Minutes

An apology was reported on behalf of Alderman McCoubrey.

The minutes of the meeting of 24th October were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that the minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd November, 2025, 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 headings:

Requests for Funding

The Council agreed that there would be a one-week expression of interest for winter programmes including project details forms which would be released for North, South, East and West Belfast;

Human Rights Day 2025 - Flag Requests 

The Council agreed that the minute under the heading “Human Rights Day 2025 - Flag Requests” be amended to also provide that, in recognition of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, that the Council would erect the National Flag of Palestine above the City Hall on 29th November, 2025;

Belfast Stories Update

That the decision be amended to provide that the Council approves the recommendations (points 1-7) as outlined in the report and that recommendations 8-9 be referred back to the next Committee for further discussion, supported by additional information in relation to potential additional market demand for the use of a media production studio;

Correspondence - Translink – Belfast Grand Central Station Update

The Council agreed to write to the Belfast Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), the Belfast and Northern Ireland Chambers of Commerce and the hospitality sector’s Trade Unions to ask them to join with the Council in requesting that Translink lowers its bus fares over the Christmas period to encourage more footfall in the city centre and to lower traffic congestion;

EV Update - EV Charging Network on Council sites and Depot Charging Scheme

The Council agreed that the minute be amended to provide that the Council agrees that officers begin the tender process based on a Concession Operating model as outlined in the report and defers consideration of the specific locations of the proposed Phase One sites so that a broader list could be submitted to the Committee; and

Supporting Area-based Community Planning and Community Wealth Building

The Council agreed that the recommendations would go straight to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for its consideration, removing the requirement for Area Working Groups to consider them initially.

            Councillor R-M. Donnelly declared an interest under item 8. (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.  As the item did not become the subject of debate, she was not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor de Faoite declared an interest under item 5.e) 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 5. (d). Update on Hardship Programme, Councillor Beattie declared an interest associated with a group/organisation which had applied for or received funding and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration.

            Councillor Ferguson declared an interest regarding 9. (b) Requests for use of the City Hall and the provision of Hospitality, in so far as he had assisted with the Cregagh Wanderers Football Club application, which was being recommended for the use of the City Hall. As the item did not become the subject of debate, he was not required to leave the meeting.

            In relation to Item 3. (a) Motion - Together: Building a United Community Strategy and 5. (h) Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Councillor R. McLaughlin declared an interest in that his partner was a Minister in the NI Executive and left the meeting whilst the items were under consideration.

            Councillor Long declared an interest under item 3. (a) Motion - Together: Building a United Community Strategy, in that his wife was the Justice Minister and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration.

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

            The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting, Mr. A. McQuillan, Traffic Management Company, to the meeting. She advised that he was attending the meeting to answer any operational questions the Committee might have.

            During discussion, Members highlighted the need for: accessible/blue badge parking; a pilot residents’ parking scheme for the duration of the event; community and member engagement, in particular with the Department for Infrastructure; and international marketing.

             After discussion, the Committee:

·       Noted the detailed update on venues and ground footprint;

·       Approved the approach to submit a major events order to Department for Communities;

·       Approved the request for permission to enter into land agreements;

·       Noted the update in relation to communications and engagement;

·       Approved proposals for addendum to Ards CCE funding agreement; and

·       Noted that the issues raised by Members in relation to accessible parking, a pilot residents’ parking scheme, community and member engagement with the Department for Infrastructure, and international marketing would be investigated.  

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in November, the Council had agreed that the decision of the Committee of 24th October be amended to provide that the Council approved the recommendations (points 1-7) as outlined within the report and that the following recommendations (points 8 – 9), be referred back to the next meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for further discussion, supported by additional information in relation to potential additional market demand for the use of a media production studio:

·       to undertake design development to include enhanced studio provision (Media Production Studio) in the planning application for the Belfast Stories scheme and to complete an addendum to the Outline Business Case to include the Media Production Studio; and

·       to the financing of the additional capital costs associated with the Media Production Studio as set out at 3.31, subject to legal agreements and the approval by Council and the Department for Economy of an addendum to the Belfast Stories Outline Business Case.

Subsequently, the Programme Director (Belfast Stories) and Creative and Strategic Lead (Belfast Stories) presented an update on the further engagement that had taken place on the potential to include an enhanced studio/event space in the Belfast Stories scheme and the findings of an independent report on the opportunity presented by an enhanced studio/event space and mix of uses.

