Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meetings of the Committee of 8th and 22nd September were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 4th October.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The Chairperson drew the Committee’s attention to correspondence which had been received from the Private Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure, in response to the Committee’s request to the Minister  to reiterate the need for working in support of investment into the required protected cycle lane network and to support the future roll out of the Belfast Bikes Scheme, extending its reach and accessibility throughout the city.

            The Members of the Committee noted the correspondence.

            The information contained in the report associated with the following three 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 three 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 Director of City Regeneration and Development reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 8th September, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) attended the meeting and presented the three shortlisted options which had been identified for public consultation and engagement, to link north and south Belfast:

1.      O’Neill Road via Antrim Road to Cairnshill;

2.      Longwood Road via Shore Road to Cairnshill; and

3.      O’Neill Road via Shore Road to Cairnshill.

            She pointed out that the public consultation period had been set from 26th July to 4th October, however, for the Council to share an agreed response to the Public Consultation an extension had been granted to the submission of the response until ratified by Council on the 1st November 2021.

            After discussion, it was:

            Moved by Alderman Kingston,

            Seconded by Councillor Hussey,

      That the Members of the Committee agree that the Council response to the BRT Phase 2 Public Consultation would support the Shore Road route option (Shore Road to O’Neill Road), incorporating that the Council was not supportive of the introduction of a two-way system and associated adjacent halts in Donegall Place.

Amendment

            Moved by Councillor Maskey,

            Seconded by Councillor McLaughlin,

      That the Council response to the BRT Phase 2 Public Consultation would support the Antrim Road route option with the proviso that, it incorporated, that the Council was not supportive of the introduction of a two-way system and associated adjacent halts in Donegall Place.

            On a vote, 14 Members voted for the amendment, and five against and it was declared carried.

            The amendment was thereupon put to the meeting as the substantive motion and passed.

            The Members of the Committee:

•        Noted that DfI had agreed to grant an extension to the consultation response until after the Council meeting of the 1st November to enable full Council to consider any response the Council may wish to make;

•        Agreed that the Council response would support the delivery of the BRT Phase 2, and recognise the significant importance of the investment in terms of addressing climate change, delivering modal shift and connecting people with opportunities and amenities, and alignment with key policy and strategy documents;

•        Agreed that, regardless of the selected North route, that the unsuccessful route would still be viewed as a primary public transport corridor with bus priority infrastructure, low or zero carbon vehicles, ticketless systems, feeder services and P&R facilities, and recommended that high quality connections to Glengormley are delivered;

•        Agreed that the Council response would support the South preferred route and recommend that the Ravenhill Road was treated as a priority active travel corridor connecting a dense population in South Belfast with the Ormeau Park Gasworks Bridge and dedicated cycle infrastructure into the city centre;

•        Agreed that the Bankmore link, as a dedicated sustainable and active travel corridor, would be supported by Council, and requested that DfI work with Council to optimise the route and regeneration potential of this corridor;

•        Agreed that the Council response would identify the failure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Senior Manager for Culture and Tourism provided the Members with an update on the ongoing development of city events as part of the 10-year cultural strategy, A City Imagining and on the progress against the new approach to St Patrick’s Day from 2022.

            Following discussion, the Committee noted the content of the report and agreed to approve four creative development awards for St Patrick’s Day 2020.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development provided the Committee with an update on a programme of work to address the rising number of vacant premises in the city centre, in multiple locations, including long established and resilient streets.

            The Committee agreed to:

•        Note the emerging programme of work to address the increasing number of vacant premises across the city centre, including ongoing data gathering and analysis;

•        Note the refresh of the ’Retail and Leisure Proposition’ for the City Centre to provide an updated overview of the city centre’s performance in terms of retail and leisure-based occupiers and trends, together with evidence-based recommendations;

•        Note the planned appointment of a commercial agent to assist with a pilot ‘matchmaking’ service to align potential business/occupier interest with suitable properties and to assist with the recommendations from the ‘Retail & Leisure Proposition’;

•        Note ongoing work regarding targeted strategic acquisitions including the update on 2 Royal Avenue; and

•        Approve the development and delivery of a pilot Vacancy Grant Programme to be rolled out over two years.

            The Committee further agreed to extend the programme to include arterial routes.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is provide the Committee with an outline of the proposed approach to supporting local business associations to develop and deliver interventions that will drive footfall and create vibrancy in those areas. 

