Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting 13th December were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council, at its meeting on 9th January, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee

            Councillors Groogan, R-M Donnelly and Duffy declared an interest in item 8(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 also declared an interest in item 2(i)Update on External Funding – UK Shared Prosperity Fund and proposed approach to recouped capital funds in that she worked for an organisation which had applied for funding.  As the item did not become the subject of debate, she was not required to leave the meeting.

            The Committee was advised that, due to a family bereavement, the deputation would not be in attendance.

Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following item 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 was reminded that, at its meeting on 13th December, it agreed to defer consideration of a report on the 2025/26 revenue estimates and rate setting.  Accordingly, the Director of Finance provided an updated report following further meetings with the Party Group Leaders and recommended that the Committee:

1.      Agree that the decisions should not be subject to call-in because it would cause an unreasonable delay which would be prejudicial to the Council’s and the public’s interests in striking the rate by the legislative deadline of 15 February 2025.

2.      Agree the revised £4.9m departmental growth proposals as outlined in paragraph 3.5 of the report and at Appendix 1.

3.      Agree the additional growth requests following Party Group Leader meetings as outlined in paragraph 3.6 of the report and the associated funding strategy for 2025/26 outlined in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

4.      Agree to a domestic rate increase of 5.99% for 2025/26 as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

5.      Agree to recommend the following cash limits for 2025/26 subject to the impact of the decisions made on items 2, 3 and 4 above:

a.      A cash limit of £59,659,873 for the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for 2025/26, including £1,270,000 for Belfast Investment Fund and £3,000,000 for City Deal.

b.      A cash limit of £109,423,272 for the People and Communities Committee for 2025/26.

c.      A cash limit of £22,897,361 for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee for 2025/26.

d.      A cash limit of £2,826,952 for the Planning Committee for 2025/26.

e.      A Capital Financing Budget of £25,274,022 for 2025/26.

6.      Agree the next steps to be taken as outlined in paragraph 10 of the report.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

            Seconded by Councillor Whyte,

      That the Committee does not agree to adopt the recommendations in relation to the rate setting and the revenue estimates.

            On a vote, no Members voted for the proposal and seventeen against, with two no votes and it was declared lost.

            Accordingly, the Committee adopted the recommendations.

            The Committee noted the content of the report and agreed that an Action Plan be developed which set targets for the reduction in the number of agency workers employed in each Council department.  It was agreed also that the next report provide details of when each agency post last went out to public advertisement.

            The Committee noted the progress on the work programme for the Organisational Reviews and Change portfolio and timescales going forward.

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the report until its special meeting scheduled for Friday, 31st January.

            The Committee approved the request from ICC Belfast to provide financial support towards the costs associated with hosting the World Irish Dancing Championships in 2027.

            The Director of Finance reported that the following requests for funding had been received:

1.     A request from Linen Hall Library for the Council to make a one-off financial contribution to secure the future of the Library.

2.      A request from the Belfast Malone Tornadoes Rugby Football Club for the Council to make a financial contribution to helpsecure the teams full participation in the 2025 International Mixed Ability World Cup Rugby Tournament (IMART)being held this year in Paris, France.

Belfast Malone Tornadoes Rugby Football Club

            The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the request from the Belfast Malone Tornadoes Rugby Football Club to allow officers to look at the development of a fund which could support this and similar requests from sporting groups for funding.

            Linen Hall Library

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Beattie,

            Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

      That the Committees agrees to refuse the request submitted by the Linen Hall Library.

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

Further Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Nelson,

            Seconded by Councillor Whyte,

      That the Committee agrees to approve the request for funding of a one-off investment of £175,000 that would assist the Linen Hall Library in continuing to operate as it develops a new business model to make it more sustainable and resilient, subject to due diligence being undertaken.

            On a vote, eleven Members voted for the further proposal and eight against and it was accordingly declared carried.

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from the Irish Football association to lease a football pitch from the Council at the Blanchflower Playing Fields.