Proposal 1

Moved by Councillor Beattie,

Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin

      That the Committee agrees to cease the design development of the enhanced studio and event space provision (including use as a Media Production Studio) for the Belfast Stories scheme.

            On a vote, nine Members voted for the proposal and ten against and it was declared lost.

            Proposal 2

Moved by Councillor Maghie,

Seconded by Councillor Nelson and

      Resolved - That the Committee agrees to adopt the recommendations as outlined in the report.

            Accordingly, the Committee:

1.     Agreed to proceed with design development to include an enhanced studio and event space provision (including use as a Media Production Studio) in the planning application for the Belfast Stories scheme;

2.     Agreed to complete an addendum to the Outline Business Case to further assess the viability of an enhanced studio and events space to inform a final decision by Council; and

3.     Agreed, in principle, to the financing of the additional capital costs associated with the enhanced studio and events space subject to legal agreements and the approval by Council and the Department for Economy of an addendum to the Belfast Stories Outline Business Case.

            The Director of Finance presented the Quarter 2 financial position, including the year-end forecast for 2025/26.  The Quarter 2 Finance and Treasury Management reports had been included as appendices to the report.

            The Committee:

·       Noted the Quarter 2 financial position and year end forecast (Appendix 1);

·       Noted the Quarter 2 Treasury Management report (Appendix 2);

·       Agreed to use of remaining EPR monies, £6.2m, to fund Waste Collection Vehicles;

·       Agreed to a specified reserve for unspent Leisure (£2m) and Pitches (£1.5m) capital financing in 2025/26;

·       Agreed to creation of a parks improvement programme of £750k; and

·       Agreed that an evaluation report be submitted to the Committee in December in relation to the 2025 Summer Diversionary Funding.

            The Committee considered an update on the key issues influencing the rate setting process for 2026/27 and the development of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 - 2029/30.

            The Committee:

·       Noted the challenges since the last update to be taken into consideration as part of the annual and medium-term rate setting;

·       Agreed to monthly rate update reports to enable the striking of the district rate by February 2026; and

·       Noted a further workshop would be held in January 2026.

Update on Standing Orders

            The City Solicitor/Director of Legal and Civic Services presented the proposed amendments to Standing Orders as outlined in the report.

Proposal

Moved by Councillor Bunting,

Seconded by Councillor Ferguson,

      That the Committee agrees not to proceed with the changes to Standing Orders as outlined in the report.

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

            The Committee agreed to the proposed amendments to Standing Orders, as outlined in the report, which provided clarity in relation to the process for reconsidering decisions which had been subject to call-in.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Vacant to Vibrant Programme and sought approval for a Council contribution to the proposed extension to the Vacant to Vibrant City-Wide Scheme.

            The Committee:

·       Noted the update on the Vacant to Vibrant Programme and the current approvals for the extension of the Vacant to Vibrant City-Wide scheme, including the offer of funding from the Department for Communities; and

·       Agreed the Council’s contribution to the proposed extension to the Vacant to Vibrant City-Wide Scheme.

This minute has been restricted on the basis of Commercial Sensitivity. The restriction will be removed in due course.

The Committee was advised that an application had been received from the Ulster Scots Agency to host the 2026 UK Pipe Band Championships at Grove Playing Fields, Belfast in June 2026.  

The Committee:

a)         Agreed to the request to support the application to host the 2026 UK Pipe Band Championships by permitting the use of Grove Playing Fields in June 2026, subject to all necessary due diligence and completion of the necessary licence agreements etc; and

b)         Agreed to provide a financial contribution towards the costs of delivering the event in the sum of £30,000.

The Committee considered the draft Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy as outlined in Appendix one of the report.

            The Committee:

•           Noted the contents of the report; and

•           Agreed to adopt the draft Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.

The Committee considered a report in relation to a corporate and cross-departmental Sponsorship and Advertising Income Generation Pilot.

            During discussion, the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services advised that Members’ comments in relation to St. Patrick’s Day sponsorship, the ethical procurement policy, naming rights and sponsorship of Council assets, the wording of the review report, and engagement with local businesses would be considered.

After discussion, the Committee noted the contents of the report.

The Committee was advised that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 23rd October, referred the following motion to the Committee for consideration, which had been proposed by Councillor Nelson and seconded by the High Sheriff, Councillor McAteer:

‘This Council recognises the commitment laid out in the Together: Building a United Community' (T:BUC) Strategy to remove all Interface structures by 2023. Recognises that a failure to remove the interface barrier in Alexandra Park would be a missed opportunity and commits to developing plans to ensure the complete removal of the interface structure as part of the Reconnecting Waterworks and Alexandra Park project.

