Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting of 6th and 12th September, 2023 were taken as read and signed as correct. 

            It was reported that the minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 4th October.

            The Committee was advised that under the heading, Update on Local Government Regional Resilience Function, from the minutes of 12th September, the Chief Executive had confirmed that this function would continue reporting through the People and Communities Committee and not the Climate and City Resilience Committee as its work related to Emergency Planning and work with other agencies which was within the remit of the People and Communities Committee.

No declarations were reported.

            The Committee noted that agenda item 3 (e) Update on Alleygates Consultation had been withdrawn from the agenda.

The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Ms. M. Dimsdale-Bobby and Ms. T. Cunningham representing the Causeway Coast Dog Rescue Limited.

            The representatives commenced by thanking the Committee for the opportunity to present on the work of the charity.  Ms. Cunningham advised that the aim of the organisation was to ensure the advancement of animal welfare, focusing on dogs.  Formed over 20 years ago, the organisation became a registered charity in 2015.   She detailed that the organisation raised funds to provide rehoming services, where possible a suitable home was sourced to provide care to an animal that was either unwanted or had suffered through neglect. 

            The representative advised that the organisation worked with the local community to promote the understanding of people’s responsibilities within legislation to reduce homelessness, whilst aiming to stop animal neglect and abuse.  Additional information was provided to local and central government departments to help promote the advancement of animal welfare in Northern Ireland. 

            The representative provided detail of its work with other charities and agencies and highlighted the ongoing many and varied welfare issues that existed. She reiterated that the organisation’s focus was that of animal welfare and increasing the quality of life for dogs which were neglected or abused.

            All dogs surrendered to the charity were assessed, checked thoroughly by a vet, licenced and rehomed with an appropriate individual or family.  The charity did not believe in destroying a healthy dog.  In addition, the charity provided support to individuals who had concerns that they might have witnessed a case of abuse or neglect by signposting them to the correct authorities.

            The presentation concluded with the representatives thanking the Committee for the opportunity to present and with them answering several queries from the Members. 

            The Committee noted the presentation.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following nine items is 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 nine 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 a comprehensive update in respect of an ongoing odour nuisance investigation.  This included detail in respect of the Council’s engagement with other agencies concerning odour complaints at the site which was situated adjacent to the Belfast City Council boundary but located within the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area.

            The Members were advised that complaints had been received regarding odour emanating from the site since 2020.  As a result, the Council was involved in extensive ongoing engagement with the Site Manager/Owner, DAERA and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Environmental Health. 

            The Director advised that the Council’s Legal Services had confirmed that there was no legal basis for serving an abatement notice at this time, given that officers were of the view that a statutory nuisance did not presently exist.  She reported that any consideration given to serving an abatement notice was likely to be unsustainable and subject to legal challenge.

            A Member thanked the Director of City Services for the work done to date to try and control the problem.

            The Committee noted the update provided.

The Director of City Services provided the Members with an update in respect of the following matters:

·        Update on the new Crematorium Development;

·        Naming of the new Crematorium Chapels;

·        Update on Bereavement Services Operations; and

·        Future Burial Land.

            Councillor Flynn welcomed the work to date by both the officers and the Members of the Working Group and he proposed that the two Chapels be named Hawthorn and Rowan.  This was seconded by Councillor Ó Néill and unanimously agreed by the Committee.  

            The Committee agreed and adopted the minutes of the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group and furthermore:

·        agreed to name the two chapels in the new City of Belfast Crematorium - Hawthorn and Rowan;

·        approved the recommendation from the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group to increase the size of the Muslim burial ground at Roselawn; and

·        approved the recommendation from the Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group to add Troopers Lane to the shortlist of options for potential new burial Land.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services drew the Members’ attention to the results of the online survey, which had been undertaken between 31st May and 10th July by the in-House GLL Customer Relationship Management Team, as required under Clause 38.3.  He reported that the survey had been sent to all contactable Active Members via both email and push notifications. He advised that in total 2,399 had been received, this was up by 131% from 2022.

            The need for the leisure transformation programme to commence at the Whiterock and Shankill Leisure Centres was highlighted, with the Members advising that both needed urgent refurbishment. 

            The Members noted receipt of the 2023 CSS as evidence of compliance with Contract Clause 38.3.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services provided the Committee with an update on the proposed GLL pricing structure for the period 2024-25.

            The Director reminded the Members that the proposed CPI/RPI price increases were a contractual entitlement and, as such, the Committee could articulate a view on the proposed price increases but did not have the authority to challenge the pricing review proposal.

