Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            An apology for inability to attend was reported for Councillor McCullough.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

Moved by the Lord Mayor (Alderman McCoubrey),

Seconded by Councillor Beattie and

      Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the monthly meeting of the Council of 4th May be taken as read and signed as correct.

Strike Action

            Councillor Collins voiced solidarity with the Queen’s University Crèche workers on their ongoing strike asked Members to lend their support.

            Several Members passed on their support and congratulations to Hovis Belfast Workers in securing an eight percent pay rise through their recent strike action.

Thanks

            Councillor Pankhurst expressed his gratitude to the army medics who had been assisting with the Covid 19 vaccination programme in the SSE Arena. 

Congratulations

            Councillors Ferguson, McAllister and O’Hara congratulated Array Studios and Collective on its recent Turner Prize nomination and requested that the incoming Lord Mayor write to the group to offer congratulations and wish them luck in the competition.  The Lord Mayor acceded to pass the request on to the incoming Lord Mayor.

            Councillor Lyons congratulated Queen’s University on the establishment of the Michael and Edna Longley scholarship in creative writing.

            Cllr Brooks, along with several other Members, congratulated Linfield Football Club on their recent success, winning their 44th Irish Cup and 55th Irish League title, a world record equalling achievement.  The Lord Mayor agreed to pass the request to host a reception for David Healy and his team, to congratulate them on their achievements, to the incoming Lord Mayor.

            Councillor Bunting requested that the Lord Mayor send a letter of congratulations to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, on the village of Hillsborough receiving Royal Status, The Lord Mayor agreed to pass the request to the incoming Lord Mayor.

Expressions of Sympathy

            Councillors Maskey and Ferguson expressed their condolences to the family of local musician, Rab McCullough, following his recent death.

            The Chief Executive reminded the Council that, at the Annual Council meeting on 21st May, 2019, the Council decided on the political parties that would be entitled to hold the Positions of Responsibility for each year of the 4-year Term and that Year 3 of the Council Term was to commence forthwith.

            She recommended that Council appoint the nominated Members, as identified by the Nominating Officers of the political parties concerned, to the Positions of Responsibility for Year 3 of the Council Term as outlined below:

Civic Dignitaries

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee

City Growth and Regeneration Committee

People and Communities Committee

Licensing Committee

Planning Committee

Brexit Committee

Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd Shareholders’ Committee

            The Council agreed to appoint the Positions of Responsibility for Year 3 of the Council term, as set out above.

            The Chief Executive reminded the Council that it had, earlier in the meeting, approved the Positions of Responsibility for 2021/2022 and that Councillor Nicholl had been nominated to serve as Lord Mayor.

            Accordingly, Councillor Nicholl was installed in Office for the period to end on the date of the annual meeting of the Council in 2022 and she subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

            Councillor Nicholl thanked her Political Party for nominating her to serve as Lord Mayor, she outlined her main priorities for the forthcoming year and paid tribute to the previous Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor for the manner in which they had carried out their duties.

(The Lord Mayor, Councillor Nicholl, in the Chair.)

            The Council was again reminded that earlier in the meeting Alderman Haire had, under the Positions of Responsibility for 2021/2022, been nominated to serve as Deputy Lord Mayor.

            Accordingly, Alderman Haire was installed in Office for the period to end on the date of the annual meeting of the Council in 2022 and he subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.    

            Alderman Haire paid tribute to the previous Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, thanked his Political Party for nominating him to serve as Deputy Lord Mayor and outlined his main objectives for his term in office.

(The Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Haire, in the Chair.)

The Chief Executive drew the Council’s attention to a report which identified the following persons who had been nominated by the Nominating Officer of each Political Party to the Council’s Standing Committees for 2021/2022:

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee

City Growth and Regeneration Committee

People and Communities Committee

Licensing Committee