That a report is submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee detailing plans for the removal, alongside a programme of work with local stakeholders to establish support required to assist with the transition, including local detached youth and community relations provision, coinciding with significant investment in the park.

That Belfast City Council engages with key stakeholders, including the Department of Justice Interface Programme, to identify any resources that can assist with the removal of the interface barrier.’

Councillor Murphy proposed additional wording (highlighted in bold) and the proposer accepted the amendment. The motion, as amended, therefore read:

‘This Council recognises the commitment laid out in the Together: Building a United Community' (T:BUC) Strategy to remove all Interface structures by 2023. Recognises that a failure to remove the interface barrier in Alexandra Park would be a missed opportunity and commits to developing plans to ensure the complete removal of the interface structure as part of the Reconnecting Waterworks and Alexandra Park Project.

That this Council prioritises the concerns of surrounding residents in this regard as per the T:BUC strategy in that “the removal of barriers cannot proceed unless local resident’s views, perceptions and consent are sought.

That a report is submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee detailing plans regarding Alexandra Park Wall removal, in the context of the above over-arching priority, which will include plans for local stakeholder and resident engagement, including relevant statutory agencies, local detached youth and community relations organisations.

This Council also recognises the acute sporting pitch provision need in this area of Belfast and determines to ensure that the report to SP&R reflects this as an opportunity to address that need in an overall process of investment and wall-removal.

That this Council agrees that the SP&R report should include detail regarding accompanying significant investment in the park.

That Belfast City Council engages with the above stakeholders and refer to all past internal BCC reports re Alexandra Park, especially concerning the interface barrier, so as to explore all strategies and potential resources that can assist with the removal of the Alexandra Park interface barrier.’

            During discussion, several Member’s highlighted that community engagement was integral to the process.

            After discussion, the Committee:

·       noted that in accordance with Standing Order 13(i) that Notices of Motion which commit the Council to expenditure must be referred to the appropriate committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee was advised that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 23rd October, referred the following motion to the Committee for consideration, which had been proposed by Councillor Maghie and seconded by Councillor Abernethy:

“That this Council, recognising the important contribution of parents to politics, will investigate ways in which new parents’ attendance records reflect the fact that they may have missed meetings due to maternity or paternity for the first six months after having a baby.”

            The Committee:

·       noted that in accordance with Standing Order 13(i) that Notices of Motion which commit the Council to expenditure must be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration and report; and

·       agreed that a subsequent report would be brought to Committee outlining a detailed consideration of the Notice of Motion and the potential costs implications. 

            The Committee approved the following schedule of meetings for the period from January to December, 2026:

·       Friday, 16th January at 9.30 a.m. (Rate setting, if required)

·       Friday, 23rd January at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 20th February at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 20th March at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 24th April at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 22nd May at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 19th June at 9.30 a.m.

·       No monthly meeting in July

·       Friday, 21st August at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 18th September at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 23rd October at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 20th November at 9.30 a.m.

·       Friday, 18th December at 9.30 a.m.

            The Committee also agreed to the holding of additional special meetings, if required, to consider the rate-setting process, on dates to be determined in consultation with the Chairperson.

The Committee agreed to move the Council meeting in January from Monday, 5th January to Thursday, 8th January, 2026.

            The City Solicitor/Director of Legal and Civic Services presented the following report for consideration:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1The purpose of this report is to:

·       update Members on the results of formal public consultation on draft byelaws for the city centre and further engagement,

·       provide Members with revised draft byelaws for approval

2.0Recommendation

2.1It is recommended that Members:

·       note the contents of this report and appendices

·       approve the revised draft byelaws

3.0Main Report

3.1Background

      Members will be aware of ongoing issues caused by noise and the display of graphic imagery in the city centre and the negative effect that this can have on social and economic activity. This primarily impacts the primary retail core but also extends more widely to those who work, live in and visit Belfast.

      The Council is empowered to draft byelaws under Part VI of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (the ‘Act’) and in the absence of primary legislation to enforce such a nuisance, officers agreed to draft byelaws to address these issues.

      On 26 June 2023, Committee agreed to authorise officers to begin the formal public consultation process on a set of draft byelaws. This followed formal consultation and engagement with the Department for Communities and receipt of a legal opinion that addressed issues on human rights considerations that were raised by DfC.

