Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting of 18th and 28th April  were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that the minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st May.

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

            Councillors Groogan, R-M Donnelly and Duffy declared an interest in item 7(d) 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.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following four 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 with suggested options in relation to the approach to provide funding for social supermarkets in 2025/26 following its decision in April not to proceed with the current process.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor R. McLaughlin,     

            Seconded by Councillor Black,

            That the Committee agrees:

·          to adopt option 1 for funding social supermarkets in 2025/26;

·          that the criteria for funding be reviewed by September, 2025; and

·          not to fund organisations which received funding in 2024/25 but did not apply for funding in 2025/26.

Amendment

      Moved By Councillor Bunting,

      Seconded by Councillor Ferguson,

      That the Committee agrees to proceed with option 3 for the funding of social supermarkets for 2025/26.

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

          The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor R. McLaughlin was put to the meeting and passed.

      The Committee agreed also to:

·        grant delegated authority to the Director of Neighbourhood Services to make further allocations based on the agreed option, if further funding becomes available; and

·        approve that the Council provide any additional funds required to provide 25% bridging support to 2024/25 funded groups, up to a maximum amount of £13,738 per group.

            The City Solicitor/Director of Legal and Civic Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing an update on the City Hall Income Regeneration Project and which sought approval for the introduction of the charges set out in the next phase of the project.

            The Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed a £4 entrance fee for visitors to the City Hall Ground Floor Exhibition, except for under 18s and community visits organised via elected members, with a review to undertaken after 1 year.

            The Committee:

i)       Glenbryn Park – Licence to Groundwork NI - Approved a Licence agreement from Belfast City Council to Groundwork NI for the purpose of a community garden.

ii)     Requests For Council to act as Sponsoring Body – Approved the Council granting in principle approval to act as Sponsoring body in the acquisition of surplus assets available through the D1 trawl at Northgate Business Park, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast to North City Business Centre and Dill Road DVA centre Belfast to East Belfast Enterprise and The Turnaround Project.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter to enable further information to be submitted to a special meeting.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To present Committee with the Corporate Plan 2025-2028 and the accompanying annual Corporate Delivery Plan 2025-26 for consideration and approval.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

i.       agree the draft Corporate Plan (2025-28) as attached at Appendix 1, for publication, subject to minor edits based on Member comments;

ii.      agree the draft annual Corporate Delivery Plan (2025- 26) as attached at Appendix 2.

3.0       Key Issues

            Background

3.1       Members will be aware of the challenging environment within which the Council currently operates.  The escalating fiscal strain, fuelled by rising prices, a cost-of-living crisis and economic challenges are having significant adverse impacts on individuals, families and services across the city and widening inequalities.

3.2       Members have set the challenge to the Council of pivoting its focus and resources to meet the challenges and opportunities which emerge over this Council term. The process through which the new three-year corporate plan has been co-designed with elected members was essential and provided a platform to help inform and connect the Council’s resource planning cycles (budgets, people, capital and assets) and the development of a Medium-Term Financial Plan. 

3.3       Members will be aware of the discussions which has taken place since the election of the new Council through Standing Committees, Party Group Leaders meetings and all Member workshops in relation to the emerging draft Corporate Plan and proposed priorities for future investment.

3.4       In December 2024, SP&R Committee agreed that a draft Corporate Plan be published for a public consultation exercise between January – March 2025. Whilst response numbers were small, most comments received were supportive of the priorities outlined in the corporate plan.  Minor changes to language have been made to the draft corporate plan where feedback highlighted the need for greater clarity in some areas.

            Corporate Plan 2025-2028

3.5       Members will be aware of the importance of the corporate plan as a key governance document, cited in the Council’s constitution as the means by which the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee sets the strategic direction of the council. It sets out what the council wants to achieve for the city and the key priority actions to make this happen.  These priorities are then used as the basis for informing any emerging medium-term financial plan. 

