resolved - That the Committee agrees to write to DfI to request that it proactively engage and consult with local schools, as part of the Ravenhill Road Scheme’s consultation process, to ascertain how best the scheme could promote safe and active travel for children to school.

            Accordingly, the Committee:

i.       noted the response received from DfI on the Belfast Cycle Network’s Ravenhill Road Scheme; and

ii.      agreed to write to DfI to:

·        request an update on the Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge;

·        request that, should any trees be felled as part of the Ravenhill Road Scheme, all trees removed are replaced with semi-mature trees at a ratio of three new trees for every one tree felled;

·        seek assurance that the pedestrian crossing at the Ardenlee Avenue junction on the Ravenhill Road would be delivered as part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

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

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide

·        post event information on the 2025 Belfast Maritime Festival and planning update for 2027

·        post event information on the Christmas Lights Switch and Animation programme

·        update on the St Patrick’s Day Celebrations planning

·        update on Lord Mayors Day

·        update on the Events Action Plan

·        update on America 250

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to

·        Note the contents of the Maritime Festival post event evaluation and future dates.

·        Agree support for Sail Training in the lead up to 2027 Maritime festival

·        Agree Titanic Memorial arrangements and associated expenditure

·        Note the contents of the Christmas programming & post event evaluation

·        Note upcoming workshop on festive lighting planning

·        Note the planning update on St Patrick’s Day & Lord Mayor’s Day

·        Note the update on the Events Action Plan

·        Note the update on America 250 and approve funding allocation

3.0       Main report

3.1       Maritime Festival

            The Maritime Festival continues to be a Distinctly Belfast experience, the event location lends itself to the integration of the many heritage assets on the Maritime Mile. The heritage sites were given the opportunity to share marketing opportunities, additional programming or discounts as part of the overall event programme. This year’s programme increased the creative ambition yet again by continuing to align with our 10-year Cultural Strategy, engaging an array creative organisations with the vast majority of festival participants from the Belfast area.

            On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, 57,000 people of all ages enjoyed a celebration of Belfast’s rich maritime past and innovative future along the Maritime Mile – from Sailorstown/ City Quays to HMS Caroline. Up to 40,000 attended on Saturday, with particularly wet and windy weather affecting Sunday attendance, resulting in less than half of the attendance on the same day of the 2023 event.

            The wider festival was organised by Belfast City Council’s Events team, in partnership with Maritime Belfast Trust, which delivered specific festival activity on the Slipways.

            The festival was successful in securing £30,000 from Tourism NI (TNI) international events fund. The event was coordinated and implemented through a governance structure consisting of three working groups – marcomms, production/logistics and creative.  Dashboard reports were presented to a programme board with senior representatives from Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, DfC and Maritime Belfast Trust.  All groups met on a monthly basis creating the opportunity to further enhance partner collaboration and strengthen the creative festival profile.

3.2       Maritime Festival: Programming

            Queens Quay hosted Science Street, a space for hands-on learning and discovery – from marine biology and climate change to biodiversity. Close by was Kids Cove, where younger visitors enjoyed arts and crafts, circus and dance and pirate play time. ‘Maritime Presents Festival of Fools by the Sea’ was held at the Arc, a mix of live street circus, theatre and walkabout animation. Close by the Nomadic, the Hamilton Dock Maritime Village celebrated past and future with immersive technology,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

            The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the Department for Communities’ (DfC) draft Disability and Work Strategy for Northern Ireland and outlined a draft response to the DfC consultation on the draft strategy.

            The Committee:

i.        noted the main highlights of the Department for Communities’ Disability and Work Strategy for Northern Ireland; and

ii.      approved the draft Council response to the consultation, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, subject to Council ratification at its meeting on 2nd February, 2026.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Zoo Long-Term Financial Sustainability Group of 10th December, 2025.