Agenda and minutes

An apology was reported from Councillor Long.

The minutes of the meeting of 20th June 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 July, 2025.

            Councillor Ferguson declared an interest under item 8(b) Requests for use of the City Hall and the provision of Hospitality in that he was associated with an organisation which had submitted an application.  As the item did not become the subject of debate, he was not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor Beattie declared an interest under items 4(d)Department for Communities (DfC) Letter of Offer Community Support Programme (CSP) 2025/26 in that he was associated with a group/organisation which had applied for or received funding and left the meeting whilst the items were under consideration.

            Councillor R-M Donnelly declared an interest under items 7(a) Shared City Partnership in so far as it related to PEACEPLUS in that she worked for an organisation which had applied for funding; and 8(b) Requests for the use of the City Hall and the provision of hospitality in that she was employed by an organisation which had submitted an application.  As the items did not become the subject of debate, she was not required to leave the meeting.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following six 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 six 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 advised that content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which takes place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.  

            The Director of Finance submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report providing information on the financial position for Quarter 1 2025/26.

            He reported that, at the end of Quarter 1, the financial position for the Council had shown an underspend of £1.14m, representing 2.2% of the net expenditure budget. The Quarter 1 Departmental forecast was an overspend of £0.5m, representing 0.3% of the net expenditure budget.

            The Director then provided updates on the 2025/26 pay rise, the Extended Producer Responsibility Assessment 2025/26, the reserves position and the rates finalisation.

            The Committee noted:

·        the Quarter 1 financial position; and

·        the Quarter 1 Treasury Management report.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the assessment of the key financial factors which would influence the development of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 - 2029/30 and the rate setting process for 2026/27, together with an overview of the priorities and work in progress to establish the 2026/27 - 2029/30 Efficiency Programme.

            The Committee:

·        noted the challenges to be taken into consideration as part of the annual and medium-term rate setting; and

·        agreed to defer a decision on the district rate increase to be levied on domestic and non-domestic properties to enable further details to be provided.

The Committee:

·        noted the progress on the work programme for the Organisational Reviews and Change Portfolio and timescales going forward; and

·        an increase to the Legal and Civic Services establishment headcount.

The Committee:

(i)        Plot 26, Balmoral Estate – Proposed surrender of part of NIFRS Lease

Approved entering into negotiations with NIFRS in respect of agreeing the terms of a surrender of part of its existing Lease at Balmoral Estate and agreed to a further report in the future use of the Bouche Road Playing Fields.

(ii)      Belfast Stories Site, 3rd Floor,108 Royal Avenue – Surrender of lease with May Gordon

Approved the surrender of lease with May Gordon re 3rd floor, 108 Royal Avenue and payment of compensation of up to £15,000.

The Committee considered a report which sought approval for the allocation of the necessary budget to facilitate the hosting of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast in August, 2026.

Proposal

After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor Beattie,

Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

      That the Committee agrees to note the proposed governance arrangements but that discussions be undertaken with Comhaltas in relation to the Fleadh Executive Committee and inclusion of other local organisations.

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

The Committee further:

·        Noted the Strategic Case and the economic impact and return on investment; and

·        Noted that an update on programme development and engagement would be brought to the next meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee;

·        Approved the draft outline expenditure budget for Fleadh Cheoil 2026; and

·        Agreed not to establish a Members Working Group but that a further report be brought back to the Committee on alternative arrangements including the use of delegated authority.

The Director of Legal and Civic Services reminded the Committee that, in April 2024, the Council had approved the draft Irish Language Policy to go out for public consultation.  The draft policy and associated draft Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) were issued for public consultation for a 14-week period between 17th August 2024 and 28th November 2024. 

The Council had also carried out a staff consultation alongside the public consultation during the same period. 

The public and staff consultations were supplemented by a range of online and in-person consultation events across the city, and an online survey through the Council’s YourSay engagement platform.  The same survey was provided for both the general public and Council staff (that is, there were no additional or different questions asked of staff).   The Council also consulted with trade unions in accordance with the agreed Industrial Relations framework.