3.2Consultation and Engagement

      A public consultation was launched on 27 November 2023 on the Council’s online engagement platform YourSay Belfast. The consultation ran for a period of 14 weeks and ended on 4 March 2024.

      At the request of Elected Members, further workshops were held with stakeholders in May 2025.

      Party briefings have been carried out in the past few months.

      This report will give Members a high-level summary of the results of the public consultation and the workshops.

      The proposed draft byelaws are attached to this report as Appendix 1 and the detailed Consultation Report is attached as Appendix 2.

3.3Consultation Format

      The online survey contained a series of questions designed to capture both quantitative and qualitative information in relation to the following areas: 

·       Extent of agreement or disagreement with the introduction of a rules and regulations around the use of amplification devices and the display of promotional material (including graphic imagery) in the city centre

·       Level of usage of amplification and display of promotional material (including graphic imagery) in the city centre and for which purposes

·       Experience of the use of amplification and display of promotional material (including graphic imagery) in the city centre (positive, neutral or negative)

·       Extent of agreement or disagreement with the introduction of a permit scheme around the use of amplification devices and promotional literature (including graphic imagery) in the city centre

·       Extent of agreement or disagreement with standard conditions for a permit as listed in the draft byelaws

·       Extent of agreement or disagreement with the proposal that the Council may designate areas in which specific types of instruments or amplification is prohibited

      Respondents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had applied to Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayoral Challenge in April 2025 with an outline concept ‘to re-imagine Belfast’s network of alleyways’.

            Belfast was one of only 100 cities (from 640 applications worldwide) selected to further develop this concept into a more detailed proposal. It was reported that Belfast was subsequently one of only 50 cities awarded $50,000 to support local engagement and to carry out research to develop the proposal into a funding bid. This bid was submitted to Bloomberg on 17th October. Bloomberg was currently assessing the final 50 applications, of which only 25 would be awarded $1 million each to deliver their projects. This decision was expected in the next few weeks.

            The Committee was provided with an update on the Belfast Bid which built on a series of successful alleyway transformations that had had a positive impact on the lives of local people. The challenge for the city going forward was how it could scale and replicate such successes across many more parts of the city and do in ways that were sustainable and community-led.

            The Belfast proposal therefore sought to establish, over a two-year period, a city programme that could support the sustainable development of up to 25 miles of transformed alleyways. These projects might range from quite modest interventions to much more radical transformations, depending local circumstances and on the interest of each community. The programme sought to harness the Council’s services in an integrated way and work directly with communities and with other public bodies (such as the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive) and utilise digital and data tools, co-design techniques and innovative funding models. It was reported that a decision from Bloomberg was expected in the next few weeks.

Belfast Inclusive Futures

            The Committee was reminded that, in May 2025, it had approved a series called ‘Belfast: Inclusive Futures’ which brings together city leaders (private, public and community) and senior policymakers to build understanding and consensus about the challenges and opportunities that digital technologies represent for our city’s shared commitment to inclusive growth.

            The Committee was advised that the second event was planned for Monday, 24th November in the City Hall. The guest speak was Dr Nell Watson, a national AI expert and advisor to Google. A follow up panel discussion would include the NI Chief Scientific Officer Helen McCarthy and Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen's University.

            The Committee:

1.     Noted the ongoing work on the Bloomberg alleyways transformation proposal;

2.     Noted Bloomberg’s final funding decision would be shared with Members at the following Committee meeting; and

3.     Noted the invitation to the second Belfast: Inclusive Futures event on Monday, 24th November from 16:00 in the Great Hall.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on the progress of the Horizon Europe Cities@Heart project and to seek agreement to approve the final agreed Consortium Agreement.

2.0Recommendation

2.1The Committee are asked to note the contents of this report and agree that the Council signs the final agreed Consortium Agreement required for its participation in the Cities@Heart project.

3.0Main Report

      Background

3.1Members will recall that at its meeting on the 18 April 2025, the Committee agreed that council officials work with QUB and Belfast Healthy Cities to input to a joint funding submission to the Horizon Europe Innovative Health Initiative grant funding call. The intention was to develop an overall €15million funding bid across seven cities (named Cities@Heart) to enable work to be undertaken with the WHO Healthy Cities Network and innovative technology with the aim of reducing recognised cardiovascular risk factors in order to more effectively manage risk and prevent future cardiovascular events.