            That Committee agreed not to accede to the request.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the report until its special meeting scheduled for Friday, 31st January.

The Committee noted the update provided on UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the proposed additional local capital schemes as a consequence of the funding, and that a further update would be brought to the Area Working Groups for consideration.

            The Committee considered a report which sought to address the income gap which currently existed at the Crematorium, the decision on which needed to be included in the 2025/26 rate setting process.

            The Committee approved the proposed pricing model as part of the 2025/26 rate setting process.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 23rd August 2024, it had considered a request to tender for Pest control services for the Council’s estate up to five years at Council owned sites.

            The Committee did not agree to proceed with the contract and asked for a future report which considered the implications of providing these services in-house to be submitted to a future meeting.  Accordingly, the Committee considered a report in this regard.

            The Committee:

·        noted the contents of the report;

·        agreed to proceed to the detailed service design stage of providing an        in-house service with more detailed analysis of the costs to be provided;

·        noted the update in relation to the pest control interim Single Tender Action; and

·        agreed that officers could continue to use external pest control support as an interim measure.

            The Committee was advised that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 7th January, had referred the following motion - Rates Break Sandy Row Business Community, which had been proposed by Councillor Kelly and seconded by Councillor Bunting

            “That this Council recognises the difficulties that small businesses in Sandy Row are facing since the closure of the Boyne Bridge and the crisis that some find themselves in due to loss of trade.  Agrees to look into a rates break to try and help them through the testing time of the Boyne Bridge closure and recognises that some will not survive without this Councils intervention.”

            The motion calls upon the Council to look into a rates break for Sandy Row businesses - the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee was responsible for finance matters and the setting of the rate and in the first instance the motion had been referred to this Committee.

            The City Solicitor/Director of Legal and Civic Services pointed that, at this time, Members were normally only asked to note that the Notice of Motion had been received and that, if agreed, a subsequent report would be brought to the Committee outlining a detailed consideration of the Notice of Motion and the potential costs implications.  However, it should be noted that the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, at its meeting on 4th December, had already considered a motion on Retail Business in Sandy Row.  In agreeing that a report to be submitted to a future meeting, that Committee had also requested that the potential for rates relief for the businesses be investigated as part of that report.  That decision was ratified by the Council on 9th January.  It was pointed out also that, as the Council did not have the power to grant rates exemptions, the report to come back to Committee would look at the possible options available to Land and Property Services.

            The Committee:

·        noted that in accordance with Standing Order 13(i) that Notices of Motion which commit the Council to expenditure must be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration and report;

·        noted the Council had already agreed to consider potential for rates relief as set out above, that this work was ongoing and agreed to close the notice of motion; and

·        agreed that the motion considered by the City Growth and Regeneration Committee be expanded to include the area on the west side of Durham Street.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To consider the Notice of Motion in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant which was agreed by Council at its meeting on 9th January 2025, subject to equality screening pursuant to Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to consider the contents of this report and determine whether it wishes to adopt the Notice of Motion to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The Committee will recall that Alderman Lawlor, seconded by Alderman McCullough, proposed the following Notice of Motion at the Standards and Business Committee on 21st November 2024:

‘That this Council recognises the unique skills that are held by Armed Forces service leavers; recognises that many veterans can face disadvantages compared to the general population, arising from military life, when accessing services and as such, this Council commits to signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant immediately.’

3.2       Pursuant to Standing Order 13 (n), the Standards and Business Committee referred the  Notice of Motion directly to Strategic Policy & Resources Committee in order for officers to ascertain what is involved and to ascertain what, if any, the Council’s commitments may be in signing the Covenant. At its meeting on 13th December 2024, the Committee rejected the notice of motion.

3.3       At Council on 8th January 2025, this decision was overturned and Council agreed to adopt the notice of motion, subject to equality screening. In accordance with Standing Orders, this report sets out detail of the commitments in the Armed Forces Covenant, to include any financial implications, together with outcome of the draft equality screening exercise.