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to:

·        Note and agree the approach to accessing funding to support the delivery of area-based support for local business associations to increase vibrancy and drive footfall in anticipation of a go-live date in early November 2021.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware of the ongoing challenges faced by local businesses as a result of COVID-19. The specific impact on the city centre has already been the subject of significant discussion and while there is some research to suggest that businesses outside of the city centre may not have been affected to the same extent, it is clear that retail and hospitality businesses in particular across the board have suffered as a result of the successive lockdowns. 

3.2       The council has supported local business associations over many years, but the drive from these groups does tend to vary at different times.  Over recent months, we have seen a significant increase in interest from a number of existing business associations across the city, as well as the establishment of new business associations.  While the needs vary from area to area, they generally involve environmental improvements (additional planting, improvements to open space), creation of seating areas/new focal points, animation, cultural programming, events and local promotion activities. 

3.3       Within the existing departmental budget, there is some limited financial provision to support business associations, but it is clear that many of the activities identified above could not be accommodated within this spend. 

3.4       Given the feedback from the businesses, we have been engaging with relevant teams across the council to consider how we can establish a streamlined process of support for the organisations.  We have also had some preliminary engagement with the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to explore whether they may be able to provide financial resources to extend the budget provision.  The engagement of the departments is also critical, given the need to engage with them in order to progress many of the interventions in the public realm.     

3.5       DfC has identified a potential opportunity to secure resources through their Revitalisation programme (subject to application and internal businesses case).  This support is in keeping with the work recently undertaken by the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), which DfC have sponsored, in developing a ‘Living High Street Toolkit’.  This toolkit is premised on building capacity within the high street business and community sectors of towns and neighbourhood centres (such as the arterial routes) and viewed through the lens of a combined economic, physical regeneration and environmental perspective. It is, however, very much based on building the capacity within the business communities to identify and take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

            The Director of Economic Development reminded the Committee that the Council, at its meeting on 4th October, had considered the following motion which had been proposed by Councillor de Faoite and seconded by Councillor Smyth:

“Belfast City Council:

                         i.      Recognises the profound impact of the pandemic on the city’s nightlife, music, arts and entertainment sectors and the night-time economy and acknowledges the actions of Council Officers to support a managed return of Belfast’s nightlife in difficult circumstances;

                       ii.      Further recognises that, for many residents and visitors, Belfast at night may not feel safe or welcoming at present due to changes in behaviour and the use of space over the last 18 months;

                      iii.      Believes significant night-time challenges existed prior to COVID-19, including issues around licensing, policing, public safety, diversity, organisational and venue capacity, public transit and sustainability;

                      iv.      Further believes that the establishment of a vibrant, diverse and sustainable nightlife between 6pm and 6am will help us meet the objectives set out in the Belfast Agenda, including encouraging city centre living and creating a vibrant, well-connected environment for people to enjoy;

                       v.      Seeks to create a nightlife for the City which is inclusive of young people, women, LGBT+ people and ethnic minorities;

                      vi.      Believes that this work to establish Belfast’s nightlife takes on a new urgency following the pandemic;

                    vii.      Notes that several cities have chosen to establish a nightlife co-ordinator including Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Washington D.C., New York, Paris, Zurich, Toulouse and Mannheim;

                   viii.     Shall convene a one day roundtable discussion about the future of Belfast’s nightlife and the immediate challenges posed in the city between 6pm and 6am, with Elected Members, relevant Executive Ministers and political representatives, trade unions, public and private transport providers, artists, event organisers, venue owners, industry and consumer representatives, student unions, Belfast City Youth Council and non-profit organisations, including but not limited to Reclaim The Night, the Rainbow Project, Women’s Aid and the SOS Bus; and

                      ix.      Agrees to establish a co-ordinator for Belfast’s nightlife or “Night Mayor” who will co-ordinate the work of the Council and relevant partners in developing and promoting the city’s nightlife and night-time economy following the roundtable discussion.”

            He pointed out that, in accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the Motion was referred without discussion to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

            Councillor de Faoite addressed the Committee and referred to the Belfast Agenda.  He stated that it did not mention the nightlife economy and that it should include a focus on Belfast City nightlife and the nighttime economy.  He added that the Council, as city leaders, should take the time to bring interested partners and stakeholders together to establish clear parameters and appoint a champion to lead on that work.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor Hussey,

            Seconded by Alderman Kingston,

      That Committee agrees that, in advance of a report on how the Motion would be facilitated, resourced and managed, officers would establish the feasibility and interest in convening a roundtable discussion and the creation of a Night Mayor.