            A Member highlighted that she felt that the pricing structure for each centre should be reflective of the different standards across the centres, reiterating that some centres urgently required refurbishment whilst others had already undergone extensive programmes, however, the proposed price increase would be applied equally.

            The Committee noted the proposed average 6% price increase in the scheduled of charges for 2024/25 and the rationale presented in support of the proposed price revisions.

The Director of City Services reminded the Members that responsibility for Off Street Public Car Parking had transferred to Council from DRD Roads Service on the 1st  April 2015. The operating arrangements for the car parks, including tariffs, had been set by the Department (DRD) within the OffStreet Parking Order (NI) 2000 and subsequent amendments. These arrangements had been reviewed taking cognisance of the Belfast Car Parking Strategy and Action Plan.

            She explained that the purpose of this report was for the Members to consider and agree the draft Belfast Off Street Parking Order, the proposals set out within the report and the recommendation to proceed to public consultation.

            She asked the Members to consider the proposals and the progression to public consultation.  The consultation would be conducted through YourSay, with notification of the consultation advertised in each car park and properties adjacent to those car parks being included notified by letter. She advised that the results of the public consultation would be reported back in due course, together with the final draft Off Street Parking Order for consideration and approval.

            During discussion the Members raised a number of queries. 

            The Director of City Services undertook to liaise with officers from the Regeneration Team to discuss the addition of EV charging points, the implementation of an accreditation scheme and the benchmarking of Council car parks against other public and private car parks in terms of pricing.  She also agreed to provide clarity regarding the schedule of rates, confirming that these had remained unchanged from the date of transfer from DRD Roads.  She advised that the respective updates would be submitted to the relevant committee or Working Group in due course.

            Following a query from a Member regarding the current status of the rolling out of the bike stands in Belfast, it was agreed that an officer would go back to the Member directly to provide an update.

            A Member highlighted that she felt that the car parking tariffs in carparks needed to remain affordable otherwise people would revert to street parking which would exasperate the problems that already existing for residents in areas close to the city centre. 

            The Committee agreed the content of the draft Belfast Off Street Parking Order and the consultation process as outlined.

The Committee considered a report seeking an increase to the Capacity Building Grant Budget by £47,500 per annum for the financial years 2023-26 to provide a grant payment to TechDesk CIC (Community Interest Company).

            The Members were advised that an application to the Capacity Building Grant by TechDesk CIC had been considered ineligible for the 2023-26 funding round and had not progressed to assessment. The eligibility status of the applicant had since been reviewed by Legal Services, and it had been recommended that the company should have progressed to assessment. The application had since been scored and it was now recommended for funding.

            There was no current provision to allocate funding to TechDesk CIC from the existing Capacity Grant budget and therefore additional funds were being sought.

            Following a query, the Director confirmed that a review of the guidance for this grant would be completed as part of the department’s planned review of its large grant programmes in 2024-25.

            The Committee recommended to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that additional monies be made available to the Capacity Grant budget to allow payment of an annual award of £47,500 to TechDesk CIC for the three financial years 2023/2026.

The Director of Resources and Fleet provided the Committee with a detailed update regarding the findings and recommendations of the consultancy report that had been commissioned to investigate the potential benefits of the introduction of smaller refuse collection vehicles to collect household waste from streets that had continued access problems.

            She advised that officers were now in receipt of the final draft of the RPS report and drew the Members attention to the findings of the report, along with the preferred option, as detailed below:

·        Select the 18 tonnes Dennis Elite as the most suitable vehicle;

·        create two new additional collection crews to service the 248 named streets;

·        to carry out a ‘manual’ desktop routing exercise to create routes based on post codes and current collection dates for each street by waste stream;

·        add an additional two 18 tonnes Dennis Elite vehicles to the fleet;

·        agreed that these vehicles be hired in the first instance for a period of twelve months in order to:

§  establish that the proposed solution was delivering tangible and expected results;

§  allow operations time to assess and review performance and adjust as necessary; and

§  to secure additional capital funding and allow time for the procurement of 2 additional vehicles (lead times of approximately 12 months from date of order) for the BCC Fleet.

            The Committee was asked to note that, as Resources and Fleet currently did not have the financial approval to implement the findings and recommendations of the report, a growth proposal had been submitted for the 2024/25 financial year to be considered as part of the annual estimates processes.  Should funding be agreed as part of the estimates and rate setting process, Resources and Fleet would look to operationalise the additional crews as soon as possible in the new financial year.

