Agenda and minutes

            An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor McDowell.

            The minutes of the meeting of the 14th and 28th June were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd July.

            The Committee also noted that the decision under Belfast 2024 of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 26th June, had been amended by the Council at its meeting on 3rd July which impacted the City Growth and Regeneration Committee decision of 14th June.

            In relation to item 6.c) Major Events Update, Councillor McCabe declared an interest, in that she was employed by Féile an Phobail.

            The Chairperson declared an interest regarding item 6.c) Major Events Update, in that she was a Board Member of An tOireachtas and left the meeting whilst the item was being considered.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development introduced the following report for Members consideration:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1             The purpose of this report is to:

·        Update Members on the Renewed Ambition Public - Private Partnership 2022 / 2023 programme; and proposed 2023 / 2024 programme of work aimed at attracting inclusive investment for the delivery of regeneration, infrastructure and a modern built environment for Belfast and wider City Region.

·        Seek approval to extend the Council’s involvement in the Partnership Programme for 2023 / 2024 and contribution as part of a wider public-private approach.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1

i.       Note the presentation from representatives from the Renewed Ambition Partnership Taskforce, a public private sector partnership, aimed at attracting inclusive investment for the delivery of regeneration, infrastructure and a modern built environment for Belfast and wider City Region. The presentation provides an update on the 22 / 23 programme of work and the proposed approach to the 23 / 24 Programme.

ii.      Approve that Officers continue to support the 23 / 24 programme including governance processes, administering programme funded expenditure and entering into associated contracts on behalf of and with oversight from the Taskforce, and in line with Council’s procurement processes.

iii.    Approve the Council investment (from existing and approved City Regeneration and Development Budget) as part of the wider public private partnership contribution towards the delivery of the 23 / 24 Programme.

iv.    Approve attendance of Senior Officers at the proposed New York Real Estate Investment Showcase as part of the 23 / 24 programme, subject to event plans being sufficiently progressed and support from wider city partners, noting that it will be funded from the wider public private Renewed Ambition Partnership budget.

v.      Approve attendance by the Chairperson of the Committee, or their nominee, along with Senior Officers as appropriate at MIPIM 2024, noting that it will be funded from the wider public private Renewed Ambition Partnership budget.

3.0       Background

3.1       Members will recall that the Committee agreed in June 2023 to receive a presentation from the Renewed Ambition Partnership (RAP) Taskforce to update Members on the 2022 / 2023 programme; and proposed 2023 / 2024 programme of work, including priority issues and objectives for the Partnership moving forward.

3.2       The Renewed Ambition Partnership (RAP) is a joint public-private initiative that is delivering a programme of work aimed at ensuring Belfast is positioned to continue to attract investment to underpin regeneration, development and infrastructure activities in the city required to deliver our inclusive growth ambitions.

3.3       The Renewed Ambition Partnership is supported by public, private and key anchor institution partners. Partners comprise of Belfast City Council, all BRCD partner Councils, Invest NI, Belfast Harbour, Translink, Housing Association representation, the local development community and representatives from key city infrastructure, regeneration and development projects.

3.4       In terms of context setting, it is relevant to highlight to Members that the Council have been supporting a public private sector approach to ensuring Belfast is positioned to attract inclusive investment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The information contained in the report associated with the following four items was 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 four items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Committee was provided with an update on the Vacant to Vibrant Grant Programme and the recommendations from the Vacant to Vibrant assessment panel.

            During discussion, one Member highlighted that a copy of the boundary map of the City Centre used for the Programme would be useful.  A Member also noted the positive impact the initiative was making in terms of rates and employment.

            The Committee:

·        Noted the update in relation to the city centre Vacant to Vibrant pilot capital grant scheme;

·        Agreed to the recommended grant awards as outlined within Section 3.9 of the report; and

·        Agreed to the recommended proposal that applications for Grant 3 (meanwhile/pop up) at £2,500 are approved by the Director of City Regeneration and Development under the Scheme of Delegation and reported to the Committee at a future date.

            The Committee was provided with an overview on the Council’s Grey to Green, Active Travel Enablers and South-West Quarter Revitalisation delivery projects as previously approved by the Committee in October 2022.

            During discussion, in relation to the additional covered cycle locations listed under 3.16 of the report, the Development Manager confirmed that the Better Gym at Connswater could also be placed on the list of back up sites, subject to assessment.