3.4       The Armed Forces Covenant can be found at the following link: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

3.5       The Covenant sets out two principles. The first is that those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. The second is that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

3.6       The intention of the Covenant primarily relates to issues around housing, education or healthcare.  The Armed Forces Act 2006 is a UK wide Act which imposes a statutory duty upon specified bodies to have due regard to principles of the Covenant. Specified bodies are those authorities responsible for certain relevant housing, education or healthcare functions.

3.7       The draft equality screening report concludes that the signing of the Covenant is likely to have a minor impact on the basis of religious belief and political opinion on both the promotion of equality of opportunity grounds and good relations grounds. This is on the basis that the legacy of the conflict is still very much evident in some areas throughout Belfast and the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant may be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

            The Committee agreed:

·        To defer consideration of the report on the Scheme of Allowances;

·        To the establishment of a Renumeration Panel comprising the Chief Executive, the City Solicitor, the Director of Finance and the Director of Human Resources to consider Elected Members remuneration and allowances, with full delegated authority to the Chief Executive to implement any recommendations made by the Panel; and

·        To write again to the Minister calling for the current legislation to be amended to provide for the establishment of an independent process to deal with the scheme of allowances, thereby removing Elected Member involvement.

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Partnership Manager, Belfast Hills Partnership, indicating that its Articles of Association had been updated to allow for two Councillors from Belfast City Council to become Board members.

            The Council currently had one position, and this was held by the Sinn Fein Party following the selection process for appointments to outside bodies under the St. Lague Order of Choices which was agreed at the Committee meeting held on 26th June, 2023.

            Also at that meeting the Committee “agreed a process to deal with any additional requests from outside bodies for Council representation during the Council term, in that the Party or Parties who would have had the next available choice(s) under the Saint Lague table would be asked to nominate a representative(s)”.

            Accordingly, if the Committee accepted the request the position would be offered in the first instance to the next Party on the list, namely, the Alliance Party.

            The Committee approved the request to increase the number of Members on the Board to two and noted that the nomination would be made in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 26th June, 2023 in relation to additional appointments to outside bodies.

            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 considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to make Members aware of the Department of Communities consultation on the draft statutory guidance on the McCloud Remedy in the Local Government Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) and to seek Members’ approval of the Council’s draft response.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to consider the draft response and approve its submission to the Department of Communities (DfC), subject to any comments or amendment provided.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       After reforming public service pension schemes in 2014 and 2015, the Government introduced transitional protections for older members.  However, in December 2018, the Court of Appeal ruled that younger members of the judicial and firefighters’ pension schemes had been unlawfully discriminated against because the protections did not apply to them.

3.2       This ruling is called the ‘McCloud judgment’. As a result of the ruling, changes have been made to the Local Government Pension Scheme(LGPS) to remove the age discrimination. These changes are known as the ‘McCloud remedy’.

3.3       In 2015, the LGPS in NI changed from a final salary scheme to a career average scheme. Older members who were closer to retirement were protected from these changes. Members were protected if they met these conditions:

·        born before 1 April 1957

·        joined the LGPS before 1 April 2012 (or another public service pension scheme)

·        under age 65 and an active member between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2022

·        took their pension straight away when they left the LGPS.

3.4       When a protected member retired, their pension fund compared the career average pension they built up before age 65 with the pension they would have built up in the final salary scheme. If the final salary pension was higher, the difference was added to their pension. This protection is called the underpin.

3.5       The LGPS rules changed from 1 October 2023 because of the McCloud remedy. The changes are backdated to 1 April 2015, when the career average scheme started. If a member qualified for underpin protection, they will be protected even if they have already left the LGPS or taken their pension.

3.6       The McCloud remedy means two main changes for LGPS members:

1.      Qualifying younger members are now protected by the underpin too. This removes the discrimination found in the McCloud judgment.

2.      The new underpin rules are much more detailed. This means that the underpin works fairly and consistently for all protected members. If you were protected by the ‘old’ underpin rules when you took your pension before 1 October 2023, your pension might increase under the ‘new’ rules.

