Agenda and minutes

            An apology was reported on behalf of the Chairperson, Councillor Nelson.

            The minutes of the meeting of 5th February 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 March.

            Councillor O’Neill declared an interest in item 2a) ‘Visit Belfast’, as he was on the Board of Visit Belfast but as this was a Council appointment, he did not leave the meeting whilst the item was being considered.

            In relation to item 3a) ‘Vacant to Vibrant Scheme’, Councillor Duffy declared an interest in that his employer had submitted an application to the scheme and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration. Councillors R. McLaughlin and Black declared an interest in the same item, as they were Members of the West Belfast Partnership Board but as these were Council appointments, they did not leave the meeting whilst the item was being considered.

            Councillor R. Mclaughlin declared an interest in item 4a) ‘Response to the Department for Infrastructure Review of Trust Ports Consultation’, as he was on the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration.

            The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Mr. G. Lennon, Chief Executive, Visit Belfast, and Ms. M. McGivern, Chair, Visit Belfast, to the Committee and they were admitted to the meeting.           

            The Senior Manager, Culture and Tourism, advised the Committee that the Visit Belfast representatives were in attendance to present its annual funding request for 2025/26 and to set out its strategic development and operational delivery, focused on supporting tourism growth.

            She highlighted the continued growth within the tourism sector and that Belfast had hosted 1.7 million overnight trips that accounted for 31 per cent of all overnight trips across Northern Ireland. She reported that the overnight trips had generated £538 million in tourism spend, 44 per cent of all tourism spend across Northern Ireland. She explained that challenges included staffing, costs of doing business within the tourism and hospitality sector and the impact of opening hours on hospitality.

            She advised the Committee that the Council had worked closely with Visit Belfast, Belfast’s Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO), to ensure that Visit Belfast’s 2024-2027 strategy ‘New Horizons for Belfast’, and its year 2 business plan 2025/26, aligned with the four themes of the Council’s ‘Make Yourself at Home’ tourism plan:

·        Grow the visitor economy in the Belfast city region in an inclusive and sustainable way;

·        Position the Belfast city region as a front of mind destination for leisure visits, business events and days out;

·        Enhance the Experience for visitors by showcasing Belfast city region as a diverse and welcoming destination with a unique neighbourhood offer, and;

·        Sustain its approach to championing sustainability, pioneering impactful initiatives, inspiring sustainable choices amongst visitors and clients and telling Belfast’s sustainability story.

            The representatives provided a summary of the 2024-2027 strategy ‘New Horizons for Belfast’, including growth targets and its key pillars.

            The Committee was presented with an update on the progress of year one of the strategy, 2024/25, including performance highlights, and the economic, social and environmental impact.

            In relation to the business plan for year two, 2025/26, Mr. Lennon provided the Committee with a summary of the policy and market context, advising that work had been done to ensure the plan and strategy aligned with existing strategies, such as the Belfast Agenda and the Department for the Economy’s Economic Vision and Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland, in order that the actions of Visit Belfast delivered on the objectives of all policies.

            He summarised the outlook for 2025/26, including opportunities in relation to major events, strategy, investment and growth, and the challenges in relation to the economy, policy, infrastructure and experience.

            He outlined the focus areas for 2025/26:

·        Growing demand by leveraging major events and infrastructure;

·        Expanding year-round demand - shoulder season and midweek;

·        Capitalising on increased tourism demand for Belfast to spread benefits of tourism including into our city neighbourhoods;

·        Demonstrating sustainable leadership and innovation;

·        Promoting Belfast’s emerging luxury and premium offer;

·        Extreme collaboration across industry partnerships;

·        Driving growth and innovation through AI, digital and data; and

·        Developing our people and next-generation talent within Visit Belfast and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following items 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.

            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 considered a report that provided an update on the Vacant to Vibrant Scheme and outlined the recommendations from the Vacant to Vibrant Assessment Panel following the receipt and assessment of recent applications.

The Committee:

                                      i.          noted the update in relation to the Vacant to Vibrant Programme and that it would be supporting up to 52 businesses to locate or expand into long term vacant units;

                                    ii.          noted the update on the City Centre funding position, as outlined within section 3.20 of the report;

                                   iii.          agreed the recommended city centre grant awards, as outlined within section 3.22 of the report;

                                   iv.          noted the decision on application V2V147, as outlined within section 3.23 of the report; and

                                    v.          agreed the recommended city-wide grant awards, as outlined within section 3.24 of the report.

            The Committee considered a report that provided an update in relation to the Sandy Row Revitalisation Scheme.

The Committee noted:

                                      i.          the update on the Department for Communities funded Sandy Row Revitalisation Scheme; and

                                    ii.          the eligibility criteria and timelines, as outlined within Section 4.0 and Appendix A of the report.

            The Committee considered a report that provided an update in relation to city markets and the St George’s Market business plan for 2025/26.

            During discussion, the Senior Manager, Economy, answered questions from several Members in relation to the Christmas Market.

