Agenda and minutes

            An apology was received from Councillor Groogan.

            The minutes of the meeting of 21st March were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council, at its meeting on 1st April.

            Councillors R-M Donnelly and Duffy declared an interest in item 7(a) Minutes of the Shared City Partnership in so far as it related to PEACEPLUS in that they worked for organisations which had applied for funding.  As the item did not become the subject of debate, they were not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor Groogan declared an interest in item 2(c) Update on Hardship Fund, in that she worked for or was associated with an organisation which had applied for funding and left the meeting while this item was under consideration.

            Councillor Long declared an interest in item 2(b) Support for businesses affected by the August riots, in that his wife was Justice Minister, and he left the meeting while these items were under discussion.

            Councillor Brennan declared an interest in items 2(c) Summer Community Diversionary Programme Assessments and 5(b) Asset Management – St. John Vianney Youth Club: Lease arrangement, in that she worked for or was associated with organisation which had applied for funding or involved in the lease and left the meeting while these items were under consideration.

            Councillors Beattie and Councillor Duffy declared an interest in item 2(b) Social Supermarket Fund in that they were associated with organisations which applied for funding and left the meeting while this item was under discussion.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following ten items are 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 Schedule 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 details of the assessments undertaken by officers and seeking approval to award funding for the 2025-27 Summer Community Diversionary Programme.

            After discussion, it was

            Moved by Councillor Bunting,

            Seconded by Councillor Duffy,

            That the Committee agrees that funding be awarded as follows:

            On a vote, eleven Members voted for the proposal and none against, with five no votes and it was declared carried.

            The Committee further:

·         Noted that any funding awarded was subject to further engagement with groups and analysis of projects and associated budgets in line with Council due diligence procedures, this would include any outstanding financial and monitoring returns with regards to other Council funding; and that funding would not be awarded until approved contracts were issued and signed;

·         Approved permission for those organisations which had been successful to use Belfast Parks for their event or activity and delegated authority to the Director of Neighbourhood Services to ensure the following:

•       Negotiate satisfactory terms and conditions of use via an appropriate legal agreement prepared by the City Solicitor, including managing final booking confirmation dates and flexibility around ‘set up’ & take down’ periods, and booking amendments, subject to:

-       The completion of an appropriate management plan;

-       The promoter resolving any operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

-       The promoter meeting all the statutory requirements of the Planning and Building Control Service, including the terms and conditions of the Park’s Entertainment Licence.

            It was agreed also:

1.       That the delivery of the programme in 2025 would be for 1 year;

2.       To review the criteria in November 2025 for delivery of future programmes; and

3.       Engagement be undertaken with Dr Jonny Byrne for further review of the programme.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the open call for applications and asked the Members to consider potential options for allocation funding awards to applicants.

Proposal

            After discussion, it was

            Moved by Councillor Garrett,

            Seconded by Councillor Brennan,

            That the Committee agrees:

·         not to proceed with the current process but to reissue the applications for the social supermarket programme;

·         to review the criteria beforehand and ensure that there was weighting added for organisations within areas of multiple deprivation;

·         to add into the criteria that those organisations applying must be able to demonstrate that they have experience of managing a scheme of this nature providing support to those struggling financially as a result of the cost-of-living crisis;

·         as best we can, we will seek to ensure there is not proliferation of services close together; and that the scoring criteria be presented to party group leaders in advance of the applications opening or a special meeting of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee if needed.

Amendment

            Moved by Councillor Maghie,

            Seconded by Councillor Nelson,

        That the Committee agrees to adopt option 1, that is, to provide 100% of the required budget to fund the 18 top scoring projects.

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

            The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor Garrett was put to the meeting, with ten Members voting for and six against and it was declared carried.

            In addition, it was agreed that, in the interim period, bridging funding be provided to those groups which had been in recent of funding in the previous financial year.

            The Committee considered the information on options for direct support to the businesses set out in the report and agreed an approved approach as suggested at paragraph 3.9 as a basis for engagement with eligible businesses.

            The Director of Finance submitted a report which provided and update on the work underway to implement a robust approach to longer term financial planning in compliance with the CIPFA Financial Management Code.