3.7       In 2020/21 and 2023 DfC consulted on proposals to remove unlawful discrimination found by the courts in the ‘McCloud’ case.

3.8       Members are advised that on 11^th December 2024  DfC issued a further consultation and are now seeking further views on draft statutory guidance to implement the McCloud remedy in LGPS (NI).  It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

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

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To seek approval for Belfast Learning City to join the UK Network of Learning Cities, following an invitation from Swansea Learning City, and to endorse attendance at the network’s inaugural meeting and launch in late January 2025, coinciding with International Day of Education.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

a)     Consider and agree that Belfast joins the emerging UK Learning Cities Network.

b)     Consider and agree that officer representation (maximum of 2) from the Belfast Learning City’s Network attend the inaugural meeting and launch of the UK Learning Cities Network to be held in Swansea in late January 2025.  Members to note the meeting takes place in advance of  February Council ratification.

3.0       Key Issues

            Background

3.1       Belfast joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2018 in recognition of the City’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning for all. This aligns with the vision of the Belfast Agenda, to promote Belfast as a great place to live and work for all.

3.2       Since joining the UNESCO network, Belfast has:

·        Strengthened partnerships with local education, community and business stakeholders: Under the auspices of community planning, a cross-sectoral ‘Learning Cities Leadership Group’ currently exists and comprises representatives from QUB, UU, BMET, BHSCT, PHA, Education Authority, Libraries NI, community partners and Council.  Other key partners, including the Open University and Belfast Healthy Cities, are engaged and plan to join the Leadership Group.

·        Strengthened partnerships with Learning Cities across the island (Dublin, Derry and Strabane, Limerick, Cork and Waterford): These relationships have been formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), enabling collaboration, exchange of best practices and access to joint funding opportunities to deliver shared projects that have directly benefited Belfast’s learning programmes particularly in areas such as community engagement and skills development.

·        Delivered annual Belfast Learning Festivals: These festivals have provided a platform to celebrate and showcase formal, non-formal and informal learning opportunities across the city, with participation from schools, businesses and community groups helping reinforce the city’s commitment to narrowing educational inequalities and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. The city has also administered grant funding to enable not-for-profit organisations to host a learning event as part of this celebration. 

·        Supported initiatives that enhance skills development and community wellbeing: For example, Belfast Learning City recently funded the Aisling Educational Bursary Awards which supported individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds to access further or higher education.

·        Strengthened partnerships with Learning Cities across the globe: This has included informal learning exchanges with cities across Europe, South Africa and Australia.

            The Irish Network of Learning Cities

3.3       In 2019, Belfast joined the Irish Network of Learning Cities (INLC), with the Lord Mayor signing a Memorandum of Understanding between participating  cities including  Derry and Strabane, Cork, Dublin. Limerick and Belfast.  The MOU was renewed and re-signed in May 2022. 

3.4       The INLC meets several times a year to share knowledge, experience and support each other on their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

The Director of Finance submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0       Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1         The purpose of this report is to make Members aware of the Department of Finance consultation on the draft 2025/26 Budget and to seek Members’ approval of the Council’s draft response.

2.0         Recommendations

2.1         Members are asked to consider the draft response and approve its submission to the Department of Finance (DoF), subject to any comments or amendment provided.

3.0         Main report

3.1         Key Issues

              The Draft 2025/26 Budget sets out the proposed departmental allocations for the incoming financial year.

              The Executive is encouraging people to get involved in the Draft Budget consultation and have their say on how to prioritise the finite funding available.

3.2         Members should note that the closing date for responses is 13th March 2025.  A copy of the draft response to the consultation is proposed in paragraphs 3.8 and 3.9 below.  A summary of the key issues are outlined below.

