Agenda and minutes

An apology was received on behalf of Alderman Copeland.

Under the ‘Generalist Advice Funding’ item, Councillor Bradley indicated that her employer was in receipt of funding under the scheme. Under the ‘Tobacco and Vapes Act – Consultation’ item, Councillor McKeown reported that his employer provided funding towards several initiatives related to the subject matter. Neither item became subject to debate and the Members were not required to leave the meeting.

The Committee agreed that an all-Members’ workshop in respect of the above-mentioned matter be held on Monday, 26th October at 5.15 p.m.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update in respect of waste management service performance, associated projects, ongoing reviews and consultation exercises.

            After discussion, the Committee:

• approved the initiation of a ‘knife surrender’ initiative at Household Waste Recycling Centres, subject to management being satisfied with all operational aspects of the scheme;

• noted the findings of the review of Household Waste Recycling Rates (policies and performance) and noted further the intention to commission residents’ surveys and research to consider the options which had been outlined; and

• approved the response to the ‘DAERA Waste Prevention’ consultation exercise.

The Committee noted the contents of the above-mentioned report and the information which was contained within the associated financial reporting pack.

The Committee considered a report in respect of the above-mentioned matter. 

            The Committee agreed to the closure of eight of the ten motions and items raised in advance as recommended within the report, with the exception of the ‘30 by 30 Biodiversity Campaign’ and the ‘Playful Belfast City Streets’.

The Committee endorsed a draft response to the above-mentioned consultation exercise, a copy of which was made available on the Council’s website.

The Committee endorsed a draft response to the above-mentioned consultation exercise, a copy of which was made available on the Council’s website.

            The Committee endorsed a draft response to the above-mentioned consultation exercise, a copy of which was made available on the Council’s website.

Prior to considering the above-mentioned report, it was

Moved by Councillor Beattie,

Seconded by Councillor M. Donnelly and

            Resolved – that the Committee agrees to defer consideration of the report to enable the views and guidance of the Irish Language Commissioner and the Commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British Tradition to be obtained on best practice in relation to the proposed scope and terms of reference for the review.

            The Committee noted the names of several stakeholders which had been suggested for consideration as part of the review.

            The Committee considered a request which had been received from CinePark Limited seeking permission to host a ‘drive-through’ cinema experience at Boucher Road Playing Fields throughout the month of December, 2026.

The Committee granted approval, subject to the applicant adhering to all of the stipulations outlined within the report.

The Committee considered the following requests for the use of parks:

• North Belfast Lantern Festival - Alexandra Park, 30th October;

• TinyLights for Baby Loss Awareness Week - Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, 15th October; and

• Twilight Walk - Barnett Demesne, 26th September.

            The Committee granted approval, subject to the applicants adhering to all of the stipulations outlined within the report.

            In response to a Member’s query regarding the length of time taken to process applications for events, the Director of Open Spaces, Fleet and Transport undertook to submit a report in this regard to a future meeting.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided within a report in the above-mentioned matter, which outlined the number of events which had been – and would be - supported through the delivery of the programme in 2026.

            The Committee approved also the hosting of a City of Sport Coaching Conference in October, in partnership with Greenwich Leisure Limited, which would coincide with Coaching Education Week. It was noted that the costs associated with the event would be in the region of £10,000, provision for which existed within the programme underspend.

            In addition, the Committee approved, in accordance with required guidelines, the production of a report to review the overall impact of the initiative, costs in respect of which would be in the region of £10,000, provision for which existed within the programme budget.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 4th March, it had agreed to provide fifty per cent advance payments to those groups eligible for Generalist Advice Funding and Welfare Reform Mitigation Payments in 2026/27. That funding had been provided on the condition that the second payment would be released on the receipt of satisfactory documentation. It was reported that all of the eligible groups had submitted the required paperwork and, accordingly, it was recommended that the second fifty per cent payments be made to the eligible groups.

The Committee adopted the recommendation and noted that that the second payments might be less than anticipated, given the uncertainty that existed over the level of funding to be provided by the Department for Communities (DfC). In such a circumstance, the Committee agreed that, should any additional in-year funding be forthcoming from DfC, it would be reallocated on a pro-rata basis amongst the eligible groups. 

          The Committee was informed that Sport NI had launched an initiative entitled ‘Get Active NI’, which had been developed to align with community plans across each of the eleven district councils. Members were provided with an overview of the objectives of the scheme which sought to strengthen collaboration across the sporting, health, community and voluntary sectors. The total amount allocated to the Council would be £103,000. Applications for support had to be submitted by 21st August, with successful projects to be delivered by the end of the financial year. Given the limited timescales, the Committee was provided with an overview of a recommended delivery model designed to maximise the number of applications submitted by the Council. It was reported that the chosen delivery partners had a proven ability to deliver programmes and an inbuilt capacity to manage successful initiatives within required timescales.

            The Committee agreed that the application process would commence in accordance with the terms outlined. Delegated authority was granted to the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services (or their nominee) to oversee the process and that the maximum funding allocated per project would be £5,000. It was noted that any funding reallocation deemed necessary amongst delivery groups would fall within the aforementioned delegated authority.

The Committee noted comments which had been made by a Member suggesting that officers re-examine the wording within correspondence issued to residents with a view to providing clarity on their obligations with regards to bin reclamation. It was suggested that the Council should seek to engage further with landlords in the management of the process. It was noted also that, on a longer-term basis, alternative collection models should be examined, particularly in areas where issues remained unresolved.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of Phase 5 of the alleygating programme. The Members were reminded that it had been anticipated that a review would be undertaken at the conclusion of Phase 5, which would provide a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of the programme to date. In this regard, it was reported that a contractor from Ulster University had been appointed to carry out the review. The research would consider whether the objectives of the programme had been met, i.e., in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour; improving community safety; reducing nuisance; and regenerating neighbourhoods. The review would also explore the internal processes used in the selection of sites.

       Noted.

With the permission of the Chairperson, Councillor Smyth informed the Committee that the 150th anniversary of the first-ever organised Association Football game on the island of Ireland would occur on 24th October, 2028. That game, which had been played between Scottish clubs Queen’s Park and Caledonian, had been organised by the Belfast businessman John McAlery and had taken place at the then Ulster Cricket Ground, now Ulidia Playing Fields. He added that it might be appropriate for the Council to seek to mark the historic anniversary with a series of events to be delivered in conjunction other stakeholders.

            The Committee agreed that officers would examine the feasibility of marking the anniversary and that a report be submitted in due course.