            The Committee noted the work required in three areas to support the implementation of a 4 year MTFP as part of the 2026/27 rate setting process:

Governance

·         Update Scheme of Delegation

·         Update Financial Regulations 2015

·         Agree to a workshop in May to consider the following:

o    Consultancy Spend Analysis

o    Format of Meetings

o    Initial Workplan

o    Timetable for 2026/27 rate setting

Corporate and Financial Planning

·            Review and integrate corporate and financial planning cycles

·            Review existing and emerging priorities

Investment Planning

·         Undertake capital thematic sessions with Members

·         Approve 8-10 year capital programme

·         Establish funding models to deliver costed strategies

            The Committee noted:

·         the progress on the work programme for the Organisational Reviews and Change portfolio and timescales going forward.

            And approved:

·            An increase to the City and Neighbourhood Services establishment headcount.

            The Committee noted a report which provided information on the number of employees on temporary contracts, secondments and the number of agency assignees and which outlined the steps being undertaken to reduce the reliance on temporary contracts and agency assignees and approved the creation of 10 peripatetic General Operative posts.

            The Committee noted the update:

·         on the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition, including the emerging proposed asks from Government; and

·         on forthcoming engagement with the UK Government in Westminster, Irish Government in Dublin, and the Northern Ireland Executive, as part of a comprehensive engagement plan aimed at securing additional funding and powers to unlock regeneration and development in Belfast.

            The Committee considered a report in relation to proposals for interventions at a number of bonfire sites.

            Moved by Councillor Bunting

            Seconded by Councillor Duffy,

            That the Committee agrees to the following interventions at 3 Council sites:

1.         Inverary / Tommy Patton Park – Sand Base - £350

2.         Flora Street – Request for Fencing - £568 + VAT

3.         Benmore Drive - Request for Fencing - £1850 + VAT

4.         Pitt Park – Request for Sand and Fencing –– £1050 + VAT (Sand £500 + Fencing £550)

            In a vote, sixteen Members voted for the proposal and two against and it was declared carried.

            The Committee noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 37 (a), the Committee had delegated authority for decisions in relation to the Bonfire Management Programme where the Chief Executive, or in her/his absence the Deputy Chief Executive, determine that a decision which would otherwise be taken under an officer’s delegated authority requires political direction.

            The Committee considered a report, the purpose of which was to:

-         Update the Committee on the Belfast Stories programme and progress 2025;

-         Provide an overview of the Belfast Stories Outline Business Case (OBC);

-         Provide the Committee with a timeline for the OBC submission and approval; and

-         Seek approval to submit the OBC in May 2025 to the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) for £65m funding.

            The Committee:

-         noted the programme and design progress to April 2025;

-         noted the overview of the Belfast Stories Outline Business Case (OBC), 5 case model as set out in this report and the timeline for the OBC submission and approval;

-         agreed to submit the Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Department for Economy (DfE) for £65m funding as part of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD); and

-         agreed that a further report and presentation on the RIBA stage 2 concept designs and consultation findings will be brought to SPR in June 2025.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the report to enable further information to be provided.

The Committee considered a report in relation to proposed arrangements for 2025/2026 in relation to the extended cultural programme which was established following a request from members in relation how they might address under representation of certain groups within previous rounds of funding.

            The Committee:

·         noted that £100,000 was approved for events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day at the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 21st February 2025. This incorporated a proposed programme of events to be organised by the Council for 8th May 2025, together with the associated costs of up to £30,000 and establishment of a small grant scheme up to the value of £70,000 for local communities to organise street parties to mark VE day.

·         Approved up to £300,000 towards an Extended Cultural Programme and to develop and issue Funding Agreements for 2025/26 as detailed below in relation to:

The Committee also approved the retention of underspends from 2024/2025 for both Ulster Scots Agency and Pride due to operational challenges faced by those organisations and to extend the timeframes for the 2024/25 funding agreements.

It was further agreed that officers work with Belfast Pride and Visit Belfast to produce an assessment of the impact of Belfast Pride on the city, not limited to but including the economic impact in terms of spend in the arts, culture, hospitality and accommodation, and the promotion of the city as a safe, welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, study and visit.

The Committee deferred consideration of the report to a special meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Beattie, Keenan and Kennedy.

Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            The purpose of this report is to update members in relation to the work to date on the Council’s Ethical Procurement Policy and, pursuant to the decision of SP&R meeting of 21st February 2025, provide details in relation to the Council’s banking arrangements.

2.0         Recommendations

2.1         Members are asked to:

·            note the update in relation to the work on the Council’s Ethical Procurement Policy;

·            consider the proposed policy approach;

·            agree that an interim Ethical Procurement Policy is developed pending a review of the Social Value Policy to include wider ethical procurement considerations; and

·            agree that the Council goes out to tender for a new banking provider pending adoption of the interim Ethical Procurement Policy.  