3.6       The corporate plan is also a key communication tool for staff across the organisation in understanding the strategic importance of their work in terms of helping  to shape the city and improving people’s lives. This contribution and impact ranges from cleaning our streets, lifting bins, maintaining our excellent parks, delivering key strategic programmes such as our employability schemes, delivering large scale events or providing essential back office support.

3.7       Subject to Committee consideration and approval, it is proposed that the members approve the draft Corporate Plan 2025-28 for publication (subject to Full Council).  Should Members do so, it will be published online, and an underpinning communications plan will commence in June that articulates the Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Director of City and Organisational Strategy submitted the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1             The purpose of this report is to update members on the findings of the public consultation on the draft performance improvement objectives and to present the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) 2025-26 for Committee consideration and approval.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Committee is asked to:

·        Approve the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) 2025-26 attached in Appendix 1, for publication on the Council’s website, subject to minor edits and formal ratification by the Full Council on 2 June 2025. 

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Part 12 of the Local Government Act (NI) 2014 requires councils to consult residents on proposed improvement objectives and to publish an annual Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) by the 30 June. The PIP identifies the agreed improvement objectives for the year ahead, the actions to be delivered and the measures of success to be achieved. The PIP helps to meet the outcomes and objectives of the Community Plan and the Corporate Plan 2025-28.  The PIP doesn’t include everything that the Council plans to do in a given year, it focuses specifically on areas for improvement and feeds into the Annual Corporate Delivery Plan 2025-26. The performance improvement objectives are aligned to the key themes and priorities identified within the new Corporate Plan 2025-28 and the Belfast Agenda 2024-28.

            Consultation exercise and findings

3.2       Members will be aware that we carried out an eight-week public consultation in relation to Council’s draft improvement objectives 2025-26 and associated actions between 17 February - 14 April 2025. The public consultation process included an online survey via Council’s Your Say Belfast consultation and engagement website and two targeted focus groups. The survey was promoted using a range of communication methods including social media posts, posters in community buildings, email marketing to existing mailing lists, intranet promotion and websites.

3.3       Out of the 88 people that completed the survey, it should be noted that:

·        there was broad consensus across majority of respondents supporting the improvement objectives.

·        the highest level of 86.3% was received from respondents who strongly agreed or agreed with ‘Our people and communities’ improvement objective based on supporting our residents to become healthier and engaged.

·        the lowest of level of 73.9% was received from respondents who strong agreed or agreed with the ‘Compassionate city’ improvement objective based on supporting our most vulnerable people to make Belfast a more caring, safe and inclusive city.

3.4       In addition, two focus groups with 62 young people and 9 older people were facilitated to enable participants to reflect their priorities and areas for improvement.  A detailed summary of the feedback received is included in the consultation report in Appendix 2.  

3.5       The qualitative feedback and comments received was shared and considered internally by key officers from the relevant departments to action where relevant and help inform future delivery and/ or amend current activity. Some minor amendments were made to realign actions within the PIP. Members will also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To inform Committee of a proposal by the non-profit Management and Leadership Network (MLN) to host a prominent climate leadership event ‘Sustain Exchange’ with up to 300 decision-makers. To request approval for a funding agreement to be put in place between Belfast City Council and the event organiser with the value of £8,450+vat. The event will put the challenges, opportunities and absolute need for positive action associated with climate change, on the agenda for local organisations and leaders.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Support this climate leadership conference by approving a funding agreement to the value of £8450+vat be entered into with the event organiser.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Background

            It is now beyond doubt that organisations of all shapes, sizes and sectors need to radically reduce their environmental impact both directly and indirectly through their supply chains. The extreme weather experienced across the globe over the past 12 months has further evidenced the reality that the effects of climate change are being felt now and the need for decisive action from organisations, championed by their leaders, is now. We are fast approaching the point of no return.