            After discussion, the Committee:

                                I.     Noted the update regarding the Grey to Green City Centre Fund grant, Active Travel Enablers Project grant and DfC South West Quarter funding;

                               II.     Approved the recommended funding agreements contained within the report, specifically:

a.       The Grey to Green Grants as included within item 3.7 of the report

b.       the Grey to Green Business Improvement District (BID) led interventions as included within item 3.8 of the report

c.       The Secure Cycle Parking grants within item 3.14 of the report and the additional covered cycle locations within item 3.16 of the report

                             III.     Noted the work ongoing on the South West Quarter Project and the Funding Agreement with the Linen Quarter BID to deliver the DfC funded element of the project; and

                            IIII.     Noted the upcoming All Party Round Table to discuss the Connectivity, Active and Sustainable Travel workstreams across Council, would be rescheduled to an alternative date and evening time.

            The Director of Economic Development outlined the proposal which sought approval to re-locate the two elephants currently at Belfast Zoo.

After discussion, the Committee:

·        Approved the transfer of the elephants to Burgers Zoo. In tandem with this, work would continue on a long-term development plan for the zoo which would consider not only the physical development of the zoo but also its collection. Regular reports would be brought to the Committee to seek a direction as this work progressed.; and

·        Agreed that a Zoo audit would be undertaken in relation to standards management of its collection and submitted to a future Committee for consideration.

            The Committee considered the Quarter 4 financial position for the City Growth and Regeneration Committee including a forecast of the year end outturn.

            The Committee noted the report and the associated financial reporting pack.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            To update Committee on the ongoing DfC Covid-19 Revitalisation Programme including an Extension of Time to the Programme and the budget position. 

2.0       Recommendations

            The Committee is asked to:

                                             I.        Note the current status of the DfC Covid-19 Revitalisation Programme, including the findings of the Final Programme Evaluation Report.

                                           II.        Note that an Extension of Time has been sought for the ‘Castle Place Kiosk’.

                                          III.        Note the budget position across the project lines.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Background

            The CG&R Committee have received regular updates and provided approvals relating to the DfC Covid-19 Revitalisation Programme, providing updates on the £4.039m capital programme including providing approvals on time and budget implications. In August 2022 Members were provided with the mid-term Evaluation Report & the associated brochure along with an update on the remaining projects of the Castle Place Kiosk and the Entries Phase 2. It was also previously agreed that any further underspends realised within the Programme are reallocated under delegated authority to the Director of City Regeneration & Development to meet any additional costs incurred on previously agreed and committed projects with updates on these reallocations to be brought to this Committee at a future date.

3.2       Main Report

            The majority of the programme is now complete, with the Entries Phase 2 project to be completed by September 2023 in line with the DfC Letter of Offer Process. As a condition of the Letter of Offer from DfC Evaluation Reports are required on a quarterly basis, and on the completion of the projects. A Summary of the draft Final Evaluation Report is included within this paper.

·        87% of People agreed that they were satisfied with the interventions taken by the council to respond to safety issues raised by the Covid-19 pandemic

·        90% of participating businesses reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the improvements to their businesses.

·        79% survey respondents agreed/strongly agreed that improvements undertaken through the programme would encourage people to live, work and invest in this area

·        76% of businesses (64 of 84 respondents) reported turnover returning to at least 70% of pre-Covid 19 levels following council interventions in the area.

3.3       In total through this Revitalisation Programme the Council were able to support and deliver a large range of projects, many of which were aligned to the emerging Bolder Vision work promoting better use of outdoor and public space, testing alternative uses of streetscape and providing creative approaches to environmental improvement works. A summary overview of the projects delivered below:

·        Grants to Businesses to purchase equipment to help them to continue to trade or trade safely

o   Over £800k in support to 454 small business grants to help SME’s to deliver hand sanitisers, signage, safety equipment & control measures to manage social distancing;

·        Grants to Business Cluster and Community Groups for physical interventions and streetscape improvements

o   £1.1m to 51 Business Cluster & Community Grant (BCCCG) capital schemes. This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

            The Committee was provided with an overview of the correspondence which had been received from the Department for Infrastructure in response to the following issues which the Committee had raised:

·        Follow-Up Correspondence in relation to the Eastern Division Autumn Statement Nov 2022 (copy available here); and

·        Correspondence in relation to the York Street Interchange Place Making and Active Travel Review (copy available here).