            On  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Director of Economic Development reminded the Committee that the Council, at its meeting on 4th October, considered the following motion which had been proposed by Councillor Murphy and seconded by Councillor Black:

“This Council:

                      i.          Recognises the economic disruption caused to communities across the district caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency, periods of economic recession, and Tory austerity;

                     ii.          Further recognises long-standing economic problems in the District, including inequality, low-paid employment, poor rates of socially ineffective investment, deprivation, and unsustainable levels of carbon emissions and ecological damage;

                    iii.          Commends Minister Hargey's intention to establish a departmental advisory group to embed and deliver Community Wealth Building which centres on: a more just and fair labour market; an inclusive economy with a focus on growing and rebuilding the local economy; and ensuring land and property in our communities generates wealth for the people who live there.

Therefore, this council commits to developing a fully funded community wealth building framework with the purpose of democratising the economy by empowering community organisations, non-profits, social enterprise and cooperatives to be established or expanded with the ambition to create employment and grow local economies.”

            He pointed out that, in accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the Motion was referred without discussion to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

            The Committee agreed that a report on how the Motion would be facilitated, resourced and managed would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee.

            The Director of Economic Development reminded the Members that, at the City Growth and Regeneration Committee meeting on 12th May 2021, approval had been granted for a range of activities aimed at enhancing the level of business start-ups, growing existing businesses and supporting new investment in the city.

            He reported that, in partnership with Belfast Chamber of Commerce, the Council had undertaken a large-scale survey of Belfast businesses, which had been the first of a series of bi-annual surveys that would be undertaken, covering a minimum of 400 businesses each time.  He stated that the survey would act as a barometer of business sentiment to build intelligence on how businesses were performing, identify their immediate challenges and gauge the outlook and prospects of local companies.  He added that the findings would be used to inform and shape interventions by the Council and its partners to support business, employment and economic activity in the city.

            He outlined the key achievements in start-up, social enterprise and cooperatives, and business growth.

            The Director advised the Committee of the undernoted priorities for the following six months;

•        Working with the other councils, Invest NI and DfE to bring forward plans to revamp the approach to business start-up post-2023;

•        Continuing to deliver the Enterprise Pathway pilot, focusing on those furthest from the labour market;

•        Launch the Digital Transformation initiative in partnership with the 10 other councils across the region;

•        Build on support for Social Enterprises and Co-operatives by working with the procurement team to enable better access public procurement opportunities;

•        Working towards recognition of being a “Social Economy Place” – the first in Northern Ireland;

•        Delivering a new approach to support vibrant business destinations across the city by working with local business associations outside of the city centre;

•        Delivering on the strategy and action plan for the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor; and

•        Working with digital and innovation teams to increase the volume of SME engagement and support growth strategies for key sectors.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to:

•        Note the findings of the recent Belfast Business Survey which was to be undertaken every six months, in conjunction with the Belfast Chamber, and which will inform future areas of work;

•        Note the outcomes of the activities undertaken over the past six months, particularly in the areas of business start-up, growth and investment;

•        Note the planned activities in the coming months; and

•        To write to The Executive Office to request that consideration be given to setting up a co-operative development agency for Northern Ireland.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update members on a number of existing and planned interventions to improve skills and help people find a new or better job, focusing on key target groups and those furthest from the labour market. 

2.0       Recommendations

            The Members of the Committee are asked to,

·        Note the range of existing and planned interventions to improve skills and help people find a new or better job, focusing on key target groups and those furthest from the labour market

·        Note the job outcomes delivered by some of the key interventions

·        Note the planned activity for the coming months

·        Agree to join the RSA Cities of Learning network, making a financial contribution of £30,000 towards the programme of activity from November 2021.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware that the pandemic has had a significant on the economy of the city. 

            At its peak, more than 20,000 people in Belfast were on furlough and the claimant count numbers in the city more than doubled following the initial lockdown in March 2020.

3.2       As we emerge from the series of lockdowns and the remaining restrictions are gradually moved, the labour market is slowly improving.  However there is significant volatility with demand hugely outstripping supply in a number of sectors (tech and digital; logistics and health and social care) while other sectors are much more vulnerable (hospitality; retail).  This is borne out in the recent Belfast Business Survey which is covered in more detail in a separate report to the committee. 

3.3       A number of research reports have identified the fact that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on those who were already most vulnerable prior to COVID-19.  In labour market terms, this has meant that those who were already having difficulty in finding work slipped further back as those who had more recent experience or transferable skills moved into an already competitive jobs market. 

