Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were received from Councillors de Faoite, Nelson and Whyte.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following 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 Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The 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 Committee considered a report which provided an update on the independent review of the Summer Community Diversionary Festival Fund (SCDF) and seeking agreement to the approach and criteria for an open call for the SCDF for 2024.

            After discussion, it was agreed that the criteria be amended to include the following:

a.     Only events scheduled for July and August are eligible for funding.

b.     Only applications which score above the eligibility threshold can be considered for funding. Any applications which do not make the threshold cannot be considered for funding.

c.      If successful applicants fail to submit all paperwork and receipts for vouching purposes by designated date, then they are automatically ineligible for next year’s programme.

d.     That the application form and guidance notes be amended to include the changes outlined in paragraph 3,8 of the report

e.     That an independent evaluation be undertaken of any events which received funding.

            The Committee also agreed to hold a cross party workshop to discuss the recommendations from the draft Independent report in order to make longer-term changes from summer 2025 onwards.

            The Committee noted an update on the Pay and Grading Review, that the Interim City Solicitor/Director of Legal Services has used her delegated authority to approve the satisfactory service payments and that a detailed report would be submitted to the May meeting of the Committee.

            A Member drew the Committee’s attention to an incident which occurred at Roselawn Crematorium, and which had received media coverage the previous day.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed:

            I.     to condemn the incident at Roselawn Crematorium at which masked men had attended a funeral;

           II.     that the Council instigate an investigation into the incident;

         III.     that the PSNI be formally requested to investigate; and

         IV.     that a press release be issued by the Council condemning the incident and outlining the actions agreed by the Committee.

            The Committee agreed that, in accordance with Standing Order 14, the minutes be submitted to the Council meeting on 7th May for ratification.