            During discussion, in response to Members concerns in relation to the lack of delivery of the Belfast Cycle Network, the Director of City Regeneration and Development explained further the ongoing engagement with the Department for Infrastructure and suggested that all of the issues could be discussed at the forthcoming All Party Round Table on Connectivity, Active and Sustainable Travel.

            The Committee:

i.                  Noted the correspondence between the Committee and the Department for Infrastructure in relation to the Eastern Division Autumn Report 2022;

ii.                Noted the correspondence between the Committee and the Department for Infrastructure in relation to the York Street Interchange Place Making and Active Travel Review; and

iii.               Noted that the issues raised in relation to the delivery of the Cycle Network would be discussed further at the All Party Round Table on Connectivity, Active and Sustainable Travel.

            The Committee was provided with an update on the new Enterprise Support Service – the regional initiative to support business start-up and growth that would be led by the Council on behalf of the 11 councils. 

            The Committee was reminded that, at the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in February, it had been agreed that Belfast City Council should lead on the submission of an application to UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for the 11-council Enterprise Support Service model. It had also been agreed that, subject to additional due diligence and risk management work being undertaken, Belfast City Council should lead on the future development and delivery of the service on behalf of the 11 councils.

            It was reported that, since that time, a significant amount of work had been taking place to finalise the detail of the programme content, start the commissioning process of the new service and set in place the delivery structures so that it could become operational from Autumn 2023.

            The Committee was reminded that the service represented the councils’ collective response to its statutory responsibility – set out as part of Local Government Reform in 2015 – for business start-up, social enterprise and entrepreneurship for specific target groups such as women and young people.  Previously, the majority of the targets associated with the statutory responsibility were delivered through the Go for It programme.  However, over time, the funding available for Go for It had been reduced significantly to the extent that it provided limited support for new start businesses and those target groups.  Councils recognised the need for a more ambitious response so they had commissioned research from the Enterprise Research Centre at Aston Business School which identified a new model and associated targets that could create a much more dynamic business base across the region. 

            The Committee was advised that the enhanced support service would provide a continuum of support from early-stage enterprise awareness through to starting, growing and scaling a business.  The concept was that the service would help people get the right support at the right time – and would also help maximise other available funding streams by helping businesses to navigate the complex support ecosystem. 

            In order to fund the scaled-up intervention, officers had identified the opportunity presented through the new Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).  This was the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) fund that was established as a replacement for EU funding (ERDF and ESF).  One strand of funding focused on “Supporting Local Business”.  The Investment Plan for UKSPF in Northern Ireland was launched in December 2022.  At that time, the Plan proposed that a central component of the Supporting Local Business strand would be the 11 council Enterprise Support Service.  An indicative financial allocation of £17million - £12 million programme delivery and £5million for small grants – was set aside for the service.  It was reported that UKSPF funding was available until March 2025 so the initial programme period would run from Autumn 2023 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

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 provide an update on progress to develop and deliver the Belfast Business Promise, as a key commitment in the Council’s Inclusive Growth Strategy and undertaken in partnership with Economic Development and Strategy, Policy and Partnership.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

i.       Note the progress in relation to the development of the Belfast Business Promise

ii.      Note the ongoing development work to support a successful implementation process including:

·        Organisations who are operating as Partners to support implementation

·        Organisations who have signed up to become member

·        Approach to accreditation

·        Internal support to deliver

·        BCC approach to gaining membership as an organisation

3.0       Main report

3.1       Background

            A key commitment in the Council’s Inclusive Growth strategy to create a more inclusive city is the co-creation of the Belfast Business Promise which is our inclusive growth city charter.  Members will be aware that a cross council team, led by the Strategy, Policy and Partnership in partnership with Economic Development, has been progressing the development of the Belfast Business Promise, alongside an external business working group and the council’s Social Policy Working Group (SPWG). In addition, strong relationships have been built with the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter and Scottish Business Pledge Charter teams, providing a wealth of best practice information and learning.

3.2       The extensive engagement with organisations, services and businesses carried out to date has shown that there is a strong appetite for such an initiative, and its role in encouraging organisations to maintain and/or adopt high standards in relation to more inclusive business practices which bring about added value to society by proactively driving forward inclusive growth in a meaningful way. The commitment to bringing forward the Belfast Business Promise is reinforced within the refreshed Belfast Agenda, the draft BCC Economic Strategy, the Inclusive Growth Strategy and the work being taken forward by the Renewed Ambition Taskforce and Bolder Vision Strategy.