Accordingly, the Director submitted a report which provided an update on the findings from the consultation on the draft Irish Language Policy and which sought direction from the Committee on several key issues identified.

Proposal

            After discussion, it was

            Moved by Councillor Beattie,

            Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

            The Committee:

(i)          Noted the contents of the report, including:

a.          The Report on the Public Consultation (Appendix 1)

b.          The Report on the Staff Consultation (Appendix 2)

c.           The Trade Union Joint Response to the consultation (Appendix 3)

d.          The EQIA Final Decision report (Appendix 4)

(ii)         Agreed, in principle, to adopt a bilingual logo, subject to agreed further engagement with Trade Unions, stakeholders and design work;

(iii)       Agreed that relevant stakeholders be invited to the next meeting of the Committee;

(iv)       Noted that further engagement with JNCC and the Stakeholders Forum will be undertaken based on Committee direction on the key issues identified; and

(v)        Noted that a final version of the draft Policy, together with a proposed Implementation Plan and options for an updated logo, will be brought to Committee at its next meeting.

            On a vote, fourteen Members voted for the proposal and five against and it was declared carried.

The Committee was reminded that,at the meeting of the Standards and Business Committee on 28th April, that Committee had exercised its delegated powers to adopt the undernoted motion:

“This Council strongly opposes the proposed Welfare reforms as part of the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper from the UK government, which will have disproportionate impacts on vulnerable people in the North; commits to writing to the First and Deputy First Minister asking them to lobby the UK Government to reverse changes that will negatively impact vulnerable people; further commits to writing to the Minister for Communities to prepare a business case for a mitigation package which provides protections for current and future claimants from reductions insocial security entitlements outlined in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.”

            A response had since been received from the Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, MLA, in which he acknowledged the Council’s concern regarding the possible implications of the legislation. In addition, the Minister had pointed out that he had relayed his “strong opposition” to the Secretary of State and government ministers at Westminster. He added that he was committed to delivering a welfare system that “protects those who need it the most” and that his officials would continue to work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to assess the full implications of the legislation in Northern Ireland.

The Minister further added in his correspondence that the Department for Work and Pensions would be hosting a consultation event on Monday, 16th June. However, as the correspondence was received late on Friday, 13th June, it was impractical to advise Members. 

The consultation has now closed, and the Department was considering the responses.

            The Committee noted the receipt of the correspondence and agreed to the closure of the motion.

The Committee was reminded that, at the Council meeting held on 2nd June, the following motion was passed:

“That this Council notes that the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement recognises the birth right of all the people of the north to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both;  recalls that, in November 2013, the Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution recommended to give citizens residing outside the 26 counties the right to vote in presidential elections; further notes that Irish citizens living in the north can stand for, and be elected as, President of Ireland but cannot vote in presidential elections; and calls on this Council to write to the Irish Government and ask that they implement the recommendation of the Convention on the constitution with regards to voting rights in presidential elections, thereby extending the right to vote in elections for President of Ireland to all Irish citizens on the island of Ireland.”

            The Committee was advised that a response had been received from Mr. Simon Harris TD, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In his response he advised that a Private Members Bill on Extending Voting Rights in Presidential Elections to citizens of Northern Ireland and the diaspora was debated in the Dáil Éireann on 24th May, 2025.

He outlined that the Government did not oppose the motion and that extending voting rights to citizens outside of the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland would require a referendum and the Government would continue to reflect on the matter.

            The Committee noted the receipt of the correspondence and agreed to the closure of the motion.

The Committee considered the following report:

1.0       Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       This report is to provide an update to Committee on the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) and seek approval for the BRCD Annual Report 2024/25.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Approve the BRCD Annual Report for 2024/25

·        Note the update in relation the Implementation and Financial Plan

3.0       Main report

            Annual Report 2024/25

3.1       The agreed reporting arrangements for all City and Growth Deals requires the production of an Annual Report and the requirement to meet with the Northern Ireland Delivery Board in order to discuss deal progress as part of an ‘Annual Conversation’ which is arranged to take place at the end of August this year.