3.4       Despite the volatility, council officers have been working closely with our stakeholder partners and with employers in key sectors to support the delivery of a range of interventions to help those furthest from the labour market to find sustainable employment in those sectors where demand has remained strong or is beginning to recover.  This work has meant that, since April 2021, we have been able to bring 381 people on to our Employment Academy programmes across a range of sectors.  This level of demand – both from employers as well as those looking for a job or a better job – represents a significant increase on figures from previous years.  By way of example, in 2018/19, we supported around 500 people through Employment Academies over a full year – in a very buoyant economic climate.  A number of recent changes including an expansion of the Employability and Skills team and the introduction of a new, more flexible commissioning framework, means that we have been much better placed to respond  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development reported that Belfast had been shortlisted in the ‘City of the Year’ Award category in the 2021 Estates Gazette Future of Real Estate Awards which celebrated cities, advisers, investors and developers from the UK and beyond that were driving innovation, long-term thinking and future proofing in the built environment.

            She pointed out that the Belfast submission had highlighted how its young, vibrant and highly educated workforce, resilient infrastructure, strong civic leadership and city partnerships were priming Belfast for a positive economic future. 

            She advised the Members that the awards ceremony would take place in London on 28th October, 2021 and that, it was recommended that the Committee approve the attendance of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson or their nominees, plus one officer.

            The Committee agreed:

•        To note that Belfast had been shortlisted for a ‘City of the Year’ Award at the 2021 Estates Gazette Future of Real Estate Awards;

•        To approve the attendance of Committee Chair/Deputy Chair or nominees and one officer at the Estates Gazette Future of Real Estate Awards Ceremony, taking place 28 October in London, at a maximum cost of £1,750, subject to prevailing COVID restrictions; and

•        To dispense with call-in, to facilitate attendance at the event which had been scheduled to take place in advance of a meeting of full Council; and

•        That officers would bring a report back to a future meeting of the Committee outlining the actual costs associated with attendance at the Estates Gazette Future of Real Estate Awards Ceremony.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of the report is to provide Members with an update on community planning with a specific focus on the work being taken forward by the newly re-configured ‘Jobs, Skills and Education’ and ‘City Development’ Delivery Boards.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                             (i)          note the on-going work of the Belfast Agenda Jobs, Skills and Education delivery Board and the City Development delivery Board;

                                            (ii)          note the alignment and synergies between the Boards and the work of the Committee;

                                          (iii)          note the proposed transition of the City Stakeholder Group established to support planning and implementation of the DFC Revitalisation Programme to City Centre Delivery Group (as set out in para. 3.10-11 below)

                                          (iv)          note the ongoing opportunities for Elected Members to input and shape the work being taken forward through Community Planning Partnership, including the refresh of the Belfast Agenda and associated delivery plans, over the coming months/years. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       Background

            Members will recall that in order to ensure that the vision and ambitions set out within the Belfast Agenda (community plan for the city) translated into action and to secure the commitment from city partners in supporting delivery, four cross-sectoral delivery Boards have been formed (City Development | Jobs, Skills and Education | Living Here | Resilience and Sustainability) under the auspices of the

            Community Planning Partnership (CPP). These delivery focused Boards have been established to encourage and enable greater collaboration across partners to understand and and seek to address the challenges and priorities for the city and its communities. 

3.2       As reported to Committee in June 2021, CPP partners agreed to reconfigure two of the Boards to align priorities and maximise the synergies and impact of their work.  As highlighted, the focus of the two Boards – City Development and Jobs, Skills and Education – clearly aligns with the work of this Committee. Members will also recall the intention going forward to update the Committee on the work of the boards alongside specific engagement and input from elected Members and Parties through the All-Party Community Planning Working Group and Community Planning Partnership. Members should note that the newly reconfigured Boards met for the first time in April and May 2021 respectively as well as specific action planning workshop sessions to reaffirm priority areas of focus.  This report provides an update on these sessions and key activity underway through the Boards.

3.3       Jobs, Skills and Education Update

            Members will be aware of the ongoing review and refresh of the Belfast Agenda.  Since the launch of the review in September 2021, we have been continuing the conversation with our city partners, including our Delivery Boards, to examine and define the key challenges, opportunities and priorities for the city   for the period 2022-2026.  To help inform the new Belfast Agenda a co-production has been adopted with city partners and stakeholders and is being rolled out in three phases: i) a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.