Following a query from a Member, the Committee was advised that a draft list of the named streets to be serviced would be circulated via e-mail to the Members who were welcome to liaise with the Director if they had any queries.  In addition, the Director agreed to submit further information in due course on the potential of additional single collection points.

            The Committee noted the findings of the draft RPS report and welcomed the preferred option recommendation for the introduction of additional vehicles and crews and noted that a growth proposal had been submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for the proposal and required funding to be considered as part of the estimate and rate setting process.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services provided the Members with an update in respect of the operation of the Social Supermarket Fund, with the approach having been approved at the September 2023 meeting of Committee and subsequently ratified by the Council.

            The Director reminded the Members that an element of this funding was directed towards the development of new projects and that officers had shared information on the process to access this funding via an email to all Members of the Committee on 25th September, in which the details of the requirements that new projects needed to be eligible to apply had been outlined.

            The Director advised that organisations that had received an initial allocation had been asked to submit applications by the 28th September 2023. At that stage, the Greater Shankill Partnership had advised that they would not be in a position to coordinate this project and to apply for the allocation of £21,530 due to other work commitments. It had subsequently liaised with the Greater Shankill Community Council, who had delivered the Winter 2022 round of the Council Fuel Hardship scheme, and it was keen to be considered for delivery of this new tranche of money.

            In terms of the proposed approach to the 2024/25 scheme.  The Director reminded the Committee that it was likely that the Department for Communities (DfC) would make a further allocation to the Council through the Social Supermarket Fund in 2024/25, therefore, officers were currently exploring the options around the future delivery of the scheme, which would include an open call, although he stressed that Members should note that this option would be dependent on available resources for administration.

            The Committee approved the reallocation of £21,530 to the Greater Shankill Community Council for delivery of activity in the Shankill area.

The Director of City Services advised the Committee of a recent decision taken by DAERA to withdraw funding with immediate effect in respect of the Council’s provision of Animal Welfare Services.

            The Director reported that Councils in Northern Ireland currently enforced the requirements of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 for non-farmed animals.

Since April 2012, a Northern Ireland wide Animal Welfare Service delivery model had been operating, with a five sub-regional model linking to the Regional Lead Council Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) and to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).  Staff were employed by the sub-regional lead Councils to operate across all regions with provision for 10 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Animal Welfare Officers (AWO), 2 of whom were based in Belfast City Council. There was currently only 7 FTE due to a pause in recruitment until funding issues had been resolved. This was putting significant strain on the 7 officers who were covering the whole of Northern Ireland.

            The Director advised that, over the past 10 years, DAERA had funded the Councils’ Animal Welfare Service with an allocation of £1.25m in the year 2022-23. The funding was made available to Councils to fulfil the statutory enforcement obligations arising from the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 and FODC as Lead Council for Animal Welfare managed this resource funding.  On 23rd August 2023, The Permanent Secretary, DAERA wrote to advise “that the Department was unable to provide funding to support Councils in the delivery of their statutory responsibilities for non-farmed animal Welfare”.

            The Director advised that there was obviously a considerable amount of uncertainty in relation to the operation of the Animal Welfare Service, therefore, it was imperative that Belfast City Council continued to work in collaboration with the other Councils to ensure that to the best of its ability the statutory requirements were met and the Committee was asked to agree to support the existing Council arrangements to ensure that the Animal Welfare Service continued until 31st March 2024.  It was noted that, if the Committee agreed, this funding would come from the specified reserve established by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in June 2023 to deal with any potential Central Government Reductions.

            The Committee was advised that the Animal Welfare Strategic Project Board, of which the Council was a member, was currently reviewing potential delivery models and associated costs for providing the Animal Welfare function from 1st April 2024 and it hoped to provide SOLACE with an update by December 2023.  In addition, SOLACE was considering the local government position and taking legal advice via the Council.

            It was estimated that it would cost the Council in the region of £153k annually to operate its own Animal Welfare Service. Officers were preparing a Growth Proposal for the rate setting process for consideration, however, this would be dependent on any formal action taken via SOLACE on the current DAERA position.

            A Member noted the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1             This report provides a draft People & Communities Committee Plan summarising the Committee’s key priorities for 2023-24. 