3.2The Cities@Heart proposal focuses on obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes as key drivers of cardiovascular disease and poor health. The intention is to identify effective public health activities which offer potential to scale-up. The project will also seek to develop and deploy strategies to leverage engagement and citizen empowerment, raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, effective prevention, early detection and optimal management to improve outcomes.

3.3The bid involves a range of representatives including public sector, academia and industry experts from across seven municipalities including Izmir (TR), Belfast (NI), ?ód? (PL), Cork (IE), Udine (IT), Birmingham (EN) and Utrecht (NL). Each have diverse communities and a commitment to deploy multi-disciplinary health strategies. Working together with citizens and industry experts, each city would intend to apply a structured, multi-sector methodology which includes:

i.      City-level approaches to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease;

ii.     A digital ecosystem that will power the development of European health technology and economic growth;

iii.   Integration of health policy and health economics to deliver cost-effective city-level solutions; and

iv.   Sustainability at its core using an implementation framework that can apply across the 1800+ cities in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

3.4It is intended that the Cities@Heart project would build connections and capacity across a broad array of stakeholders, including citizens, patients, municipalities, healthcare providers, policymakers and industry experts, and support the next generation of health technology to address critical barriers in cardiovascular disease across Europe. Members will be aware of the significant health challenges, including cardiovascular disease, impacting on people across the city and will also be aware that addressing health inequalities has been identified as a key priority set out in the Belfast Agenda.

      Current position

3.5Following Committee agreement, council officials continued to work alongside colleagues from QUB and Belfast Healthy Cities to explore a possible role for Belfast and Council in the emerging Cities@Heart project proposal.  Officers have also engaged with representatives from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in October, it had been informed that, whilst some underspend from previous years was available to support a Hardship Programme in 2025/26, the amount available was £75,000 which was significantly lower than previous years. Subsequently, it had agreed to write to the Minister for Communities seeking funding support for the continuation of the Hardship Programme in the 2025/26 financial year.

            The Committee was advised that the Council had issued correspondence to the Department for Communities requesting them to consider providing funding support for the continuation of the Hardship Programme in 2025/26. Additionally, the letter advised the department that the Council would welcome exploration of a recurrent multi-year funding model to enable more strategic long-term efforts in tackling poverty and hardship at the local level (copy available at Appendix 1).  It was reported that update would be provided once a response had been received.

            The Committee:

                          I.        Noted the contents of this report, including the recent correspondence issued to the Minister for Communities on 10th November; and

                        II.        Noted the vastly reduced budget position of £75,000 for the development and delivery of a Hardship Programme in 2025/26, which members had agreed should be allocated to Family Support Hubs to help support families and children.

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

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is consulting on its review of planning fees, namely the proposed introduction of fees for the following types of application:

·       Non-Material Changes

·       Discharges of Condition

1.2       DfI is also seeking views on whether any other application types, which are currently not charged for, should also attract a fee.

1.3       This report was noted by the Planning Committee at its 11th November 2025 meeting.    The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee is asked to agree the Council’s response to the consultation.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

            Agree to the Council’s response to the consultation as set out in this report including the additional comments provided by the Planning Committee (summarised at paragraph 3.28).

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Most planning applications submitted to the Council attract a planning fee, however, several application types currently do not, even though they can be quite time consuming and costly for the Council to process.

3.2       DfI is proposing to introduce a flat rate planning fee of £115 for the following types of application, for which there is currently no charge:

·       Non-Material Changes

·       Discharges of Condition

3.3       In addition, the consultation is asking whether there are any other planning application types which are not currently charged for, but which should attract a few, including but not limited to the following:

·       Tree Preservation Order

·       Proposal of Application Notice (PAN)

·       Pre-application discussions

3.4       The introduction of fees for applications for Non-Material Changes and Discharges of Condition would be made through amendments to the Planning (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

3.5       The public consultation opened on 1st October 2025 and closes on 23rd December 2025. A copy of the public consultation document is provided at Appendix 1. This committee report (if agreed) will be provided as the Council’s consultation response rather than completing the form as provided as all questions are addressed in the sections below.

            Assessment

3.6       Belfast City Council is one of several NI councils that have advocated the introduction of planning fees for Non-Material Change (NMC) and Discharge of Condition (DOC) applications for many years. This is in the context of the not insignificant resources that councils expend on processing such applications each year.