            It is a truly transformative time for organisations as they address climate risks and identify new opportunities in the green economy. The transition is not straightforward. Organisations need help in developing planet positive practices, securing cleaner power, heat and transport solutions. They need help in navigating new markets to find more environmentally sustainable solutions in their supply chain, and they need to do it fast. There has never been a more important time to find specialist help to navigate the transition, and to educate, inform and engage by sharing the existing knowledge and exemplar experience of those at the forefront of the transition.

3.2       Purpose and format of event

            The Sustain Exchange Summit will deliver on the objectives above and will connect local decision-makers with international thought leaders as well as those at the forefront of the transition locally.

            The event is expected to attract some 300 local leaders (primarily business leaders but also those from the public, NDPB and third sectors) to a Belfast City Centre venue with strong public transport links to ensure the carbon footprint of the event is kept to a minimum. The Sustain Exchange project will ensure the messages, around the need and importance of positive climate action are heard, and the Council’s proactivity in this area will be strongly profiled before and during the event.

3.3       Content

            Previous speakers at this event have included the eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator Sir Jonathan Porritt CBE, Norman Crowley (global entrepreneur and founder of CoolPlanet) and Sit Tim Smit KBE (Founder of The Eden Project and world-renowned thought leader in sustainability) and John Elkington (the global godfather of sustainability and creator of the triple bottom line concept). The 2025 Sustain Exchange Summit will again be delivered to a world-class standard and will feature globally-renowned speakers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3c

            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 and agreed that revised target dates be included in future reports.

            The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services submitted the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To seek Committee approval for the design and delivery of a Belfast inclusive innovation public dialogue series that will inform a new programme of work that seeks to unlock new inclusive growth opportunities from the Belfast Region City Deal and other investments.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

1.      To approve the Inclusive Innovation public dialogue series at City Hall as part of the development of an Inclusive Innovation programme.

2.      To note that the £85,000 proposal by Newcastle University to work with Belfast and three other cities to develop tools and techniques for inclusive innovation, has been accepted by the Economic and Social Research Council and that the project will commence in June 2025 with a planning workshop with partners in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

3.0       Main report

3.1       The innovative adoption of technology by all sectors of the economy is a core element of the Government’s strategy for increasing productivity, generating new jobs and businesses. By way of example, in the realm of AI tech adoption alone the Government is projecting a boost to UK’s GDP by over 10% by 2030. To support this approach the Government is encouraging cities and regions to build the conditions that will encourage collaborative innovation by all actors including industry and business, government, academia and communities.

3.2       The Government’s approach is echoed in the strategic rationale for the Innovation, Digital and Skills pillars of the Belfast Region City Deal. These investments are designed to foster a regional innovation ecosystem that encourages R&D, innovation, tech adoption in ways that generate inclusive benefits for SMEs, communities and individuals.

3.3       However, an innovation-driven economy offers both opportunities and challenges for city leaders committed to inclusive growth. While such an economy will generate significant growth and wealth for a region, there is evidence that without well-planned, citizen-focused interventions, such an economy can actually widen inequalities and generate new barriers to jobs, services, and business opportunities.

3.4       ‘Inclusive innovation’ is an increasingly popular term for the types of interventions that are required to address such risks. While there is no settled opinion as to which interventions are likely to be the most effective, there is important, current research in this area by institutions including King’s College, Cardiff University, Newcastle University, Nesta, and locally at Queen’s University. Much of this research is being considered by UK Government as it seeks to ensure an inclusive approach to the national economic strategy.

3.5       Locally, the Belfast Innovation Commissioner recently co- authored a new paper with Robyn Klingler-Vidra and Alex Glennie of King’s College on measuring inclusive innovation. The research draws on the Belfast experience and will be published in Global Policy Journal[1] on 16 May.