            The Committee is asked to consider further this report which was deferred from the People and Communities Committee meeting of 12 September 2023.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Approve the draft People and Communities Committee Plan priorities for 2023-24.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The 2023-24 draft P&C Committee Plan has been developed in the context of the Council’s Corporate Plan and the Belfast Agenda and considering the Belfast Agenda Refresh.  Consequently, the new Committee Plan contains the commitments within the Corporate Delivery Plan, which fall under the remit of this Committee, plus additional deliverables that have been agreed by the P&C Committee throughout 2022-23 and are relevant to the Standing Orders.  The draft Plan sets out the main priorities and programmes of work that the Committee oversees to maximise the Council’s contribution the Belfast Agenda.

3.2       At the SP&R Committee on 18th August 2023 the Corporate Annual Delivery Plan 2023-24, setting out the in-year deliverables against the priorities, was agreed as part of the four-year corporate plan. 

3.3       The structure of the delivery plan is themed under the following groupings:

·        Our services

·        Economic recovery

·        Community recovery

·        Environmental recovery

·        Strategic Planning frameworks, and

·        Organisational Foundations.

3.4       A series of priorities fall under each theme, each with a number of committed deliverables for 2023-24.

3.5       Members will recall that the People and Communities Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, policies, programmes and projects aimed at improving life at a local level in the context of the outcomes agreed in the community and corporate plans and other corporate strategy.  This includes:

·        Developing and delivering programmes, events and activities to promote health, safety and well-being at a local level

·        Administering and enforcing the Council’s powers and duties under the Public Health Acts and all environmental health and building related legislation and regulations

·        Securing and providing adequate provision for the recycling, treatment and disposal of commercial and domestic waste including bulky waste and the collection and disposal of abandoned motor vehicles.

·        Exercising the Council's powers for improving local environmental quality in relation to housing legislation, managing controlled waste, emergency planning and community safety and anti-social behaviour, clean neighbourhoods and other environmental or regulatory issues not falling within the remit of any other Committee 

·        Managing, maintaining and maximising the benefit of the Council’s parks, pitches, playgrounds and other public spaces as well as community centres and other indoor facilities

·        Developing and implementing activities to ensure the delivery of corporate strategies and initiatives in respect of the promotion of health and physical activity, environmental protection, community safety and other such areas under the domain of this Committee

·        Overseeing the delivery of the Council’s frontline services and associated community assets including: Environmental Services; Cleansing; Waste Management; Parks and Cemeteries service, Neighbourhood and Development Services; Community Services, Community Safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To provide members with an update on the development of a Belfast City Council Sports Development and Physical Activity Strategy (The Strategy) and the current timeline for the completion of the Strategy .

1.2       To provide a copy of the draft strategy which will be used for the public consultation.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note:

                                             (i)     The updated timeline for development of the Belfast Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy 

                                            (ii)     The draft Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy summary document attached

                                          (iii)     The publication of the draft Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy for public consultation over a period of 12 weeks from November 2023 - January 2024.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       It was agreed by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 5th January 2018 that a Belfast City Council Sports Development Strategy and associated work plan would be developed. This Strategy was to provide a framework for future decision making on providing funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport delivering programmes in Belfast in support of existing funding streams and work programmes which enhance sporting opportunities for Belfast’s sporting organisations and individuals.

3.2       The People and Communities Committee of 5th June 2018 agreed a proposed Terms of Reference and proposed timeline. Since that date the Departmental Change Programme has prompted consideration of wider opportunities to clarify and align the links between sports development and Council’s strategic funding and programming decisions in the areas of asset development, health improvement and community development.

3.3       At the People and Communities meeting of 10 November 2020  it was agreed that the Terms of Reference be extended to include the following;

·        In line with the Belfast Agenda the outcomes are extended to 2035

·        Physical activity programming is considered as part of the pathway into organised sport

·        Considered and aligned with our Leisure Transformation Programme.

·        Identification of alternative sources of financing/partner opportunities.

·        Facility/asset utilisation and management is maximised through collaborative partnership approaches

·        Facility/asset planning and development is considered taking account of local, citywide and regional need.

·        Sport’s contribution to improvement of whole health is considered in the context of partnership working through the work of the Belfast Community Planning Partnership and associated Boards – particularly the Living Here Board

·        Sport’s contribution to community development is considered in the context of City & Neighbourhood’s Departmental approach to area working and neighbourhood regeneration

·        The strategy ‘working title’ to be ‘Belfast Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy’

            Due to Covid the development of this strategy was delayed.

3.4       In July 2022 following a quotation process Strategic Leisure were appointed to support council in the production of the Strategy.