3.3       Belfast Business Promise is aligned to and complements other strands of work underway within council including the Anchor Network on Commissioning and Procurement; BCC Social Value Policy and Framework; Social Enterprise Action Plan and BCC Employment Academies.

3.4       There is a real opportunity through the implementation of the Belfast Business Promise to achieve our aim of creating a stronger, more resilient, and fairer city economy and society for Belfast with inclusive economic participation. The Belfast Business Promise membership and network offers a real opportunity to promote the city’s aspirations and engage more widely with local businesses and organisations, working in collaboration towards becoming a more inclusive city. 

3.5       Progress to date

            Pledges

            The Belfast Business Promise is a business commitment to support the city’s inclusive growth mission by signing up to a number of underpinning pledges around business practices. Organisations are able to use the process to benchmark against eight pledges and gain support from the Belfast Business Promise community and network to continually  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee was reminded that Belfast had been a member of the Eurocities network for almost 30 years.  Eurocities was a network of more than 200 major European cities, across 38 countries, made up of the elected local and municipal governments of the major cities. The activity of the network was structured through a number of thematic working areas, including Cultural Development, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Placemaking and Sustainability.  Belfast had participated in a number of the groups, based on particular areas of need or interest to the council and the city at that time, and had also shared learning on a range of topics and had availed of the network to engage with the key EU institutions in order to influence policy. 

            The Director of Economic Development advised that, whilst the city had limited access to the transnational funds due to its withdrawal from the EU, this network was still nevertheless important in positioning the city and building strong networks to support shared learning and collaboration. 

            Within Belfast City Council, there were a number of areas in which officers had been engaged and which remained priority areas of focus.  These included:

·        Developing an innovative city – link to the Smart Belfast agenda and the work on the Innovation District;

·        Transitioning to a net zero and greener economy – link to the work on resilience and climate change, with a focus on developing collaborative activity and accessing new research and insights;

·        Internationalising Belfast’s cultural proposition – learning from FDI and city positioning work, particularly in post-Covid world; and

·        Cultural development and city animation – exploring the role of culture as a driver for city development – including both capital infrastructure and innovative programming.

            The Director of Economic Development pointed out that, in 2024, Belfast was due to hold the annual meeting of the Eurocities Culture Forum in September.  The Council’s bid to hold the event recognised the value of Belfast as a cultural capital and would present another opportunity to position and promote the city during this year of cultural celebration.  He explained that Belfast had last hosted the Eurocities Culture Forum meeting in March 2014.  During that event, more than 70 representatives from 58 cities attended to find out more about Belfast’s work in this space.  It presented a great opportunity to shine a light on the city itself but also on the rich cultural and artistic talent.

            He suggested that, taking into account the planned event in 2024 and the wider learning and opportunities presented by our engagement in the Eurocities network, it was proposed that the Council renewed its annual membership of the network for this year.

            During discussion, the Director of Economic Development explained further the potential economic benefits of remaining a Member of the Programme.

            After discussion, the Committee:

·        Approved the renewal of Belfast City Council’s membership of the Eurocities network, at a cost of €16,300 for one year; and

·        Agreed that a report be submitted to the Committee in relation to the future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       At this committee in June 2023 members were presented with options relating to the Belfast Christmas light switch on and potential follow-on activity across the city. During discussion at that meeting members directed officers to submit a report to a future meeting regarding the potential for Christmas events and lighting on arterial routes across the city.

            This report provides information in relation to that request from elected members.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       It is recommended that Members note the following,

-       The provision of festive lighting and animation on arterial routes would require additional investment and lead time, and therefore it is not possible to provide this additional programme for Christmas 2023

-       Future Christmas event programming on arterial routes could be supported via an existing Council funding scheme such as the Community Festivals Fund, or Vibrant Business Destinations may be the most suitable.

-       The increase in costs outlined at 3.2 coupled with council’s static budget is likely to mean that the current city centre festive lighting scheme will need to be scaled back for 2023.

3.0       Main report

3.1       At March Committee, Members were advised that Christmas Lighting Scheme in 2022 was year 3 of the existing Christmas Lighting Scheme. Feedback on the scheme was positive, however, there were additional requests to consider an extension of the scheme to include arterial routes. Further discussion took place at the City Growth and Regeneration Committee held on 14th June 2023. Officers were asked to consider further the feasibility of such an extension.