3.0         Main report

3.1         Key Issues

Ethical Procurement Policy

At its meeting on 23rd February 2024, SP&R Committee agreed that a report would be brought to Committee on the following Notice of Motion:

“This Council deplores those corporations that profit from protracted armed conflict and systematic violations of human rights, particularly in the context of Israel’s continuing brutal assault on the people of Gaza and escalating settler terrorism in the West Bank, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and other conflicts around the world. With this motion, the Council encourages companies to meet their obligations to avoid contributing to adverse human rights impacts through their own activities, and to prevent or mitigate human rights abuses linked to their operations.

The Council is aware of the crucial role of local authorities and their public procurement procedures in ensuring respect for human rights by companies, as well as their obligations under widely accepted business and human rights norms – as laid down in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the Global Sullivan Principles (1999) – to promote respect for human rights by companies with which they do business.

The Council affirms that every endeavour is made to ensure that councils tender processes are consistent with the above principles, including under the Fourth Geneva convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and under customary international humanitarian law, prohibiting the importation or sale of goods or services originating in occupied territories.

This Council resolves to adopt a rights-based Ethical Procurement Policy (EPP) that takes fully into account existing obligations and standards. The EPP will incorporate widely accepted and precisely formulated international standards and explain clearly how the policy will be implemented. The primary aim of the EPP is to ensure that human rights obligations are properly acknowledged, observed and respected at all stages of the procurement process.”

3.2         Members will be aware that the phrase ‘ethical procurement’ covers a wide range of issues relating to the ethical and sustainability goals of an organisation. It is effectively a company’s Code of Conduct which sets out the principles which guide a company to proactively eliminate unethical practices throughout its supply chain.

3.3         The UN Guiding Principles  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee approved the Council’s response to the Department of Finance’s consultation on the Domestic rating measures.

            The Deputy Chief Executive submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1        To seek approval to accept a Contract for Funding to deliver Phase 2 of Belfast 5G Innovation Regions programme; and to update on a number of inclusive innovation opportunities. 

2.0        Recommendations

2.1        The Committee is asked to:

1.     Approve that Belfast City Council’s acceptance of a £1.3 million contract for funding from the Dept for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) to deliver Phase 2 of Belfast 5G Innovation Regions programme and to note the related work strands.

2.     Note Belfast City Council’s proposed contribution to a bid by Newcastle University’s i30 team to the Economic and Social Research Council to deliver a £85,000 programme to inform approaches to inclusive innovation by City Deal and similar innovation investments.

3.0        Main report

3.1        The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation programme encourages collaboration between government, industry, SMEs, academia, and communities. The aim is to harness digital innovation to address public policy challenges, while at the same time encouraging greater investment in innovation to stimulate economic growth. The approach seeks to leverage significant third-party funding.

3.2        Contract for Funding to deliver Phase 2 of the Belfast 5G Innovation Regions programme

            The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has offered a Contract for Funding to Belfast City Council for £1.3 million to deliver phase two of the Belfast 5G Innovation Regions programme.

3.3        Members will recall that under Phase 1, Belfast City Council was awarded £3.8m to deliver a twelve-month programme. The majority of this funding was issued by Belfast City Council as grants to third-party organisations to deliver a range of 5G projects which were showcased at City Hall on 5 March. In addition, £50,880 was contracted via the G-Cloud public procurement framework for grant design services, while a further £401,400 was procured via the NI Dept of Finance’s Public Shared Services Network to deliver programme management and Enablement Services for Phase 1.

3.4        For Phase 2 a revised approach has been accepted by DSIT that will include:

·         Funding for a Belfast City Council programme manager a 12 month period.

·         £650,000 for ‘Public Services innovation hub’ based at Cecil Ward / 9 Adelaide which will deliver a small number of 5G-enabled projects focused on issues such as dynamic occupancy management, energy management, environmental monitoring, etc. Work is underway to identify those projects most likely to contribute to Council’s efficiency programme.

·         A £300,000 grant scheme for Belfast region organisations (including SMEs and local councils) to deliver their own 5G-enabled use cases. The City Innovation Office are also engaging with Belfast Region City Deal partners to consider leveraging additional funding from the Digital pillar to increase this total.