              A Link to the Consultation is detailed below.

              https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/consultations/draft-budget-2025-26-consultation

3.3         DoF are seeking consultees’ comments on the following points:

1.     Do you agree with the prioritisation of funding within the 2025-26 draft budget document?

2.      What services should be prioritised in the 2025-26 budget?

3.      Are there any services that no longer need to be delivered or can be reduced in 2025-26?

4.      Do service charges need to be considered for some services?

5.      Should Public Sector pay be prioritised?

6.      And have you any other views?

3.4         The information provided is at a very high level.  Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to make an informed response to the questions posed.  On that basis it is recommended that the Council does not respond to questions 1-5.

3.5         Within the written ministerial statement issued with the consultation documents, dated 19^th December 2024, there is reference to the Autumn budget and the increase in employers’ National Insurance and the potential cost to local government.

3.6         Prior to this in a statement from government on 18th December they have confirmed £515 million in support for local authorities in England to mitigate the additional impact of the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions.  As members will be aware, this funding will then come through the block grant as a result of the Barnett Consequentials. 

3.7         Members will be aware that additional funding received by the Executive via the block grant is unhypothecated and as such it is at the discretion of the executive as to how that funding is allocated.  It is proposed that the Council provides a response to Q6 – Any other views – as follows:

3.8         Belfast City Council fully understands the serious financial pressures across public services and local government is committed to doing its bit in addressing those pressures.  We do believe in the benefit though of a joined up and ‘whole of government’ approach to public services in Northern Ireland and would encourage us both to work together to protect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5d

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted the undernoted report;

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       Following a meeting of the Strategy Policy and Resources (SP&R) committee on the 22nd November 2024, members requested Officers to consider the Area Based Facet of the Community Recovery Fund (CRF) Action Plan, which the Deputy Prime Minister is making available to support communities impacted by the public disorder that took place between July and August 2024, including Belfast.  In England this will be issued under section 31 of the Local Government Finance Act 2003, and in Northern Ireland funds will be released to the Department of Finance, to support those communities most affected.

2.0       Recommendation

            The Committee is asked to agree that Officers Progress the Community Recovery Action Plan under the following 4 themes: -

·        Theme 1 Good Relations Inclusion and Integration

·        Theme 2 Wider University and Lower Ormeau

·        Theme 3 Community Integration and Inclusion

·        Theme 4 Resource Recoupment

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The CRF is allocative and offers a flat rate of £600,000 to Belfast City Council, to be committed and commenced before the end of the Financial Year 2024-25.

            Expenditure is eligible under this scheme if it is in response to the violent disorder that took place between July and August 2024 and is on, or in connection with:

a.      Immediate action to safeguard life or property.

b.     To prevent suffering or severe inconvenience.

c.      To reduce the risk of further disorder in the future.

d.     To rebuild social trust and promote cohesion between communities.

3.2       The Fund has deliberately sought to provide local areas with flexibility to design a package that responds to their circumstances. Previous reports have detailed examples of projects which are designed to support Community and Voluntary Activity.

3.3       Officers have considered members feedback in relation to the original area-based approach and are recommending a number of changes to the Community Recovery Action Plan, which will assist bolstering support directly to Communities within Belfast City.  The Changes can be summarised as follows: -

1.      CRF002 – Integration and Inclusion has been realigned to £35,000.

2.      CRF003 - Community Centre Programme (Reaching Out) has been realigned to £30,000.

3.      CRF008 – Community Resource Integration and Inclusion has been increased from £180,000 to £330,000.

            This will still leave sufficient budget to develop and target cultural competence and capacity within communities, as there will be opportunity to couple this with Council’s Good Relations Action Plan 25/26.  However, it also means more investment can be provided directly into Communities in Belfast to improve Integration and Orientation.

3.4       CRF008 will be divided into two parts: -

1.      Targeted Intervention £160,000 – Proposals will be sought and developed through an open call for 4 areas in Belfast which have been directly impacted by Racist Attacks, Officers will work with Community Organisations in the following 4 locations, and ensure Community Led proposals to increase Integration and Inclusion of the Migrant population are developed and progressed: -

a.      Sandy Row/Donegal Road

b.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5e

            The Committee deferred consideration of the report to enable a further report to be submitted which addressed those issues which had been raised by Members.