3.2       A high level, outward focused Annual Report has now been produced for 2024/25 and outlines the specific progress made at the overall programme level with some very tangible progress achieved in this reporting year.  Key highlights as of 31 March 2025 include:

·             A total of 16 projects with Outline Business Cases (OBCs) now approved alongside three Full Business Cases (FBCs) with a combined project value of £620m. 

·             Following FBC approval this year iREACH Health hosted an official sod cutting ceremony in February 2025, with the construction phase for the world-class clinical research centre having now commenced. 

·             In June 2024, construction commenced at the state-of-the-art Factory of the Future at Global Point in Newtownabbey marking a major milestone for the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC). Due to open in early 2026, the innovation centre with capacity for 150 staff, is set to reinvigorate local industrial potential and address the future technology and skills challenges faced by the region’s manufacturing sector.

·             Augment the City successfully progressed through and completed the first two phases of its 3-phase SBRI programme. 

·             Four Contracts for Funding and funding agreements were signed – including Gobbins Phase 2 and Destination Royal Hillsborough.

·             21 contracts associated with BRCD projects now include social value clauses, to date these contracts that have commenced reporting to the SIB portal have committed to delivery of a total of 10,935 Social Value Delivery Points. Mainly through interventions such as paid employment opportunities for apprentices, student placements and graduates, health and wellbeing initiatives and climate change and carbon reducing training.

·             Studio Ulster moved into full operation and as previously reported the official launch took place in June 2025 marking a new era for virtual production, creating opportunities and positive economic impacts for Belfast residents, and for our city and region.

·             Two additional cross deals skills assessments were completed for the Virtual Production and Digital Sectors and a review of identified actions is underway to determine those suitable for inclusion in a BRCD Collaborative Employability & Skills action plan.

3.3       The Annual Report, which was approved by the BRCD Executive Board on 18th June 2025, is attached at Appendix 1 for Members’ consideration.   The individual BRCD partners will also be seeking approval for the Annual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

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 Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted the undernoted report:

1.0       Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            The main purpose of this report is:

·        Inform Members that Council has received the Letter of Offer for the Community Support Programme 2025/26 from the Department for Communities (DfC).  The Department has provided an uplift of 9% across certain elements of the programme.

·        Seek agreement from members on the options to allocate the additional funding provided based on the detail provided in the report. 

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Members are asked to:

                                            I.           Agree the preferred option relating to the Community Support General additional funding. (Table 2)

                                           II.           Agree the preferred option for the reprofiling of the budget for Advice and Tribunal services. (Table 3)

                                         III.           Agree the proposed additional funding allocation for: Community Support General, Advice Grant and Welfare Reform Mitigations Extension-Tribunal Representation.

3.0       Main Report

Background

3.1       A report on the Letter of Offer received from the Department of Communities Department for Communities (DfC) Letter of Offer Community Support Programme 2024/25 was considered at the August meeting of the People and Communities Committee.

3.2       Members had asked that the following elements of the paper be referred to the August meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration

1.             Options relating to the Community Support General additional funding (outlined in Table 2)

2.             Options for the reprofiling of the budget for Advice and Tribunal services (outlined in Table 3)

3.             Note the proposed additional funding allocation for: Community Support General, Advice Grant, Welfare Reform Mitigations Extension-Tribunal Representation which are captured under points 1 and 2 above.

3.3         Members will be aware that the Department for Communities (DfC) provides an annual grant to Council through its Community Support Programme (CSP) Letter of Offer. This funding provides an element of the budget towards Capacity Building, Revenue for Community Building grant, Summer Scheme Grant as well as Generalist Advice. It also provides 100% funding for Social Supermarkets.

3.4         Council received the CSP 2024/25 Letter of Offer from DfC on 13 June 2025.  There is an increase to this year’s funding across several new and existing elements. 

Additional Funding by CSP Heading

3.5         Table 1 illustrates the additional 9% uplift and available budgets under the relevant headings to be considered by SP & R.

