Agenda item

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.”

 

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

 

Pitches Programme – Proposed

Phasing and Implementation Plan

 

Amendment

 

Moved by Councillor Whyte,

Seconded by Councillor O’ Neill,

 

      “That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 6th February, under the heading ‘Pitches Programme – Proposed Phasing and Implementation Plan’, specifically in relation to the Grove Playing Fields, be amended to provide future phases involving the site, as outlined, be amended to provide that any approach adopted relating to the ‘Grove Playing Fields – Masterplan’ would explore various options including GAA and association football facilities.”

 

           

           

            On a vote, thirty-one Members voted in favour of the amendment, with fifteen voting against and eleven ‘no votes’ recorded. Accordingly, it was declared carried.

 

Revenue Estimates 2026/27

 

Amendment

 

Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

Seconded by Councillor Whyte,

 

      “That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 6th February, under the above-mentioned heading, be amended to provide there be a three per cent increase in the Revenue Estimates 2026/27 to include the removal of the previously agreed increase of £100,000 for the Summer Community Diversionary Programme as agreed at the meeting on 23rd January.”

 

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

 

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

 

Amendment

 

            At the request of Councillor M. Donnelly, the Council agreed that the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd January, under the heading ‘Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann’, be amended to provide that the Falls Park be included also within the sites earmarked for camp site provision during the Fleadh Cheoil. 

 

Revenue Estimates 2026/27

 

Amendment

 

Moved by Councillor Murphy,

Seconded by Councillor Walsh,

 

      “That the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 9th February, under the above-mentioned heading, be referred back to the Committee to enable clarification to be obtained in respect of the ‘growth proposals’ which had been removed from within the estimates.”

 

            On a vote, forty-six Members voted in favour of the amendment, with eleven voting against and it was declared carried.

 

Adoption of Minutes

 

            Subject to the foregoing amendments, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 23rd and 30th January; and 6th and 9th February, 2026, were thereupon approved and adopted.