3.2       The installation, storage and maintenance of our festive lighting scheme is managed through a third party that was appointed via a public procurement process. This contract is currently due for renewal and the supplier has indicated that they have seen significant cost increases relating to insurance, energy costs and labour costs. The budget for the Christmas Festive Lighting Scheme has remained unchanged in the last five years and the Economic Development division have no additional budget available to fund the expansion of the lighting scheme. In addition, we have previously had access to an additional non-recurrent budget, given council’s financial pressures this has not been allocated this financial year.

3.3       In previous years additional funding was allocated via council non-recurrent budget that allowed additional features to be added to our lighting scheme. We also previously received funding from DfC revitalisation funding that allowed us to distribute monies via a funding programme to business clusters on arterial routes for them to produce some Christmas related activity.

3.4       Given councils current financial pressures and reduced levels of budget within Executive Department budgets it is not currently possible for officers to secure the additional budget that would be required for any additional activity on arterial routes.

3.5       The aforementioned increase in costs coupled with council’s static budget is likely to mean that the current city centre scheme will need to be scaled back by as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee was provided with an update on the dedicated programme of work and funding scheme to support artist-led organisations in the city.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in February 2022, it had been agreed to open a new funding scheme for artist led organisations to provide financial and development support for this sector. In April 2023, it had been agreed to continue this support for the second consecutive year and £100,000 had been allocated to support Artist Studios and Makers Spaces in 2023/24.

            The Senior Manager - Culture and Tourism advised that the “Artist Studios and Maker Spaces Organisational Grants 2023/24” programmewas opened on 9th June and closed on 27th June. She highlighted that the purpose of this strand of work was to provide financial and developmental support to organisations similar to the support offered under cultural multi-annual grants (CMAG).

            She explained that the Artist Studios and Maker Spaces Organisational Grants 2023/24 scheme was advertised widely. The information and application details were emailed directly to a GDPR compliant mailing list representing over 370 organisations from across the cultural and creative sectors alongside associated social media marketing.  An online information session was held in advance of the deadline, as well as organisations availing of one-to-one support sessions with the Culture Development team.

            In relation to the Criteria for Decision making, the Senior Manager - Culture and Tourism summarised the criteria and guidance for Artist Studios and Maker Spaces Organisational Grants 2023/24, together with the assessments of the applications. She highlighted that the unit had received 12 applications, one of which was ineligible, for Artist Studios and Maker Spaces Organisational Grants, requesting a total of £197,886. The percentage of funding allocated was based on scoring percentage.  She advised that the recommendation was to fund 10 organisations, with support of £100,000.

            The Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed to the recommendations for artist studio grants, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(Councillor Duffy in the Chair)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on the Major Events programme, including:

·        Belfast Maritime Festival

·        St Patrick’s Day 2024-2026 Tender

·        One Young World

·        an update on the bid for the Fleadh Cheoil na h’Eireann

·        an update regarding the UK and Ireland bid to host the European Football Championships in 2028

·        Antrim Coast & Belfast - Northern Ireland Official Bid - World Road Running Championships 2025 – 2026

·        Approve officers working with DfC to understand the requirements of a future bid for the Oireachtas na Samhna festival in 2025/26. With future reports coming back to this committee prior to any binding bid being submitted.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       It is recommended that Members:

·        Note the update on the Belfast Maritime Festival.

·        Note the contents of the update on St Patrick’s Day including the procurement approach for 2024-2026

·        Note the update on One Young World

·        Note and approve support for One Young World Delegates under the 2024 programme development strand.

·        Note the update on the bid for the Fleadh Cheoil,

·        Note the update regarding the UK and Ireland bid to host the European Football Championships in 2028

·        Note the request for support for the World Road Running Championships 2025 – 2026 and the proposal for officers to provide a non-binding letter indicating a road closure application will be submitted if the bid is successful

3.0       Main report

3.1       Belfast Maritime Festival

            This year’s ‘Belfast Maritime Festival’ will be held on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September 2023, 11am – 6pm, in the Titanic Quarter with a programme that stretches from Queens Quay to HMS Caroline/Titanic Distillers. The aim is to create an inclusive event that appeals to all demographics celebrating all that is good and creative about Belfast, at an accessible location in the city highlighting our current tourism, heritage, culture, and maritime offering and showcasing our existing landmarks.

            The event is coordinated and implemented under a governance structure with key working groups reporting to the Programme Board, which consists of senior representatives from Council, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Maritime Belfast Trust.

