Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McCusker) and Councillors Michael Collins, Ferguson, McDonough-Brown, Nicholl and Whyte.

The following Members declared an interest in relation to the item contained within the minutes of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 31st July, under the heading “Micro Grants”, in so far as they either worked for or were associated with Groups which had applied for funding, as follows:

·         The High Sheriff (Councillor Verner) as a staff member of the Great Shankill Partnership;

·         Alderman Kingston as a staff member of the Forward South Partnership;

·         Alderman Sandford as he was associated with the Cregagh Wanderers Football;

·         Councillor Black as a staff member of the Roden Street Development Group (Grosvenor Community Centre);

·         Councillor Bunting as secretary of the Belvoir Area Residents Group;

·         Councillor Gormley as a Board Member of the Lower Ormeau Resident’s Action Group (LORAG);

·         Councillor Maskey as a staff member of Intercomm;

·         Councillor McKeown as a Board member of the Forward South Partnership; and

·         Councillor Murphy as Board member of the Ligoneil Improvement Association.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Alderman McCoubrey),

Seconded by Councillor Beattie and,

            Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly Council meeting of 1st July and special meetings of 1st and 10th July, 2020 be approved and adopted.

            At the request of Councillor Mulholland, the Lord Mayor agreed to invite Glentoran Football Club, in recognition for winning the Irish Cup, to the Mayor’s Parlour in line with Covid restrictions. 

            Councillor McMullan expressed sympathy and condolences with the people of Beirut in light of the recent explosion in the City. 

            Councillor Flynn thanked the people who had supported Pride in the city and who had contributed to its success despite the current Covid restrictions.

            Councillor Lyons extended condolences to the family of the late John Hume on his recent passing and praised his commitment to Peace.  He thanked the representatives from the other Political Parties for their kind words and tributes.     

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party of the following changes:

·         The High Sheriff, Councillor Verner to replace the Lord Mayor, Alderman McCoubrey with on the West Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership;

·         Councillor Spratt to replace Councillor Bunting on the Lagan Valley Regional Park; and

·         Councillor McCullough to replace Alderman Dorrian on Groundwork NI.

            The Council approved the changes. 

Omission of Declarations of Interest – 31st July, 2020

The Council was advised that the following declarations had been made at the meeting on 31st July but omitted from the minutes:

·         Alderman Sandford had declared an interest in agenda item 3b – Micro Grant Funding, in that he was associated with the Cregagh Wanderers Football Club who had applied for funding,

·         Alderman Kingston had declared an interest in the same agenda item, in that he worked part-time for the Forward South Partnership, who had applied for funding and noted that he had left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.

Moved by Councillor Black,

Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the special meetings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 9th July, 31st July and 5th August, subject to the forgoing additions in relation to Declaration of Interest at the meeting of 31st July, were approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor Hussey,

Seconded by Councillor Carson and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Planning Committee of 21st July and the minutes of the proceedings of the Pre-Determination Hearing and special meeting of the Planning Committee of 28th July, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.