Table 1

3.6       Proposed Allocation of Additional Funds

It is proposed that additional funding for elements 1-3 should be allocated using the approaches outlined below. Further detail is provided in Appendices 1-3

1. Community Support General

3.7       Members are asked to consider and agree their preferred option for allocating the additional funding provided under the Community Support General heading (£82,007.26) as outlined in Table 2. Further detail on the organisations funded through Capacity and Revenue awards is provided in Appendix 1

Table 2

The Committee deferred consideration of the matter to allow further information to be provided on the co-sponsors.  The Committee also agreed that information on the assessment of participants in previous programmes would be provided at a future date.

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

1.0       Purpose of Report

1.1            To update Members on current City Innovation initiatives including the submission to the first phase of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayoral Challenge competition.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

1.     To note the Belfast Alleyways proposal has been submitted to Bloomberg Philanthropies and that a decision on whether we proceed to phase one is expected by the end of August.

2.     To retrospectively approve Belfast City Council’s inclusion in a joint bid to DSIT’s Regulators Pioneer Fund to independently map mobile coverage in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.

3.     To retrospectively approve letters of support to both Ulster University and Queen’s Universities for two separate, independent, funding bids to the National Institute for Health and Care Research £50m funding call to tackle health inequalities.

4.     To approve support for Ulster University and the Agile Ageing Alliance consortium bid to Horizon Europe’s ‘GenAI4EU’ call to deliver a potential €5,000,000 project which would include a demonstrator in Belfast.

5.     To note the date of the first event in the Belfast: Inclusive Futures series and that invitations have been issued to all Members.

6.     To approve attendance by two officers to accompany the Belfast Innovation Commissioner to this year’s Smart Cities World Congress to develop innovation funding and investment opportunities for the city.

7.     To approve the participation of an officer from the City Innovation Office in the i30 Inclusive Innovation Medellin visit. Travel costs are included in the project funding.

3.0       Main report

            Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayoral Challenge 2025

3.1       Following Member approval, Belfast City Council applied to Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayoral Challenge with a proposal ‘to re-imagine Belfast’s network of alleyways’. This broad proposal was accepted and over the past few weeks officers have been involved in planning workshops with the Bloomberg team to prepare Belfast’s submission for phase one funding by 15 August.

3.2       If this submission is approved by Bloomberg $50,000 will then be made available to Council to work with local communities and stakeholder over September and October to develop the detailed $1 million application to deliver a 24-month programme.

3.3       The work of this first phase will be engaging with communities and stakeholders on options delivery mechanisms for a future Belfast alleyway transformation programme. It will examine local demand, types of viable projects, and specifically at co-delivery models with communities and the community and voluntary sector that can be sustained over the long term. Members should note that this phase will not be identifying specific locations for projects. There will be a range of engagement mechanisms including at least five neighbourhood workshops across the city.

3.4       Members are asked to note the submission of the Belfast proposal and that a decision from Bloomberg on phase one is expected by the end of August. Details will follow at a future Committee.

DSIT’s Regulators Pioneer Fund

3.5       Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council invited Belfast City Council to be a supporting partner in a £1 million  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4e

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

1.0            Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            The purpose of this paper is to submit for the consideration of Members a draft corporate response to the Department for Communities (DfC) draft Anti-Poverty Strategy consultation.

2.0       Recommendations

Members are asked to:

i.            note the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy being consulted upon – CLICK LINK;

ii.          consider and provide feedback on the draft Council response attached at Appendix 1; and

iii.         agree that the draft Council response, subject to any amendments made by Members, be submitted to DfC.

3.0      Main report

3.1       The Department for Communities (DfC) recently launched a consultation on a draft Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland, which sets out a proposed framework for addressing poverty in a practical and sustainable manner.

3.2       DfC defines poverty as the inability of individuals and households to afford the essentials of life, including food, housing, heating, and other basic needs. It is influenced by factors such as low income, high living costs, employment insecurity, health inequalities, and access to services. When people experience poverty, it can lead to poor mental and physical health, reduced educational outcomes, social isolation, and intergenerational cycles of disadvantage.