·         The DSIT funding will also fund ‘Solution Designer’ services for organisations and companies to identify project proposals for the grant scheme.

3.5        Members are asked to approve acceptance of the Contract for Funding. Following signing of the contract the programme will run through to 31 March 2026.

            Towards an Inclusive Innovation approach  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

            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 was advised that the Council had been approached to work with QUB and Belfast Healthy City to bring forward a joint funding submission to the Horizon Europe and Innovative Health Initiative grant funding call.  The intention of the overall €15million funding bid across seven cities (named Cities@Heart) would be to enable work to be undertaken with the WHO Health Cities Network and innovative technology to reduce recognised cardiovascular risk factors (Hypertension, High cholesterol, obesity and inactivity) in order to more effectively manage risk and prevent future cardiovascular events.

            Cities@Heart would focus on obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes as key drivers of cardiovascular disease and poor health. The intention would be to identify effective public health activities which offer potential to scale-up. It would also seek to develop and deploy as well as strategies to leverage engagement and citizen empowerment, raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, effective prevention, early detection and optimal management.

            The emerging bid would involve 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.

            Together with citizen and industry co-creation, the cities would apply a structured, multi-sector methodology that includes:

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

                       ii.      a digital ecosystem that would 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 could apply across the 1800+ cities in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

            Cities@Heart would build connections and capacity across our broad array of stakeholders, including citizens, patients, municipalities, healthcare providers, policymakers and industry, and support the next generation of health technology to address critical barriers in cardiovascular disease across Europe.  The Members were reminded that addressing health inequalities was a priority set out in the Belfast Agenda.  The funding proposal might enable related work to be taken forward at a local level and officers were engaging with QUB, BHC, PHA and BHSCT to explore opportunities for Belfast.

            The Director of City and Organisational Strategy advised the Members that the Council had been asked to be a partner in the submission and the emerging programme of work.   Further clarity was being sought on the role of Council in the project, the level of officer involvement, the scale of project funding available to local government and the role of industry partners.  Any future request for resources would be subject to the Committee’s consideration and agreement.

            The Committee noted the content of the report and agreed that the Council continue to engage with QUB and Belfast Healthy City (BHC) to explore a possible role for the Council in the Cities@Heart project; and noted that any future financial or other implications would be brought back to the Committee for consideration and approval.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1        To provide information on promotion and assessment of the Summer Scheme for Additional Needs grant and seek approval to award funding to successful applicants.

1.2        The People and Communities committee on 2 February 2025 agreed to offer a grant to enhance provision within the sector and to support participation for those who cannot access any other summer scheme programmes or services during the summer months due to support needs.  A fund of £80,000 was agreed with a total amount of £20,000 allocated per area, north, south, east and west Belfast.  Strategic Policy and Resources committee of 21 February 2025 agreed an additional £40,000 with £10,000 allocated per area, north, south, east and west Belfast.

1.3        To advise members of the outcome of the open recruitment process and for members to agree upon an allocation model.

2.0        Recommendation

2.1        The Committee is asked to:

·         Note the contents of the report and agree an allocation model for the additional needs summer scheme.

3.0        Main Report

3.1        A co-ordinated campaign to advertise and promote the grant was launched on 7 March 2025.  The information was disseminated widely to community and voluntary contacts, Belfast Health and Social Care and Health Trust locality planning groups, Department of Education Special Educational Needs schools and was also promoted across Belfast City Council website and social media platforms. 

3.2        53 application forms were issued. 16 were returned with two of the applications failing eligibility checks. Of the 14 applications passed for assessment and moderation, there were five from organisations whose facilities are in South Belfast, four from North Belfast, three from East Belfast and two from West Belfast, although the children which most applicant organisations reside are from across the city. The total amount requested by eligible applicants was £116,249.82 which is within the £120,000 financial limit. The amount requested by providers in some areas exceeds the £30,000 allocation, whilst the amount requested from other areas is less than the £30,000 allocation.

            Applications received

3.3        Table 1 details the amount requested by each organisation and the area where their facility is located, table 2 summarises the amount requested based on where the providers’ facilities are located, table 3 summarises the number of children which the funding will support based on where they reside.

            Table 1.

3.4        Table 2.

3.5        Table 3.

            Assessment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

            The Committee considered the undernoted 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 the Half Year Update, requests for stage movement approvals under the Capital Programme along with updates on capital letters of offer and contracts awarded.