3.6       Working with the Belfast Innovation Commissioner, and City Deal partners, the Council’s City Innovation Office is aiming to unlock this research and practice to generate new inclusive growth opportunities through the Belfast Region City Deal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3e

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 21st June 2024, it had approved sponsorship of the 2024 Diversity Mark Summit.  Diversity Mark was an independent not-for-profit Diversity and Inclusion Accreditation in Northern Ireland and had, to date, accredited almost 200 organisations across the UK and Ireland on their path to a more inclusive workplace. Membership provided support to employers to make and demonstrate progressive improvement in creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. The Council holds the Silver Diversity Mark Accreditation and was currently working towards attaining Gold Accreditation. The Council continued to work closely with Diversity Mark on a number of initiatives and forums aimed at sharing and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion best practice.

            The Council had been invited again, along with a small number of other organisations, to contribute to the 2025 summit as a supporting sponsor. The main sponsor of the event was Allstate.

            The benefits for sponsoring organisations are as follows:

·        Strategic Involvement: Continued involvement in the EDI Forum. The forum will support on shaping the strategic direction of this annual summit and meet to explore best practice and global trends in EDI as identified by Diversity Mark.

·        Prominent Recognition: Elevate your organisation’s profile with extensive recognition and promotional opportunities throughout the summit as a valued supporting sponsor, ensuring visibility among industry leaders and decision-makers.

·        Exclusive Attendance: Secure up to 15 in-person summit passes for employees, promoting diversity from senior levels throughout, with the flexibility to invite guests or donate tickets to charitable organisations.

·        Thought Leadership Platform: Opportunity to showcase your expertise by speaking at the summit or suggesting influential speakers.

·        Comprehensive Branding: Benefit from extensive branding across all promotional materials, advertisements, and the website, with logo prominently displayed throughout the summit venue as a supporting sponsor, reinforcing your organisation’s commitment to EDI and its pivotal role in driving economic growth and inclusivity

            The investment required for this sponsorship was £2,250.  This included 15 places at the summit and a seat at the Steering Committee and would be met from the existing Organisation Development budget.

            The Committee agreed to the sponsorship of the Diversity Mark Summit 2025.

            The following report was submitted for the Committee’s consideration:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek retrospective approval from Members for the attached officer response to the Call for Evidence for a Sign Language Bill which was submitted to the Northern Ireland Assembly prior to the deadline of 9th May 2025.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       It is recommended that Members:

1.      Note the contents of this report.

2.      Provide retrospective approval for the officer response to the Call for Evidence which was submitted on 2nd May 2025.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       In March 2004, the then British Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, formally recognised British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) as languages in their own right. This recognition does not provide any statutory protection for the languages.

3.2       The Sign Language Partnership Group (SLPG) led by the Department for Communities (DfC) was established as a forum in 2007 to bring together the government Departments and key organisations and representatives representing the Deaf community to improve access to public services for sign language users. The Council’s Language Officer sits on the SLPG.

3.3       In 2016, a Sign Language Framework was launched by DfC, which provides details to address the lack of support and historical under investment for ISL and BSL, including proposals for legislation to officially recognise, promote and protect both languages and to provide support for the parents and families of deaf children.

3.4       On 23rd January 2025, Communities Minister Lyons announced at the Executive that he was introducing the draft Sign Language Bill to the Assembly. This took place on 18th February 2025. The Sign Language Bill has been referred to the Assembly’s Committee for Communities so that the Committee can consider and take evidence on the Bill and report its opinion to the Assembly.

            Call for Evidence – Sign Language Bill

3.5       The Committee is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill.  Link to Sign Language Bill.

3.6       The Bill has 15 clauses. Clauses in Chapter 2 of the Bill requires prescribed organisations, which includes Councils, to carry out duties to ensure information and services provided are as accessible to individuals in the deaf community as they are to individuals who are not in the deaf community and to offer or facilitate the use of British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language for the benefit of the individuals in the deaf community in accessing information and services provided by the organisation. Prescribed organisations will be required to develop and implement five-year Sign Language Action Plans and to submit updates to the Department for Communities.

3.7       The Council has prepared and submitted a response to each clause by the submission deadline, Friday 9th May 2025. 