3.5       Since the appointment of Strategic Leisure Council officers have been working directly with them. On the  27th  September 2022  initial introduction meetings involving both Council Officers and a number of Key Delivery Partners took place. More than 50 individuals and groups have been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Members were reminded that, at a previous meeting of the Committee, further information had been sought in relation to the operation of the Belfast City Youth Council (BCYC) and the recruitment exercise.

            Following the appointment of the new Young People’s Coordinator, Mr. S. Mulholland, in November 2022, the Terms of Reference of BCYC had been studied further. The Members were reminded that the Young People’s Coordinator was the only dedicated officer to the BCYC.   

            The Director advised that discussions had taken place with the young people, officers and sessional contracted youth workers who helped with the work of the BCYC.  He reported that these discussions had identified challenges in operating the Youth Council with its current membership numbers. It was therefore proposed to reduce the membership from the current quota of 40 to 30 members, as it was felt that this would help to improve the functioning of the BCYC.  If accepted, this change would be reflected in a Revised Terms of Reference. The membership would continue to be drawn proportionately from each DEA (3 members from each DEA, rather than 4) and the membership of the Forum would seek to have a balance in terms of the background of the members that was reflective of the

Make-up of the city.

            The Members were advised that The Young People’s Coordinator was currently working with the Council’s Marketing and Corporate Communications team to finalise the marketing and communications plan that wouldunderpin the recruitment and selection process. He had also been engaging with a widerange of youth organisations in advance of the recruitment phase.

            The Director provided an overview of the rationale for this change and drew the Members’ attention to the proposed timeline for the recruitment exercise, as detailed below:

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that the recent meeting of the Reference Group on Older People had been a joint meeting with the Greater Belfast Seniors Forum (G6), held at the City Hall on 19th September.

            At this meeting an update had been provided on the following areas of work:

·        Smartpass 60+ Consultation;

·        G6 - Action Plan;

·        Age Friendly Belfast Plan; and

·        Positive Ageing Month – more information available here

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes from the Reference Group on Older People held on 19th September 2023.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To report to Committee on the draft Belfast City Council response to the Consultation onthe draftProducer Responsibility Obligations(Packaging andPackaging Waste)Regulations [2024].

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       To agree the final Belfast City Council response to the Consultationon thedraft ProducerResponsibility  Obligations  (  Packagingand PackagingWaste) Regulations[2024] as attached in Appendix 1

            Note that the consultation closed on 9th October 2023, and that officers have submitted a draft response to DEFRA, noting that a final decision by members is required and DEFRA will be advised of the final decision.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members may recall from the Committee meeting on 12th September 2023, that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) recently launched a public consultation on draft regulations for Producer ResponsibilityObligations.

            The link to the consultation is as follows: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/extended-producerresponsibiity-team/consultation-on-the-draft-producer-responsibility/

3.2       This consultation seeks views on how well the proposed 2024 Regulations reflect the Government Response to the proposals on the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging across the UK (generated by 2019 consultation on reforming the UK Packaging Producer Responsibility System and the 2021 Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging).

3.3       The Government Response was published in March 2022 can be found here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1063588/epr-final-impact-assessment.pdf   

3.4       Since the publication of the Government Response, the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations have been working closely to develop the draft Regulations which implement these reforms. The main objective has been to ensure that these reforms deliver sustained change.

3.5       Having reflected on industry feedback, the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations decided to defer EPR for packaging payments from October 2024 to October 2025. It is envisaged that a 12-month deferral to packaging payments will give: 

·        Industry additional time to prepare for the new requirements, which may include reviewing and improving current packaging use.

·        Industry and local authorities more opportunity to be involved in the design of the scheme.? 

·        Local authorities and waste management companies more time to adjust current services and to introduce new efficient and effective services for EPR. 

3.6       This consultation on the 2024 regulations will apply UK wide. They will revoke and replace the 2023 Regulations as well as Producer Responsibility Obligations Regulations 2007.

3.7       The draft Regulations include provisions to:

-       Enable the appointment of a Scheme Administrator.

-       Allow a Scheme Administrator to raise fees from obligated producers to cover local authority costs for the management of household and binned packaging waste, the costs of public information campaigns, and its operational costs.

-       Set recycling targets on producers covering all types of packaging waste (i.e., primary, shipment, secondary, tertiary; household and non-household). • Require certain types of packaging to be labelled to indicate recyclability.

-       Introduce a mandatory takeback and recycling requirement for fibre-based composite cups.

