Issue - meetings

            The Director reported that the North Belfast Interface Steering Group had been established by the North Belfast Community Action Group in order to exchange information and good practice in relation to interface work.  The Group consisted of a number of community and statutory organisations, including the Council, and over the previous three years it had supported a broad range of community groups in the development of a Summer Intervention Programme aimed at diverting young people from anti-social behaviour during the Summer months.

            The Director reminded the Committee that in previous years the Council had granted free access to community and leisure centres to the organisation during the period from 1st July till 30th September.  However, access was subject to availability and the organisation being responsible for any additional staffing costs incurred by the Council.  He pointed out that an evaluation process in respect of the Summer Intervention Programme 2007 had been positive and participating community groups had identified that free access to community and leisure services had enhanced their capacity to deliver the Programme.  He recommended that, should a Summer Intervention Programme 2008 be established within the North Belfast area, the Committee grant the free use of community and leisure centres during the period from July till September, 2008, subject to availability and the Programme meeting any additional staffing costs as a result of usage.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed that requests from other bona fide interface groups in the City be granted similar use of facilities.