3.8       Committee will note that the Council has already committed to the proposed obligations in the Sign Language Bill. We have a Language Strategy which includes Sign Languages as one of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3g

            The Strategic Director, Place and Economy submitted the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide proposals on a refreshed approach to city centre governance in the context of existing and established Community Planning structures.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Agree to proposed refreshed approach to city centre governance in the context of existing and established Community Planning structures.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members will be aware of the city centre governance arrangements agreed by this Committee in 2022. These were designed and implemented with relevance to a specific point in time which allowed responses to the emerging and often sensitive and difficult issues and anchored within established Community Planning Structures.

3.2       As the operating environment and circumstances have changed, and taking account of feedback on duplication from representatives in relation to the various groups that had been established, it is timely to revisit the governance and delivery arrangements which had been initially put in place for the city centre, with a view to streamlining, integrating and refocusing to ensure that they are fit for purpose and remain relevant to all involved. In addition, work on the stocktake of the Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy (BCCRIS) was completed last year and recommended ‘a multi-agency approach to place keeping and city management’.

3.3       This is line with the refresh of the Belfast Agenda, following which Community Planning Partnership partners agreed to revisit the associated governance arrangements to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

3.4       Reflecting on the BCCRIS stock-take and status of initiatives, as well as engagement with and feedback from key stakeholders/partners, it is proposed that we seek to consolidate the Multi Agency Operational (Tasking) Group and FCC Leadership Group into one group ‘City Centre Leadership Coordination Group’ (illustrated in Appendix 1).To ensure a cross sector shared partnership approach it is proposed that this is anchored as per the initial governance under the auspices of Community Planning. This will ensure a multi-agency approach with representation across the public, private and third and community sectors. The proposed draft TOR are set out below to provide Members with a sense of purpose to this proposed forum:

a)     The Group as anchored with Community Planning structures, will contribute to realising the shared vision and ambition as set out in the Belfast Agenda; encouraging greater coordination and collaboration across partners in relation to the city centre to deliver our shared vision of creating ‘a vibrant, unique and thriving place where people spend time, live, work, visit and invest’.

b)     To ensure that a fit-for-purpose vehicle exists to raise and expedite issues relating to the priorities for the city centre across the five pillars of Regeneration & Connectivity; Business Investment, Animation & Distinctive Offering, Clean, Green Inclusive & Safe and Vulnerability.

c)     To enable engagement, discussion and collaboration between key public and private stakeholders (including central and local government, anchor institutions, retail, business and umbrella organisations, developers, community, third sector and other relevant city centre  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3h

            The Director of Planning and Building Control submitted the following report for the Committee’s consideration:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

            To update the Committee on the consultation published by the Department for Infrastructure on 21 March 2025 on Developer Contributions for Wastewater Infrastructure and to agree a draft response to the consultation.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Note the contents of the consultation and agree the draft response set out in Appendix 2.

3.0       Main Report

                        Background

3.1       Long term underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure continues to have a significant effect on development in NI and in Belfast. Upgrades to the system haven’t been able to proceed at the pace required and much of the infrastructure is aging and needs upgrading. There are now areas across Belfast that have limited or no capacity to allow for new connections to the NI Water sewerage network.

3.2       The Living with Water Programme provided a route through which to implement improvements to the wastewater infrastructure across Belfast. Whilst projects were progressed, the funding required to deliver improvements has been cut and the programme itself has effectively been paused.

            Consultation

3.3       A consultation on Developer Contributions for Wastewater Infrastructure was published on the 21 March. The document sets out that DfI are taking a three-pronged approach to resolving the current issue:

1.      Working with Executive colleagues to try and increase wastewater investment

2.      Exploring options for developer contributions and

3.      Introducing the Water, Flooding and Sustainable Drainage Bill to the Assembly to enable the Department to issue future guidance on the design, maintenance and adoption of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

3.4       DfI are also working at a strategic level with colleagues in DfC and DAERA to identify steps which can be taken to maximise the building of houses and with NI Water to identify projects that can release capacity. No further information is given on the other workstreams within the consultation document.