3.3       This strategy proposes a vision of eradicating poverty sustainably, supported by principles of collaboration, dignity, inclusion, and respect. It is structured around three pillars, each with associated outcomes:

1.        Minimising risks;

2.        Minimising impacts; and

3.        Exiting poverty

3.4       Key outcomes include improving education and skills, addressing health and disability barriers, supporting vulnerable groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, carers, and children in care), enhancing employment quality, tackling place-based deprivation (e.g., transport poverty and access to green spaces), and promoting civic engagement. The strategy also commits to involving those with lived experience, developing indicators aligned with the Programme for Government, and establishing an Anti-Poverty Strategy Board for oversight.

3.5       As part of the recent refresh of the Belfast Agenda, a key and immediate area of concern emerging from key stakeholder groups, community and voluntary sector representatives, citizens, communities of interest, and elected Members was the growing poverty crisis facing the city and communities. There was a strong call to action for community planning partners to work with NICS Departments to move quickly to bring forward immediate and integrated measures to support vulnerable people, alongside helping inform the development of long-term and sustainable approaches and underpinning strategies, policies, and programmes.

3.6       There is little doubt that the scale and complexity of challenges, with a dangerous combination of rising living costs, stagnant wages, insecure employment, inadequate access to essential services, and systemic barriers for groups like disabled people, single mothers, and ethnic minorities, could create the perfect storm and push many households further into poverty. These pressures come at a time when many household budgets are already stretched thin, exacerbated by issues such as the two-child benefit limit, long health service waiting times, and in-work poverty.   Living in poverty can severely affect a person’s life in a wide range of ways, on physical and mental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4f

The Director of Property and Projects submitted for the Committee’s consideration 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, update on proposed new crematorium at Roselawn, along with updates on capital letters of offer and contracts awarded.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

·        Capital Programme Movements –

o  Asset Management System – Integrated Work Management System – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with a contract to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

o  Belfast Stories - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and update regarding the funding position on the submitted Business Case to the Department for Economy (DfE) as part of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD).

o  Communication Boards in Playgrounds – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £170,000.

o  Strangford Playing Fields Enabling Works - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £60,000 to allow contractor to be appointed and enabling works to commence.

o  City Hall External Christmas Tree - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with a contract to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

o  Basketball Courts – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

o  Woodvale Park Sensory Garden – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

o  Musgrave Park Sensory Garden - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

The Committee:

(i)               St. John Vianney Youth Club – Lease assignment & Deed of Variation to LORAG

-        Approved the assignment of the existing Lease between the Council and the Trustees of St. John Vianney Youth Club to Lower Ormeau Residents Association Group (LORAG) to ensure continuity of a youth club following the dissolution of the Trustee company.

-        Approved the submission of an application to the Department for Communities to seek approval for a rent at less than best value.

(ii)             John Murray Lockhouse- Disposal of lands to LORAG

-        Approved the freehold disposal of 0.055 acres of land to be carved out of the existing community garden ground Lease to LORAG to facilitate an extension to the John Murray Lockhouse project.

-        Approved the submission of an application to the Department for Communities to seek approval for a disposal at less than best value.

(iii)           Ulster Hall, 3rd Floor Recording Studio– Renewal of Lease with BBC

-     Approved the renewal of the Lease between the Council and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for the recording studio for a term of 5 years from 1 July 2025 at a rent of £3,500 p.a. 

(iv)           Hope Street Car Park – Disposal of Land

-        Approved the disposal of land resulting in the loss of 4 no. car parking spaces to the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.

(v)             Glor-Na-Mona – New licence at Whiterock Close

-           Approved a short-term licence for a meanwhile use at lands adjoining Glor-Na-Monas existing premises at Whiterock Close.

-           Approved amendment to the user clause for the current Lease and License to Glor- Na-Mona

-           Approve the proposal that the transaction can progress under delegated authority powers upon receipt of LPS valuation. 