            The Committee was informed that the Smart Belfast Urban Innovation programme encouraged collaboration between government, industry, SMEs, academia, and communities. The aim was to harness digital innovation to address public policy challenges, while at the same time encouraging greater investment in innovation to stimulate economic growth. The following update outlines two initiatives that would contribute to these aims:

            Inclusive Innovation Workshop

            The Deputy Chief Executive reminded Members that they had previously approved a city partner workshop to be held to explore the opportunities for ‘inclusive innovation’; what it means; why it’s important; and how it can help to unlock more local economic and social value from innovation investments such as Belfast Region City Deal and planned major investments by the UK Government in innovation over the next four years. 

            Invitations had been extended to all Members, community organisations, industry, public and university partners (with 70 participants currently confirmed).  It would take place on 28th January at the Titanic Hotel from 9.15 am. The agenda had been developed with the Belfast Innovation Commissioner, Adrian Johnston, who would be chairing the event. It would feature local and national speakers who would share their experiences and perspectives on inclusive innovation. This would include the Council’s own four-year Hubs of Innovation project with the Maritime Belfast Trust; research by King’s Collegewhich had been working with Catalyst on measuring inclusive innovation; Newcastle Upon Tyne’s i30 research programme (which was looking at practice in Newcastle, Belfast, Medellin, and Pittsburgh); and Queen's University’s Communities and Place programme.

            The workshop, which was mainly funded by Horizon 2020, would help inform a future programme of work led by the Innovation Commissioner and the City Innovation Office. Members were encouraged to come along.

            ‘Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayoral Challenge’ competition

            This global innovation competition opened every few years and provided city governments with up to $1 million and multi-year support to transform an essential, city-wide public service.

            The competition was delivered in two stages: Phase 1 provides up to $50,000 to 50 cities to refine and test their initial ideas (March 2025.) While Phase 2 would provide 25 of these cities with a further $1 million to bring their ideas to life. (Phase 2 awards would be made in October 2025.)

            The deadline for submission was 20 December, which had given Council officers very little time to prepare an application that would meet Bloomberg’s detailed criteria and not affording time to submit this first iteration of the application to the Committee in advance.  Officers had therefore focused on areas that aligned to areas of work already agreed by Members. Following an ideation process, that included discussions with the Bloomberg team in New York, the Belfast application focused on re-imagining the city’s alleyways. The idea was to develop a mechanism that would allow the Council and other bodies, including social enterprises, to work directly with communities to sustainably manage city alleyways to promote biodiversity, cultural activities, to encourage active travel, and, by doing so, crowd out anti-social behaviour. This would build on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5g

            The Committee considered a report which sought approval of the draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions for 2025/26 and for their issue for public consultation.

            The Committee:

                 i.          agreed the Council’s proposed 2025-26 draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions, subject to minor edits based on feedback.

                ii.          agreed that the proposed 2025-26 draft performance improvement objectives and indicative actions were issued for public consultation for a period of 8 weeks.  The draft performance improvement objectives were summarised below for Members:

               iii.          noted the next steps, as outlined in the report. 

            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 approvals under the Capital Programme, approval to procure as required for the Physical Programme along with updates on UKSPF, Belfast Bikes, capital letters of offer and contracts awarded.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Capital Programme:

o   IT Programme – Folder Inserter Equipment – Note that a satisfactory tender return has been received and that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this project is within the affordability limits of the Council and agree that a maximum of up to £69,000 be allocated.

o   City Hall Stained Glass Windows - Agree that ‘City Hall Stained Glass Windows – Health Service and LGBT Community’ is moved to Stage 3 – Committed; note that a satisfactory tender return has been received for the LGBT window, that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this project is within the affordability limits of the Council and agree that a maximum of up to £35,000 be allocated to each of the windows, a total allocation of up to £70,000.