2.0  Recommendations

2.1  The Committee is requested to –

·         Physical Programme Half Year Update - Note the overall update on projects that have been completed recently and projects currently under construction at 3.1 to 3.4 below and in Appendix 1; and that the Property & Projects Department is happy to arrange a site visit to any projects that have been completed or are underway.

·         Capital Programme Movements -

o    Fleet Programme – Small Vehicles Service – Note that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this project is within the affordability limits of the Council and agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum budget of £470,000.

o    EV Charging Network - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

o    Belfast Zoo Health & Safety Works - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

o    35-39 Royal Ave Health & Safety Works - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

o    Victoria Park Basketball upgrade; Ormeau Park Basketball upgrade; West Basketball courts; Loughside Changing Facility; Mobile Changing Places; Makaton Boards; Strangford PF Enabling Works; Musgrave Park Sensory Garden; Woodvale Park Sensory Garden - Agree that the projects are added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow business cases and designs to be developed.

o    Belfast Bikes eBikes – Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

o    Under the Bridges – Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

o    Ulster Hall Lighting Scheme – Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

·         Capital Letters of Offer – to note the update in relation to capital letters of offer.

·         Contracts awarded in Q4 2024/25 – to note the update in relation to contracts awarded.

3.0  Main report

      Key Issues

      Physical Programme Half Year Update

3.1  Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial Physical Programme. This includes the rolling Capital Programme –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

            (On the advice of the City Solicitor, the Members of the Planning Committee, that is, Councillors Murphy, Brennan, Ferguson, Garrett and Whyte, left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.)

(Councillor Nelson in the Chair.)

            The Committee:

i)          Cromac Street Car Park – Licence Renewal

-           Approved the renewal of a Licence agreement from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) to Belfast City Council in relation to the council operated off-street car park at Cromac Street.

ii)        Station Street Car Park – Licence Renewal

-           Approved the renewal of a Licence agreement from the Department for Communities (DfC) to Belfast City Council in relation to the Council operated off-street car park at Station Street.

iii)       The Lighthouse Building, The Gasworks Estate – Proposed change of use from office use to residential use

-           Agreed to defer the matter to enable further information to be provided.

iv)       St. John Vianney Youth Club, River Terrace - Lease assignment

-               Agreed to defer the matter for further information to be provided on a possible licence to occupy.

v)        Belfast City Centre Festive Lighting Fittings – Agreements with building owners

Approved entering into agreements between Belfast City Council and building owners within the city centre for the purpose of erecting festive lighting fittings.  Terms of the agreements are to be

(Councillor Murphy in the Chair.)

            The Committee:

·         approved the public advertisement of tenders as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 1);

·         approved the award of Single Tender Actions (STAs) in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 2);

·         noted the award of retrospective STAs in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 3);

·         approved the modification of the contract as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 4);

·         noted the non-procurement expenditure as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 5);

·         approved the award of a project to the International Organization for Migration ‘IOM’ as per Standing Order 56a and as detailed in section 7 of the report; and

·         noted the Quarter 4 24/25 update regarding STA and Contracts <£30k Reporting as detailed in section 8 of the report.

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on 7th April 2025 including:

Discussion on the Refresh of the Good Relations Strategy

and Development of a 3-year Action Plan

·         The Partnership recommends to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it notes the contents of presentation.

Asylum Dispersal Programme – Update

·         The Partnership noted the contents of the report in relation to the Asylum Dispersal Fund and recommend that SP & R note the contents of the report.

PEACE IV – Secretariat Update 

·         The Partnership noted the contents of the report and recommends to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it notes the contents of the report.

PEACEPLUS Belfast City Council  Local Community Action Plan – Update

·         The Partnership noted the contents of the report and agreed that a six-month extension request (to 30 June 2028) be submitted to SEUPB and recommend that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report and agree the above recommendation.

AOB

·         The Good Relations Manager updated the Partnership following receipt of an email detailing an increased level of funding which would enable full programme implementation of Council’s Good Relations Action Plan for 2025/2026

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 10th April 2025.

            The Committee approved the recommendations as set out below:

            The Committee authorised the Irish Guards 125th Anniversary remembrance service at the Cenotaph on 5th September, 2025, subject to the submission of appropriate event management plans and satisfactory terms being agreed with the event organisers, to include resolving all operational issues and meeting all statutory requirements, including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, and licensing responsibilities.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Disability Working Group of 9th April 2025.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the City Hall/City Hall Grounds Installations Working Group of 14th April 2025.