After discussion, the Committee noted:

i.       the update on city markets, with a focus on St George’s Market;

ii.      the priority actions for the coming quarter and that further progress updates would be brought back to the Committee at future meetings; and

iii.     the updated Markets Business Plan 2025/26.

            The Senior Manager, Economy presented to the Committee a report that set out the proposed scale of charges, that included a new facilitation charge, for Belfast Castle and Malone House for the financial year 2025/26.

The Committee:

i.        agreed the price increases for booking fees as outlined within section 3.3 of the report, and that, subject to ratification by the Council, they would take effect from 14th April, 2025; and

ii.      approved a new facilitation charge, as outlined within section 3.4 of the report.

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

            The Senior Manager, Culture and Tourism, and the Programme Manager presented to the Committee an update on the Belfast 2024 programme.

            The Programme Manager outlined the programme’s timeline, objectives and key principles.

            She provided a summary of the programme’s progress to date, including events, contracts, projects, strategic partnerships and marketing and communications activity.

            She highlighted that the Belfast 2024 programme had been recognised as best practice and shortlisted for awards by local and international bodies.

            She concluded the presentation by providing the Committee with feedback that had been received in relation to the programme.

            During discussion, a Member suggested that a Committee Workshop be held to enable Members to consider the information that had been presented and provide feedback to inform the Belfast 2024 final evaluation report.

Accordingly, the Committee:

i.       noted the update; and

ii.      agreed to hold a workshop on 26th March, 2025, to provide feedback on Belfast 2024 and inform the final evaluation report.

            The Committee agreed the response to the Department for Infrastructure’s Review of Trust Ports consultation, as outlined within section 3.7 of the report.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide an update on work to date on developing a new approach to international engagement activity by the council and to set out emerging thinking ahead of a final draft being presented to a future meeting of this committee, as well as to request approval for council engagement in the June 2025 New York-New Belfast event. 

2.0       Recommendation

            Members are asked to:

·        Note the range of engagement to date and feedback from internal and external partners

·        Note and consider the emerging thinking on the content and approach for the new international engagement activity

·        Share any additional feedback on the emerging propositions in order to inform the final report that will be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee

·        Agree to support and engage in the annual New York-New Belfast event in June 2025 at a cost of £5,000 towards sponsorship and up to a maximum of £7,500 towards travel and accommodation costs for the Lord Mayor and relevant senior officers. 

3.0       Main Report

3.1       At the October 2024 meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, members noted and agreed a series of high-level considerations to shape the work around a new approach to international engagement and agreed that a more detailed report setting out the proposed approach would be brought back to a future meeting.

3.2       Since that time, officers have been engaging with teams across a number of relevant council departments as well as key external partners and have also looked at how other cities carry out this work.  We have distilled the findings from that engagement and research work into a series of emerging proposals that we consider will shape the final draft report. 

3.3       The global operating environment is obviously facing significant headwinds and is highly volatile at the present time.  Macro-level factors such as these mean that it is difficult to plan activities with any degree of certainty given that changes such as the introduction of tariffs can impact direct on commitments and ambitions around trade and FDI activity.  At a regional level, Invest NI has released a new business strategy, including an enhanced focus on both FDI and international trade activity.

3.4       More locally, the recent Belfast Agenda refresh and collective commitment to a series of agreed priority actions means that any future approach needs to align with and support these actions.  Within the council, the changing operational structures – with new teams established over recent years focusing on activities such as Innovation, Climate and City Regeneration – mean that many officers are engaging in international networks and partnerships as part of their ‘business as usual’.  This would not have been the case when the original international relations framework was established in 2017.  In addition, the increased focus on international events such as One Young World and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, as well as the planned investment in Belfast Stories demonstrate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Senior Manager, Culture and Tourism presented to the Committee the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Members on the proposed approach to development of a Tourism Events Action Plan -

.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Committee is asked to:

·        Note the contents of this paper and subsequent next steps for the development of a Tourism Events Action Plan.

·        Recommendations relate to the information contained in section 8.0 of the report, Members are asked to agree to the development of an action plan, and associated ToR with budget of up to £40,000

3.0       Main Report

            Strategic Context of City Events:

            Belfast Agenda:

            The Council has set out a strategic mandate to develop a city for everyone in its Community Plan the Belfast Agenda, where the vision is that:

            Belfast will be a city re-imagined and resurgent. A great place to live and work for everyone. Beautiful, well connected and culturally vibrant, it will be a sustainable city shared and loved by all its citizens, free from the legacy of conflict. A compassionate city offering opportunities for everyone. A confident and successful city energising a dynamic and prosperous city region. A magnet for talent and business and admired around the world. A city people dream to visit.

            City Imagining:

            To achieve this vision, the Council launched a ten-year Cultural Strategy in 2019 - A City Imaginingwhich sets out a long-term commitment to facilitating a new integrated phase of culture-led progress and development for Belfast. The strategy brings together the culture, events and tourism functions within Council, as well as identifying areas of cross departmental working to support the Belfast Agenda.

            Belfast’s Cultural strategy, A City Imagining, recognises the importance of events and programming to the wider cultural and tourism profile of Belfast. Events can tell stories, connect people and present new perspectives on our place.

            As cities move on from the impacts of COVID-19, consumer sentiment research has indicated that events will take on a new significance as motivators for travel and an opportunity for destinations to differentiate their offer. Events can also create immersive spaces for the visitor to become part of an ever-evolving story.

            The benefits of events and cultural programmes to cities are considerable. Many cities have used events to engage with local people, build civic pride and transform their reputation internationally. Events are one of the best ways to measure the economic, social and environmental impact of tourism as they bring together a cross-section of city stakeholders. Importantly they also have the ability to create legacy.

            Make Yourself at Home:

            To realise the ambitions of the Cultural Strategy, Council developed the Tourism Plan Make Yourself at Home, which is a ten-year blueprint to develop and grow tourism in the city with its four directional themes – Grow, Sustain, Experience and Position. 

            The plan recognises the need to expand the city’s experience mix that will encourage visitors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on progress with the development of the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) – a key element of the Department for the Economy’s (DfE) sub-regional economic plan. 

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the update on the Department for the Economy’s Sub-Regional Economic Plan  

·        Note the agreed financial allocations for Belfast City Council

·        Note the emerging priority areas of focus, subject to further engagement with internal and external partners

·        Agree to renew the council’s membership of and contribution to the work of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre for a 2-year period at a cost of £40,000 per year

·        Consider the merits of engagement in the Local Enterprise training being delivered via NAC (NI) and, if there is agreement to participate, nominate elected members to take part in this training. 

3.0       Main Report

3.1       At the 6 December 2024 meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, members were updated on the Department for the Economy’s ‘sub-regional economic plan’, including the commitment to establish Local Economic Partnerships in each council area with an overall financial allocation of £45million over three years. 

3.2       Since the December meeting, the Department has made some progress on both finalising the financial allocation to each council area and also on agreeing broad areas of eligible spend and metrics to track progress. 

3.3       Financial allocations

            The financial allocations for each council area have now been confirmed.  Belfast City Council will receive up to £956,000 per year – a total of £2,868,000 over three years.  DfE is currently in the process of finalising the business case for the funding.  Based on feedback from councils, it is expected that the spend profile in year one will be lower than in other years – given the time taken to mobilise partnerships, agree priority projects and recruit staff to lead and oversee project development and delivery.

3.4       As previously noted, it is disappointing that the narrative on sub-regional growth appears to start from the premise that the recent economic progress in Belfast means that additional investment should be focused in other parts of the region.  As members will be aware, Belfast is a major economic generator for the rest of NI – almost half of the people that work in Belfast do not live here.  However, Belfast also has significant economic inclusion challenges - 6 of the top 10 most deprived wards in NI are in Belfast while the top 15 most deprived wards for the Education, Skills and Training domain are all in Belfast. Officers will be actively working to develop proposals to help ensure that the economic importance of the city and the challenges facing many of our citizens are more clearly understood and to develop approaches to inclusive innovation that maximise benefits across society.  

3.5       Eligible activity

            In line with the Minister’s vision and the sub-regional economic plan, the priority outcome  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

            The Committee noted the update to all Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance that the Committee was responsible for, as outlined within Appendix 1 of the report.

            The High Sheriff, Councillor McAteer, raised the issue of the recent announcement that Connswater Shopping Centre was set to close. She highlighted the financial and operational challenges that the independent businesses and charities faced, following the short notice of the closure. She further highlighted the need for the Council to support, where possible, the independent businesses and charities that had been affected.

            With the permission of the Deputy Chairperson, Councillor R. Brooks addressed the Committee in relation to this issue.

            During discussion, a Member suggested that the issue be raised at the next meeting of the Party Group Leaders’ Forum.

Accordingly, the Committee agreed:

                                      i.          that a report would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee that would outline potential areas of support that the Council could provide to the charities and independent businesses that had been affected by the closure of Connswater Shopping Centre; and

                                    ii.          that the issue would be raised at the next meeting of the Party Group Leaders’ Forum.

            Councillor Black raised the issue of the impact of the works to Belfast Grand Central Station on retailers, hospitality and service providers within the areas of the Grosvenor Road and Durham Street.

            At the request of Councillor Black, the Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Communities to request:

i.        that, given the impact of Belfast Grand Central Station on retailers, hospitality and service providers, a Revitalisation Scheme be funded for the areas of the Grosvenor Road and Durham Street; and

ii.      an update on the establishment of a multi-agency taskforce that the Minister had proposed to address the wider impact of the works to Belfast Grand Central Station on Sandy Row, Grosvenor Road, Durham Street and other impacted areas. 

            The Committee noted that the Special Committee meeting, scheduled for 26th March, would be used as a workshop to consider the 2025/26 Committee Plan and Belfast 2024.