3.7       DfI is proposing to introduce a flat rate fee of £115 for both application types, equivalent to the minimum fee charged for such applications in some UK jurisdictions. Table 1 below shows the number of NMC and DOC applications that the Council has received over the last three years.

Table 1: volume of NMC and DOC applications received by Belfast City Council

3.8       Table 2 below shows the income that would have been received by the Council over the last three years had the proposed fee of £115 been applied retrospectively. This would have amounted to around  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5f

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

            The purpose of this report is to consider the review of charges for non-statutory functions delivered by Building Control.  Part 11 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 allows the council to charge a fee for a service that is not a statutory provision that the council is required to provide to the person, providing the cost does not exceed the costs of the provision.

1.2       The charges of fees are in the line with the Corporate Pricing Framework, Financial Regulations and the Scheme of delegation.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

            Agree the set of charges and fees for non-statutory services provided by Building Control.  A list of the fees is detailed in Appendix 1. It is recommended that the additional fees come into effect from 1st April 2026, in line with the budget setting process and will be reviewed after 12 months.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members will be aware that some fees for statutory services in Building Control are set by the Department of Finance others such as licensing are set through the Licensing Committee and referred to Strategic Policy and Resources. As part of the budget setting process officers are required to review charges and fees for services provided that are not part of the Council’s statutory functions.

3.2       Building Control’s management team reviewed all services provided and whether fees were charged and the reason why some services were provided with no chargeable fee.

3.3       A benchmarking exercise was carried out across all local councils in Northern Ireland and some councils in Scotland and England.  In most cases councils charge for the non-statutory functions, whereas none have been charged in Belfast.

3.4       Following the benchmarking exercises, the fees for non- statutory services are proposed to be revised with the introduction of some charges and an increase in others, as set out below.

3.5       Building Control currently charge a fee for the services below but would propose a fee increase.

1.     Building Control service currently charges £30 for a property enquiry.  This charge does not cover the cost for the provision of the service, based on an analysis of time spent be staff carrying out the service. Therefore, the proposal would be to increase the charge based on the hourly rate to carry out the task to £100 per single dwelling and £100 for a commercial property consisting of one unit.

2.     Building Control currently charge an administration fee of £50 for Building Regulation applications that are withdrawn, which would include fees charged for full plan applications and building notice applications. The service propose to introduce this charge to all application types which would include, Property Certificates, Property Enquiries, Licensing applications (Entertainment, Amusement, Cinema, Petroleum, Street Trading, Pavement Café and Road Closures).

3.6       Building Control do not currently charge for the services below but would propose to introduce a fee.

1.     Copy certificates or confirmation of postal address.  There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5g

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To update the committee on the programme of work that council is delivering to support The Executive Office’s (TEO) strategic framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG).

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·       Note the update on the wide range of work being delivered by council in support of TEO’s strategic framework to EVAWG; and

·       Endorse the Women’s Night Safety Charter, to support partner organisations with its promotion and roll-out to the hospitality and entertainmentsector as part of TEO’s strategic framework.

3.0       Main Report

            Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Policy Context

            What is Violence Against Women and Girls?

            Violence against women and girls is comprised of actions and the threat of actions including:

1.     physical, sexual, psychological and emotional violence occurring in the family including children and young people (Domestic Abuse), in the general community, or in institutions, including coercive control and stalking

2.     harmful sexual behaviour which is sexual behaviours expressed by children and young people that are inappropriate or abusive

3.     sexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation in any public or private space

4.     commercial and non-commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls, trafficking, child sexual abuse, so-called honour-based violence, including female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages, and so-called honour crimes

5.     online and technology facilitated abuse [or gender-based violence] including cyberstalking, cyber flashing, sexual harassment, grooming for exploitation or abuse, image based sexual abuse and abuse through emerging technologies such as ‘internet of things’ devices

6.     workplace sexual harassment ranging from sexual jokes or comments to unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature

7.     financial abuse such as controlling a woman’s or girl's access to their money, taking loans or credit cards in their name, or using their money without their permission

8.     everyday harm caused by everyday misogyny, sexist jokes and language, and discrimination which contributes to an atmosphere in which the threat of violence, specific or general is consistently in women’s minds.

3.2       The Executive Office’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls

            In 2021, the Northern Ireland Executive directed that a Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) be developed, and the Executive Office (TEO) is leading on this whole of government, whole of society approach.