o   Belfast Bikes - Note that a satisfactory tender return has been received for a new Belfast Bikes operator, that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council; and note that capital costs can be met via an existing reserve along with either external funding or a growth proposal as part of the Revenue Estimates 2025/26 & Medium-Term Financial Planning report.

o   EV Charging Network - Agree that ‘EV Charging Network’ is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging, arising from the agreed LEV Strategy, to allow a business case to be developed.

o   Fleet Replacement Programme 2025/26 – Note the agreed fleet programme for 2025/26 at Appendix 1 including the replacement of the Lord Mayor’s official car.

o   North Foreshore Development Site - Infrastructure Works – Note the cost increase for this project since the original budget was allocated in 2016, that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council and can be met via capital receipts from the North Foreshore site as previously agreed by Members; and agree to a budget increase of £1.8m.

o   IT Programme – Corporate HR/Payroll System - Note the cost increase for this project since the original budget was allocated in 2016 and that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council and agree to a budget increase of £93,000 up to a maximum total allocation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Committee:

i)       First Floor Office, The Stables, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park - Lease Renewal - approved a new lease being entered into between the Council and Church Mission Society Ireland T/A CMS Ireland for use of the First Floor Office, The Stables, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park.

            The Committee:

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

·        Approved the award of 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 process changes detailed in Section 6.0 Procurement Governance – retrospective STAs.

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on 13th January 2025, including:

Good Relations Action Plan 24/25 Quarter 3 Update

·        That Members recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that they note the contents of the report, including the reallocation of £7,500 from BCC9 into BCC7 to support the Christmas Interface Events as well as the allocation of the additional funding from TEO.

PEACE IV – Secretariat Update 

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

PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan – Update

·        Members note the contents of the report and agree acceptance of the Letter of Offer and recommend that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee also note the contents of the report and agree acceptance of the Letter of Offer.

AOB

·        Members agreed to undertake a walking tour of the Forth Meadow Greenway on either Thursday, 27th March, at 13.30, or Wednesday, 30th April, at 13.30, Officers to progress.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 16th January.

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 for the use of the City Hall Grounds by the Belfast Photo Festival fell into this category.

            The proposed event would take place from 9th till 30th June, 2025, with the exhibition content placed around the perimeter of the West and East Lawn allowing other events to be hosted and the lawns to remain available for recreational use.

            The Committee authorised:

1.      the use of City Hall grounds from 9th till 30th June, 2025; and

the events to take place on the basis of submission of an event management plan and

            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 there were several requests which fell into this category.

            The City Solicitor/Director of Legal and Civic Services Several advised that requests have been received for events over the spring and summer period and that the report sought to update members on larger events using City Hall grounds, due to the larger scale of activities involved it was deemed necessary to seek Committee approval.

            The proposed events would take place on the front lawns only and areas such as the Titanic Garden and Cenotaph would remain open to the public. Access to the City Hall building would not be affected.

            The events would be free to enter. In each case, the organisers would be providing all stewarding/marshalling staff and first aiders and would of course have to comply with the usual conditions including indemnities for damage and submission of a formal event-management plan.

            Accordingly, the Committee was asked to approve the use of the grounds for the following, the details for each having been outlined in the report:

·        Epic Journey to The Open 2025 – 29 April 2025

·        Action Cancer Breast Foot Forward Walk – 6 June 2025

·        Pride Picnic – 19 July 2025

·        Féile Rock’s Pride Concert – 26 July 2025

·        Belfast One Film Screening – 2 and 3 August 2025

·        Belfast Mela Carnival Parade Party – 16 August 2025

            The Committee authorised:

1)     the use of City Hall grounds on dates outlined; and

2)     the events to take place on the basis of the submission of an event management plan and risk assessment to ensure delivery of a safe public events.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Castle, Cavehill, Zoo and North Foreshore Working Group of 7th January.

            The Committee authorised the use of the Council Chamber by two school groups in order to hold debating events.