            The proposals

3.5       The consultation document recognises that there is no expectation that developer contributions will provide all, or even most, of the significant funding needed to address the full capacity challenges within the existing wastewater infrastructure network.

3.6       There is also recognition that any contribution towards upgrading or replacing wastewater infrastructure would increase the costs to the developer of building new houses, that this could be passed on to the purchaser and that this could be the case for both private and social housing developers.

3.7       Whilst the consultation considers ‘developer contributions’, it is clear that what is being proposed under the two options contained within the report is not what is currently considered as a planning agreement under s76 of the 2011 Planning Act (commonly referred to as developer contributions). Neither option would be operated by the local planning authority (although the consultation asserts that a payment made under the first option could be considered to be a material consideration in decision making).

3.8       A synopsis of the two options is set out below:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3i

            The Committee considered 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 and an update on Wilmont House.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

·        Capital Programme Movements –

o   Historic Tiled Street Signs - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

o   Historic Cemeteries Phase 1 - Agree that a first phase is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

o   Bridges Improvement Programme Phase 1 - Agree that the first phase is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

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

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

o   Ulster Hall Lighting Scheme - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up.

o   Corporate Accommodation CWB and Duncrue Complex– Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

·        Note the update on Wilmont House and that funding has been secured by Golden Thread Gallery from National Lottery Heritage Fund for a feasibility study which will be carried out in partnership with the Council.

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 rolling Capital Programme – a multimillion regeneration programme of investment across the city which improves existing Council assets or provides new council facilities. The Property & Projects Department is happy to arrange a site visit to any projects that have been completed or are underway.

            Capital Programme - Proposed Movements

3.2       As outlined above Members have agreed that all capital projects must go through a three-stage process where decisions on which capital projects progress are taken by the Committee. This provides assurance as to the level of financial control and will allow Members to properly consider the opportunity costs of approving one capital project over another capital project. Members are asked to note the following activity on the Capital Programme:

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the South Area Working Group of 19 May 2025.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter.

            The Committee was advised that the following requests for funding had been received:

1.      Shankill Juniors Football Club for funding of approximately £12,000 to support their participation in the Milk Cup in July.

2.      NI Walking Football Federation to provide funding of £5,000 to support five individuals from Belfast who are competing in the International Federation World Championship in Malmo, Sweden on the 3rd to 7th July.

3.      Irish Athletic Boxing Association for £25,000 towards the cost of hosting an elite boxing camp in Belfast in August 2025 in advance of the Elite World Championships in Liverpool in September.

            The Committee approved the requests.

            The Committee agreed also that a request from Antrim Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Club for funding of £20,000 to jointly promote the two associations as well as provision of kit, physical and nutritional advice, which had previously been deferred by the Committee, be approved.

            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);

·        approved the modification of the contract as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 3); and

·        noted the award of retrospective STAs in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 4).

            The Committee noted the attached 3 papers presented to the SPWG:

1.        SPWG Report - Sustainable Procurement Policy which provides an update on proposed amendments to the current Social Value Procurement Policy ‘SVPP’ and asks Members to approve and/or provide further feedback on the proposed approach i.e. publish a new Sustainable Procurement Policy.

2.        SPWG Report - Short duration projects (including Appendix 1) which asked Members to approve an amendment to the SVPP to allow for additional flexibility so that Officers can include a simpler/ more flexible social value scoring approach in tenders that are <6 months (approx.) in duration.