3.1.1    The draft programme includes:

·        An interactive kid’s zone at the front of the SSE, adjacent to Queens Quay which will host several visiting vessels including Granuaile, the Grace O’Malley, and both the Royal Navy and Irish Navy

·        Street Theatre in the Arc, with further visiting vessels within Abercorn Marina

·        The area around Hamilton Dock (the Nomadic) will host traditional shipbuilding displays and a large-scale community co-design photography project, delivered in partnership with Maritime Belfast Trust.

·        The Titanic Slipways will be a hive of activity, hosting the Belfast Bazaar - food and craft markets – and the unique ‘Science Street’ curated for the festival by NI Science Festival

·        Music is a core element of the festival, and the Slipways will be the location for the main stage, hosting a full day of artists.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report and associated appendix:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       At a meeting of City Growth and Regeneration Committee in December 2022, members agreed the music strategy, ‘Music Matters: A Roadmap for Belfast’ including its corresponding priorities.  The purpose of this report is to seek approval to the allocation of funding to a number of important strands of the music strategy.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

-       Note the contents of this report and the progress made against areas of the music strategy, ‘Music Matters: A Roadmap for Belfast’

-       Agree the actions for remainder of 2023/24 as set out in the report and in Appendix 1 including budget implications to be met from existing departmental budgets. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       At a meeting of City Growth and Regeneration Committee in December 2022, members agreed the final ‘Music Matters: A Roadmap for Belfast’. Mirroring A City Imagining cultural strategy the music strategy has 4 strategic themes, each having 4 strategic priorities. There are a number of actions and recommendations given for each priority catering to many areas of need across the music sector.

3.2       UNESCO Music delivery is funded from existing recurring and non-recurring departmental funds. At the meeting of the Special Policy and Resources Committee in April 2021, members agreed an allocation of resources to the delivery of the music strategy. £900k has been allocated towards City of Music and the Music Strategy for delivery on key developmental activities across 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively. 

3.3       In April 2023, members approved a range of initiatives to progress elements of the music strategy.  In June 2023, members received an update on current initiatives and approved additional actions.  Within both papers, there are a range of pre-existing commitments for the remaining financial year which are now progressing at pace.  These include;

-       The Pipeline Investment Fund for music venues

-       The creation of a digital music support service and marketing channels

-       The Music Industry Mentoring Programme for 2023/24

-       Continuation of Gradam Ceoil bursaries

-       Expansion of the Output Conference, Ireland’s biggest one-day music conference and live music showcase

-       The City of Music Industry Sessions

-       Support for international exchanges with other UNESCO Cities of Music, namely Hannover, Germany and London, Ontario Canada

-       A micro-grant programme, available to individual musicians, to assist with costs incurred within their art form

3.4       In June 2023, members also received an update on the recruitment and selection of the Belfast Region Music Board comprising of 25 members, to bring to life the UNESCO City of Music designation.  The board has been meeting monthly since April 2023 to map further initiatives to roll out in this financial year and beyond. 

3.5       The Belfast Region Music Board met in June and July 2023 to agree a detailed and profiled delivery plan, containing initiatives to address a range of areas, most necessary to fulfil during the remainder of the financial year.  These initiatives and associated budgets are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

            The Committee considered the draft Council responses to the Department for the Economy (DfE) and Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) consultation on their 2023-24 budget.

            It was reported that, to meet the early deadline for the DfI consultation, Council officers had submitted a draft response for the DfI consultation on 12th June (as attached at Appendix 2) stating that the submission was subject to approval by the Committee and ratification by the Council. DfI was informed that, should any changes be made at the Committee or Council meeting, it would be provided with an updated submission. This draft was also circulated to Party Group Leaders in June via email, with no requests for changes being received.

            The DfE consultation response had not yet been submitted. It would be submitted following feedback and approval of the Committee, again with the proviso of full approval or further changes following the Council meeting on 4th September.

            DfI state that their budget would be reduced by 0.4% when compared to their 2022-23 budget. However, they stated that, in real terms, the reductions represented a 14% cut in its resource budget, which would require £167m of savings.

            The draft response in Appendix 2, comments on these specific proposals and also answers the general areas where DfI requested feedback.

            In contrast, DfE have only provided an overview of their proposed budget reductions. The draft response ( Appendix 1) therefore focused on the general areas where DfE had requested feedback.

            The Committee approved the draft responses for formal submission as outlined in Appendices 1 and 2.