            TEO led the development of a co-designed Strategic Framework which sets the agenda for all of government and society to address the whole range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality. The framework is ambitious, long term, and wide reaching. The Vision is: A changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence, abuse, and harm, including the attitudes, systems, and structural inequalities that cause them. There are six outcomes organised under the four themes of 1) prevention; 2) protection and provision; 3)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5h

            The Committee was reminded that, in 2012, the Council had provided the initial leadership to explore Belfast becoming an Age Friendly City and, in May 2012, the Lord Mayor had signed a declaration committing Belfast to this process by joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

            The Committee was advised that the Health Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP) had been working collaboratively to ensure Belfast was an Age Friendly City. It was responsible for the development and implementation of the city’s Age Friendly Plan on behalf of the Council and the wider community planning partners. In the third Age Friendly Plan 2023 – 2027, partners were focusing on four thematic areas to address infrastructure, social inclusion, health and well-being, and financial security for older people.

            It was reported that Age Friendly Belfast was a key workstream in the Belfast Agenda. It recognised Belfast’s older population with its diverse range of abilities and needs, along with the contribution older people make to their families, their communities and the economy.

            The Committee was reminded that the Reference Group on Older People had supported the development of the Age Friendly Belfast Plan which included a commitment to promote Age Friendly employers within the city. The Council’s Age Friendly Coordinator, who was also the lead officer on the Reference Group for Older People, had asked that the Council consider adopting the Age Friendly Employer Pledge.

            Age Friendly Employer Pledge

            The Age Friendly Employer Pledge was for employers who recognised the importance and value of older workers; were committed to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s (and beyond) and were prepared to take action to help them flourish in a multigenerational workforce.   The Council currently had 1060 employees who were aged 50 and above – 42. 9% of the workforce. 

            Currently over 450 employers had signed the pledge, which included other council’s such as Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Manchester City Council and more.  The Age Friendly Employer Pledge (see Appendix 1 for more information) was a nationwide programme for employers that:

·       Identified a senior sponsor for age-inclusion in the workforce and publicly state their commitment to the pledge;

·       Ensured age was specifically named within their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies;

·       Take action to improve the recruitment, retention and development of workers over 50 from one of the following areas:

-    Create an age friendly culture

-    Hire age positively

-    Be flexible about flexible working

-    Encourage career development at all ages

-    Ensure everyone has the health support they need

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had in place flexible working opportunities for all staff which were regularly advertised, there was regular staff support, opportunities for training or e-learning sessions on interview skills and selection techniques and that a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing programme in place covering menopause, yoga, musculoskeletal issues, addiction, stress awareness.

            The Committee was advised that signing the Pledge signified that the Council would commit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5i

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1           The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                        I.         Note the update on the Belfast Regeneration Place Based Growth Proposition, including the completion of the Business Case for Place-Based Investment which has been forwarded to UK Government for consideration.

                                       II.         Note the update on ongoing strategic engagement with the UK Government in Westminster, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

                                     III.         Approve attendance of Elected Members as set out in the report at the Scottish Cities Alliance roundtable, as part of advocacy and engagement activities to support the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition.

                                    IV.         Note the continued role for Members in terms of political party engagement at local, MP and ministerial level. 

3.0       Background

3.1       Members will recall that an update was brought to this Committee in April 2025 and the City Growth & Regeneration Committee in June and September 2025 on the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition and the development of a full five-part business case to underpin the ask. which sets out the case for enhanced regeneration funding in line with other UK cities, aligned to a clear growth proposition underpinned by regeneration priorities for the city.

3.2       As previously reported, the Place Based Growth Proposition sets out the compelling case for Belfast but notes that there are significant levers required for the city to realise it’s growth potential. It notes that due to a combination of Regeneration and place based  funds not being applicable to the devolved administrations, and Northern Ireland receiving relatively lower allocations from funds operating on a competitive basis, results in Northern Ireland having amongst the lowest spend on regeneration and local growth per head of population, compared to Scotland, Wales and English regions – nearly half the regional average spend per capita. This outcome is not reflective of the need for regeneration in Belfast relative to other cities in England, Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland more broadly. Arguably the need is greater in a Northern Ireland context. A number of specific regeneration funds available in the rest of the UK have not been available in Northern Ireland which has led to a clear deficit and a missed opportunity for growth and positive economic, regeneration, social and environmental outcomes.