3.        SPWG Report - SVPP Delivery Report May 25 (including Appendix 1) which provides an update on the delivery of social value outcomes via open tender competitions awarded in accordance with the ‘SVPP’

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on 12th April 2025 including:

Good Relations Quarter 4 Update

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

Good Relations Action Plan Budget Update

·          The Partnership noted the contents of the report and recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that they note the contents of the report, including the proposal to proceed with the Good Relations Action plan as detailed in the body of the report

Update from Partnership Members

·          The Partnership noted a number of verbal updates from various Members in relation to ongoing good relations issues across the Belfast

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 meeting was inquorate at this stage, as such the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee is requested to endorse the report recommendations, summarised as follows:

o    the revised CRT Animation Timeframe subject to SEUPB approval;

o    the cross-community breakdown for participants as outlined in Option 2.

            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.

            To this end, 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.

            An equality screening and rural needs impact assessment template was completed by the relevant officer, in collaboration with the Equality and Diversity Unit.  On a regular basis, the Unit collates all completed templates into a screening outcome report and publishes it onto the Council’s website, along with the relevant completed templates. 

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

            The Committee was reminded that the rural population of Belfast was comprised of the small settlements of Edenderry, Hannahstown and Loughview.

            Section 1 (1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 required public authorities to have due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing, or revising policies, strategies and plans, and when designing and delivering public services.  As part of that duty, Council officers complete Rural Needs Impact Assessments.

            Section 3 (1) of the Act required public authorities to:

i)       Compile information on the exercise of their functions;

ii)      Include that information in annual reports; and

iii)     Send that information to DAERA.

            The Annual Return was designed to inform stakeholders and other interested parties of how the Council had had due regard to rural needs in the exercise of its functions. The Annual Return showed how the Council had met this duty for 2024-25.

            Subject to Committee and Council approval, the Annual Return would be submitted to DAERA next month for inclusion in its Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report in order to meet DAERA’s deadline for publication.

            A copy of the Annual Return, together with a list of the completed Rural Needs Impact Assessments would be published on the Council’s website as the Council does not have an annual report.

            The Committee approved the Annual Monitoring Return to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for 2024-25, which provided evidence of how the Council had met certain duties under the Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 15th May 2025.

            The Committee approved the recommendations as set out below:

            The Committee was reminded that requests for the use of City Hall were normally dealt with under the authority delegated by the Committee to the Director of Legal and Civic Services using criteria agreed for this purpose. Occasionally, however, it was necessary to place such requests directly before the Committee, and the request set out below fell into this category.

            Belfast TradFest, described as “the pinnacle of world-class traditional music concerts, fiery pub sessions and Ireland’s fastest growing summer school of traditional music, was set to celebrate its 7th edition across Belfast UNESCO City of Music” from Sunday 27th July – Sunday 3rd August 2025.

            TradFest was a registered charity and Belfast City Council funded the festival through its Cultural Multi-Annual funding, and organisers plan to use Belfast City Council branding for the site, if available.  

            As part of the festival, TradFest wished to host a 5-day family-friendly outdoor music stage on the grounds of Belfast City Hall from Monday 28th July to Friday 1st August.  The event would take place from 1pm to 5pm each day and would be free to enter. This vibrant stage would showcase the finest up-and-coming traditional music talent from Belfast and beyond. There would be no catering, trading or sale of alcohol.

            The proposed event would take place on the front west lawn only and areas such as the East Lawn, the Titanic Garden and Cenotaph would remain open to the public. Access to the City Hall building would not be affected. The organiser would provide an Event Management Plan, risk assessment, insurance, stewarding/marshalling staff and first aiders and would comply with the Council’s standard conditions for hire etc. Sound levels from the outdoor stage would be monitored mindful of event proximity to the committee rooms, party rooms and Chief Executive’s offices.

            The Committee approved the use of City Hall grounds between 28th July and 1st August 2025 for TradFest, subject to the submission of an event management plan, risk assessment and the appointment of an event controller to ensure delivery of a safe public events.

            The Committee agreed a report be submitted to the next monthly meeting.

            The Committee agreed a report be submitted to the next monthly meeting.

            The Committee agreed a report be submitted to the next monthly meeting.