(vi)           Port Health Services – Transition arrangements from existing to new facilities

-        Approved a Licence extension from DAERA to the Council to occupy DAERAs new Point of Entry inspection facility on a long-term basis.

-        Approved a Tenancy at Will from Belfast Harbour Commissioners (BHC) to the Council to retain the existing inspection facility as an operational contingency on a short-term basis.

Proposal

Benview Community Centre – New Licence

Moved by Councillor Murphy,

Seconded by Councillor R-M Donnelly

      That the Committee agrees to reject a new 5-year licence agreement for the use of a portion of Benview Community Centre as a play centre and for use of storage container.

On a vote, twelve Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was declared caried.

The Committee:

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

·               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 2):

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on 4th August 2025 including:

Good Relations - Quarter 1 Update

·        That Shared City Partnership recommends to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that they note the contents of the report, including the allocation of £170,945.41 in grants through the Good Relations Small Grant Scheme.

Forth Meadow Community Greenway Signage update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommends to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that they also note the contents of the report

Peace Plus Local Community Action Plan (LCAP) Mobilisation Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report.

Peace Plus Thriving and Peaceful Communities Thematic Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report

Peace Plus Celebrating Culture and Diversity Thematic Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report.

Peace Plus Processes Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommends that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee note the contents of the report.

      Update from Partnership Members

·        A Member advised the Partnership of an upcoming event entitled “Re-imagining Peace” which would take place in the City Hall on Monday, 29th September.

·        A further Member reported that an event marking the International Day of Peace and promoting shared space would be taking place at Alexandra Park on Sunday, 21st September 2025.

Any Other Business

·        The Chair welcomed the new Faith representative, Rev. Graeme Kennedy, who was taking over from Fr. Martin Magill and thanked Fr. Magill for all of his input over the last year.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 14th August 2025.

            The Committee approved the recommendations as set out below:

The Committee was reminded that requests for the use of City Hall and the grounds 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 requests set out below falls into this category.

            PWC Sleep-Out for Homelessness Awareness 26th September 2025

PWC had held similar events on 20th October 2023 and on 27th September 2024 and the events were successful with no incidents, hence PWC requesting a third event.

The proposed sleep-out would take place along the West façade of City Hall, with around 50 participants sleeping overnight on the pathways, ensuring a safe distance from the intruder alarms situated along façade. Their preference was concrete rather than the grass lawns. The City Hall building and grounds would be closed to the public as normal at this time. The only Infrastructure onsite would be portaloos, no catering provision was planned, and participants would bring their own sleeping materials. A wet weather alternative was not available inside the City Hall. PWC staff would fundraise in advance of the event and monies raised would be donated to charities helping with homelessness.

A Belfast One Halloween 25th – 26th October 2025

Belfast One had held similar events on 28th and 29th October 2023 and on 26th and 27th October 2024 and the events were successful with no incidents, hence Belfast One was requesting a third event.

The event would be aimed towards families celebrating Halloween, with a pumpkin patch on the west lawn with a few novelties throughout such as scarecrows. The event would be ticketed online and at the gate, allowing for restricted flow throughout the day, with an allowance of 80 guests per half hour to avoid overcrowding.  It would be designed with a route through the patch with an entrance and exit on opposite sides to stop congestion and limit lawn damage, with mats in place to help mitigate damage also. There would be some additional entertainment throughout the day such as characters animation. The set-up would be facilitated from the afternoon of the 24 October 2025. The event intended to support wider activity across the City Centre. A report outlining Council funding for this event and associated city-wide activity was presented to City Growth and Regeneration Committee on 6th August by the Culture and Tourism Unit.

            In respect of the PWC request, it should be noted that the city centre was very busy on Friday evenings and therefore there might be a requirement for the organiser to pay for additional security depending upon the event management plan and risk assessment.

There would be no costs to the Council for both these requests as the various organisers would bear any/all stewarding and equipment costs etc. themselves. The normal event support in the form of electrical and water provision in the grounds was not required for either of these events. There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8c

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the City Hall/City Hall Grounds Installations Working Group of 13th August 2025.