3.3       The wider context for seeking enhanced powers and funding was outlined previously to the Committee. The English Devolution White Paper, published in December 2024, envisions a fundamental change of the relationship between Whitehall and local government in England – with the intent of tackling regional inequality by transferring authority and funding over key policy areas and funding, such as economic development, housing, planning, transport and skills. There is now a presumption in favour of devolution on foot of this White Paper and with the creation of new Strategic Authorities this means funding and legislative powers will be further devolved in other UK cities.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5j

The Director of Property and Projects submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following 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.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

·       Capital Programme Movements –

o   St George’s Market – New Stalls – Note that a satisfactory tender return has been received and that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this project is within the affordability limits of the Council and agree that a maximum of £433,840 be allocated.

o   Open Spaces and Streetscene (OSS) Machinery Replacement Programme 2025/26 – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £336,231.

o   Workshop Plant Replacement - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £120,000.

o   Wilmont House H&S works – Agree that ‘Wilmont House Health & Safety Works’ is moved immediately to Stage 3 – Committed due to the condition of the building, 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   Fernhill House H&S works – Agree that ‘Fernhill House Health & Safety Works’ is moved immediately to Stage 3 – Committed due to the condition of the building, 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   Colin Active Travel (formerly Colin 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   Depot Charging Scheme - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.   

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

            Physical Programme

3.1       Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial Physical Programme. This includes the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Committee:

i)        Barnett Demesne – Deed of Surrender and New Lease with Add Venture Northern Ireland Limited

-        Approved the Deed of Surrender and entering into a new 35-year lease with Add Venture Northern Ireland Limited. 

ii)       Barnett Demesne - Deed of Surrender and New Lease with Belfast Activity Centre

-        Approved the Deed of Surrender and entering into a new 35-year lease with Belfast Activity Centre.

iii)     Car Parking – New Agreement for existing ESB Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points

-        Approved entering into rolling 12-month agreements with the ESB for the continued use of space for electric vehicle car charging points at Glenburn Road, Hope Street and Little Victoria Street Car Parks.

            The Committee noted that the previously agreed report on the development of a policy framework to clarify guidance on any future display of materials in all Council assets, including community centres, would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee for consideration.

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

·     In relation to the ‘Provision of Sharps Boxes Services’ contract, agreed that a report be submitted to a future committee to outline the volume of usage and resources of the issue, together with the work being undertaken with community organisations.

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

Table 2: Single Tender Actions

The Committee approved the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on 10th November, including:

Presentation from Law Centre - Welcome Information Programme

·       The Shared City Partnership noted the presentation and recommended to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it noted the presentation.

Presentation from International Organisation for Migration

·       The Shared City Partnership noted the presentation and recommended to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it noted the presentation.

Update from Partnership Members

·         Updates from members were noted in the minutes for further information.

Good Relations Verbal Update

·         The Shared City Partnership agreed to note the update and recommended to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that they also agreed and noted the and agreed the verbal update recorded in the minutes.

PEACEPLUS – Secretariat Update

·           The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Peace Plus Thriving and Peaceful Communities Thematic Update

·       The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Peace Plus Celebrating Culture and Diversity Thematic Update

·       Members noted the contents of the report and agreed:

o   Extended delivery timeframe to 31st March, 2028 for Lot 1 – Language and Cultural Access of the CCD5 Multiculturalism to Interculturalism project

o   Morton Community Centre, as the initial location for a Welcome Hub and to consider nominations for the Civic Mentor element of the CCD2 – Community Connections project; and recommend that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreed the recommendations and noted the contents of the report.

Community Regeneration and Transformation Thematic Update

·       The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Any Other Business

·         There was no further business.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had a duty to have, under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998:

•            Due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the nine equality categories; and

•            Regard to the desirability of promotion good relations

In addition, under section 1 of the Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016:

•          Due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans, and when designing and delivering public services.

            It was reported that the Council had a process to carry out equality screening and rural needs assessment of new and revised policies. This allowed any impacts related to equality of opportunity, good relations or rural needs to be identified and addressed.

            The Committee was advised that an equality screening and rural needs impact assessment template had been completed by the relevant officer, in collaboration with the Equality and Diversity Unit.  On a regular basis, the Unit collated all completed templates into a screening outcome report which was published onto the Council’s website along with the relevant completed templates.  The current screening outcome report for Quarter 2 2025-26 was attached at Appendix 1.

            The Committee noted the Quarterly Screening Outcome Report which would be published on the Council’s website.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 13th November, 2025.

The Committee approved the recommendations as set out below: