Agenda and minutes

            An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor McCormick.

            The minutes of the meetings of 6th and 27th August, 2025, were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st September, 2025, subject to the following amendments:

·        the minute under the heading “Translink - Belfast Grand Central Station Update” was amended to provide that the Council writes to the Minister for Infrastructure and Translink to request consideration of a scheme that would reduce fares to encourage the use of public transport and reduce traffic congestion during the Christmas period; and

·        the minute under the heading “Vacant to Vibrant Programme” was amended to provide that a report be brought back to the Committee that would outline how many applicants remained without funding and the cost of approving those grant awards.

            There were no declarations of interest.

            The Committee acceded to a request from representatives on behalf of St. George’s Market traders to present at a future meeting.

      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 was provided with an update on the Vacant to Vibrant Programme and the associated recommendation from the assessment panel.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development highlighted that, subject to the Committee’s approval of the assessment panel’s recommendation, the city-wide fund would now be completely expended and closed to further applications. She advised that officers would continue to seek additional funding to extend the scheme.

            The Committee:

i.        noted the update in relation to the Vacant to Vibrant Programme which would be supporting up to 72 businesses/organisations to locate or expand into long term vacant units;

ii.      agreed the recommended city-wide grant award as outlined within the report; and

iii.     noted that the city-wide fund was now completely expended and closed to further applications, and that officers would continue to seek additional funding to extend the scheme.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided an update on a number of strands of the housing-led regeneration programme of work.

            The Director reminded Members that, following the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) in April 2025, which formalised the Overarching Business Plan (OBP) and the Joint Venture (JV) governance arrangements, the Private Sector Partner (PSP) had submitted a proposed Seed Site Development Programme. She reported that the Council had a contractual obligation to consider and approve the Development Programme within the agreed timeframe. She advised that the prioritisation and programme for the seed sites had been developed through a process of site prioritisation followed by the establishment of a development programme for each site, which included key milestones and longstop dates. In relation to the development proposals for each of the sites, the Director advised that the Initial Site Specific Business Plans (ISSBP) would be brought back to the Committee for approval.

            The Committee was provided with an update in respect of the Strategic Site Assessment (SSA) Phase 2 sites, which highlighted that the PSP had identified a potential site which could be considered as an Additional Opportunity Site. It was reported that there might be an opportunity to bring forward additional SSA Phase 2 sites, and that further updates would be brought back to the Committee and the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, as appropriate.

            The Director also provided an update, as requested by the Committee at its meeting in June 2025, on the current position of the Strategic Site Assessment Phase 1 sites which summarised the work that had been undertaken to date and next steps.

            The Committee was informed that there continued to be an ongoing requirement to retain specialist commercial and financial related property advice as the JV moved through the delivery process, and that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in relation to these services.

            The Committee:

i.        noted the progress made through the governance process for the approval of the Seed Site Development Programme submitted by the PSP;

ii.      agreed the prioritisation of the Seed Sites as detailed in the report;

iii.     noted that the Initial Site Business Plans would be brought back to the Committee for approval in respect of the detailed development proposals for each of the sites;

iv.     noted the key milestone and longstop dates that contractualised key event dates in the PSP Development Programme and provided the Council with the ability to remove exclusive development rights that were currently granted under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA);

v.      noted the requirement for ongoing specialist financial and commercial property services from the appointed provider;

vi.     agreed that the key appointment of the specialist financial and commercial property services provider would be noted in a Contract Report to be submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee;

vii.    noted the potential to include one of the SSA Phase 2 sites,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Director of City Regeneration and Development provided the Committee with an update in relation to the Sandy Row Revitalisation Scheme and the proposed Grosvenor Road Revitalisation Scheme.

            During discussion, a Member highlighted the potential impact of the works associated with Belfast Grand Central Station on the independent businesses located on Great Victoria Street.

            After discussion, the Committee:

i.        noted the update on the Department for Communities funded Sandy Row Revitalisation Scheme and the proposed Grosvenor Road Revitalisation Scheme; and

ii.      agreed to write to the Minister for Communities to request that consideration be given to the provision of support for independent businesses on Great Victoria Street impacted by the works associated with Belfast Grand Central Station.

            The Strategic Director, Place and Economy, and the Belfast 2024 Programme Manager presented to the Committee a draft closure report which summarised the Belfast 2024 programme activities, outputs, evaluation results, lessons learned and legacy plans.

            During discussion, Members thanked the officers for the work that had been undertaken in delivering the cultural programme.

            The Strategic Director and the Programme Manager answered a range of questions from the Members in relation to the impact of the programme, lessons learned, communication and public engagement, and legacy plans going forward.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the outputs, outcomes and feedback from the Belfast 2024 programme, and the legacy opportunities that had emerged from the programme of work.

            The Director of Economic Development provided the Committee with an update on the performance of St. George’s Market for Quarter 1 2025/26, the Markets Storage Policy and the Markets Rights Policy. He also outlined, for the Committee’s consideration, a request for a markets licence for a Dilly Dally Festive Makers Market to be held in Carlisle Memorial Church in November, 2025.

            The Senior Manager, Economy, provided the Committee with an overview of the Markets Rights Policy and outlined a recommended new approach and fee structure for licenses under the policy.

            During discussion, the Director of Economic Development, the Markets Development Manager, and the Senior Manager, Economy, answered a range of questions from the Members on the Markets Storage Policy, the Christmas Continental Market and external markets.

            In relation to the Markets Storage Policy, a Member highlighted the need for further engagement to take place with market traders in relation to any update to the policy and suggested that it would be beneficial to the Committee for a further report to be submitted which would outline potential options in respect of the Council’s engagement and communication with traders.

            Accordingly, the Committee:

i.        noted the update against priority business plan activities and the financial performance of St George’s Market for Quarter 1, 2025/26;

ii.      approved a proposed new approach and fee structure for licences under the Markets Rights Policy, with effect from 1st November, 2025;

iii.     approved a licence for a Dilly Dally Festive Makers Market at Carlisle Memorial Church on 22nd November, 2025; and

iv.     agreed to defer consideration of the Markets Storage Policy update to enable a further report to be submitted which would outline options in respect of the Council’s engagement and communication with traders.

            The Strategic Director of Place and Economy submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided an update on the Committee’s financial position for Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

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

            The Director of Economic Development provided the Committee with an update on the performance of the Belfast Bikes Scheme for Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

            The Committee noted the update provided in respect of the Belfast Bikes Scheme performance for Quarter 1 2025/26.

            The Strategic Director of Place and Economyprovided the Committee with an update on the performance of Belfast Zoo for Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

            The Committee noted the update on the performance of Belfast Zoo for Quarter 1 2025/26.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is

·        To provide an update on Fleadh Cheoil

·        To provide an update on Oireachtas

·        To provide an update on festive lighting

·        To provide an update on America 250

·        To provide an update on New Years Eve

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to

·        Note the update regarding Fleadh Cheoil

·        Note the update regarding Oireachtas festival

·        Note and approve costs associated with Festive lighting scheme

·        Note the update regarding America 250

·        Note the update regarding New Years Eve

3.0       Main report

3.1       Fleadh Cheoil

            August SPR committee considered a report on the strategic case for the Fleadh and its significant economic impact and return on investment. Members were updated on the financial plan associated with hosting the Fleadh and the Committee approved the draft outline expenditure budget for Fleadh Cheoil 2026.

            Following consideration of the proposed governance arrangements, including detailed proposals in relation to governance of Finance Risk, Members agreed not to establish a Members Working Group but that a further report should brought back to the Committee on governance, following engagement with Comhaltas, and on the use of delegated authority.

            SPR Committee Members were also advised that an engagement plan is being developed to ensure early engagement with stakeholders and local communities which is essential to ensure inclusivity and impact. This will include a city stakeholder group which will help to inform the work undertaken in relation to programme development and operational planning and will be closely aligned with the work of the marketing and communications group.

            Following attendance at Wexford 2025 a dedicated Party Group Leader session has been scheduled to discuss lessons learned and to update on key areas of work.

            A number of core work packages are currently under way, being overseen by the internal Programme Board and the Fleadh Executive Committee, including;

·        Implementation of all governance structures (subject to further report to SPR Committee)

·        Financial plan, funding & sponsorship

·        Audit & risk

·        Lessons learned from Wexford

·        Brand, marketing and communications

·        Operations and logistics planning

·        Ground footprint

·        Traffic management planning

·        Core programming

·        Venue mapping

·        Licencing

·        Planning

·        Accommodation

·        Volunteering

·        Visitor servicing

3.2       Oireachtas na Samhna 2025

            Planning is well under way for the Oireachtas with final technical site visits occurring early September. Core venues remain as ICC, Ulster Hall, City Hall and the Europa.

            Dedicated brand work has been developed and is being utilised across all partner marketing. Exhibition space within ICC has been identified for BCC which is being led by language officer aligned to ongoing work for the language action plan. Visit Belfast will also avail of exhibition space to facilitate visitor servicing.

            Officers have been working with core venues to ensure there is a provision of Irish language speaking staff on front of house duties and integration into announcement systems

            Through the ongoing work of the programme board, Oireachtas have facilitated an ongoing engagement to encourage participation and competition entries as well as a Schools engagement programme.

            Additional support packages of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Belfast Regeneration Place Based Growth Proposition.

            The Committee also considered correspondence from the Department for Communities in response to its request for an update on what consideration had been given to the transfer of regeneration powers to local government.

            During discussion, a Member welcomed the update provided within the report, however, expressed disappointment in respect of the Department for Communities response, which stated that any further transfer of regeneration powers would require a fundamental review of the position across several Departments, consideration by the Executive and the introduction of primary legislation, and advised that there was currently no plans to take this forward.

            The Committee noted:

i.        the update on the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition, which included the Belfast Business Case for Place-Based Investment;

ii.      the update on the strategic engagement with the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, which included a forthcoming joint Ministerial meeting with the Executive as part of a strategic engagement programme aligned to the Belfast Place Based Growth Proposition and would seek to secure place based and regeneration investment funding;

iii.     the continued role for Members in terms of political party engagement at local, MP and ministerial level; and

iv.     a response received from the Department for Communities to correspondence from the Committee which requested an update on what consideration had been given to the transfer of regeneration powers to local government.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the Department for Communities consultation on its proposed ‘Shaping Sustainable Places Programme’. The report also outlined a draft Council response to the public consultation.

            The Committee:

i.        noted the Department for Communities (DfC) public consultation on its proposed ‘Shaping Sustainable Places’ programme;

ii.      approved a response to the DfC Shaping Sustainable Places consultation, subject to comments from the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee;

iii.     noted that the response would be submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 19th September, 2025, given the potential financial and resource implications of the programme; and

iv.     noted that the response would be submitted to the Department for Communities on the 21st September, 2025, with the caveat that it would be subject to Council ratification on the 1st October, 2025.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the Department for Infrastructure’s consultation on its draft ‘Transport Strategy 2035’. The report also outlined a draft Council response to the public consultation.

            The Committee:

i.       noted the main highlights of the Department for Infrastructure’s draft ‘Transport Strategy 2035’; and

ii.      approved a response to the draft ‘Transport Strategy 2035’ consultation; and

iii.     noted that the response would be submitted to the Department for Infrastructure by the deadline of 16th December, 2025, subject to Council ratification on 1st October 2025.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the work of the Belfast Health and Work Steering Group, which was established through the Belfast Labour Market Partnership.

            The Committee noted the key recommendations of the Belfast Health and Work Steering Group, and the next steps and implications for the work of the Council and its partners.

            The Committee noted responses from the Executive Office, the Minister for the Economy and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport in relation to potential US tariffs on films produced outside of the US.

            The Committee noted a response from the Department for Communities in relation to rent controls.

            The Committee considered a report which provided a quarterly update on the Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance that it was responsible for, in line with the agreement of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that all Committees receive regular updates.

            The report outlined that there was currently eight Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance for which the Committee was responsible for, and recommended the closure of the following two motions:

Category 1 Recommended Closures:

·        Rent Controls; and

·        Proposed US Tariff on Films Made Outside of the US.

            The report also provided an update on the six motions which remained open.

            The Committee:

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

ii.      agreed to the closure of the following two Notices of Motion, as outlined in 3.3 and Appendix 1 of the report:

·        Rent Controls (ID 309); and

·        Proposed US Tariff on Films Made Outside of the US (ID 450).

            Councillor de Faoite reminded the Committee that, in April 2023, he had proposed a motion, which was subsequently passed by the Council, which recognised that many neighbourhoods across the city suffer from congestion, poor air quality, commuter traffic, under investment in active travel measures and road safety issues, and called on the Department for Infrastructure to engage with the Council, relevant local organisations and residents to deliver a ‘Rosetta Quietway’ to help tackle some of those issues within the area. He expressed his concern and frustration at the lack of progress in relation to the delivery of a quietway for the Rosetta area.

            He highlighted that, at its meeting on 4th September, 2025, the East Belfast Area Working Group had received a presentation from the EastSide Partnership on the Connswater Greenway, which also included discussion regarding the potential to expand and deliver additional greenway and quietway networks across East Belfast and the city. He stated that, given the continued congestion and road safety issues, Rosetta, Lisnasharragh District Electoral Area (DEA), was a prime location to deliver a quietway to help reduce congestion and provide a cleaner and greener neighbourhood for residents.

            At the request of Councillor de Faoite, the Committee agreed that Council officers would seek to facilitate, alongside local Councillors for the Lisnasharragh DEA and the EastSide Partnership, an engagement session with the Department for Infrastructure to explore options in respect of the potential to deliver a ‘Rosetta Quietway’.