-       Require all reprocessors and exporters of packaging waste to register with a regulator and to report data, and, for those that choose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Committee was referred to an update report on the DfC response which had been presented to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee at its September meeting regarding rent control measures.

            The Members were reminded that this matter had been discussed at the People and Communities meeting in January 2023, where it had been agreed that the Council would write to the Permanent Secretary in the Department for Communities in relation to the Department for Communities Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022 – update on Powers for Council commencing April 2023. The Committee was asked to note that subsequently a report had been submitted to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Members of the People and Communities Committee were being asked to note the response and this reporting line.

            The Committee noted the response from the Department for Communities and the update report presented to City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that Belfast Healthy Cities had contacted the Council on 4thOctober seeking to extend an invitation for the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the People and Communities Committee (or their nominee) to attend the 2023 WHO Healthy Cities Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference.

            He reported that this year marked the 35th anniversary of the movement.  The Conference was being held from 21st to 23rd November in the historic city of Utrecht, with the theme “Health and well-being for all: celebrating 35 years of the Healthy Cities Movement”.

            Only one political representative from Belfast was asked to attend, three BHC staff and a BHC Board Member would also be in attendance.  The cost of attendance per person was £900/£1,100, this included return flights to Utrecht, 4 nights’ accommodation and subsistence.

            The Committee was advised that the cost would have to be taken from Council Budgets as it was not allowed for within the existing departmental budgets.

            The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would represent the Council at the WHO European Healthy Cities Network Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference scheduled to be held from 21st – 23rdNovember 2023 in Utrecht, Netherlands at an approximate cost of £900.00/£1,100.00, with the cost being sourced from Council budgets.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To provide a report as requested by Councillor Black at Council on 4 September 2023 in relation to the operation of the Páirc an Lonnáinand the reinstatement of the temporary facility management agreement that had previously been in place.

1.2       To agree an approach to local management and programming of the facility.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       That Council enters into a five-year Agreement with Falls Residents Association to enable local operation of the site, to include keyholding, litter picking and community programming which will maximise the opportunities from the capital investment and minimise the negative impact which anti-social behaviour had on the area prior to the site development.

2.2       That an annual programming budget of £15,000 is allocated for all new parks.

2.3       Where Council approves management arrangements with a local organisation, this budget is made available to the Agreement holder, subject to officer approval of a planned programme and subsequent reporting.

2.4       If People & Communities Committee are in agreement with the suggested approach of providing £15k pa funding for all new parks, then this matter should be referred to Strategic Policy & Resources Committee for consideration as part of the estimates process.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       People and Communities Committee of 6 November 2018, within a report on asset acquisition, approved the establishment of a bespoke management arrangement at the Building Successful Communities regeneration project at Páirc an Lonnáin. 

3.2       Officers worked with the local community organisation and developed a key holding agreement which supported access and activity at the site outside normal park opening hours. The group have been providing key holding for the site and continue to deliver a diverse range of programmes.

3.3       Whilst the Agreement holder is undertaking duties previously undertaken by Open Spaces and Street Scene operatives, the key holding Agreement does not include an annual amount which Council would provide to the Agreement holder.  Following opening of the regenerated park, Council provided financial support of £15,000 for the initial year of operation for evidenced activity programming costs.  Council provided further financial support of approximately £2,000 through Parks Outreach budgets for Halloween and Christmas activity in 2022.  No further payments have been made to the group. 

3.4       The work of this group at the site is saving Council revenue budget in terms of litter collection and maintenance, whilst their work in promoting positive animation at the site also safeguards against ASB behaviour and damage/repair costs which are high at nearby sites such as Dunville and Falls Parks. The group is currently receiving no funding from council and a revised Agreement would remedy this situation and ensure local supervision and community operation of the site.

3.5       Officers have recognised the need for significant growth in budgets to support operational and maintenance activity at all new parks.  It is also important that specific budgets are in place to animate new spaces to ensure achievement of planned outcomes from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To provide members of the People and Communities Committee with an update on the issues raised at the Council Meeting on Monday 4 September 2023 regarding the Responsible Dog Ownership – Update Report (dated 8 August 2023). The Council agreed that the minute be taken back to the Committee for further consideration, and to allow further information on the issue to be provided.

1.2       Members are reminded that at the Committee of 11th September 2023 the following decision was agreed: 

·        agreed to defer consideration of the minute to the October meeting, to enable the Director to prepare a report on the available options regarding fines;

·        agreed to submit a report to a future meeting considering the Council undertaking a feasibility study on providing street bins in areas where fouling had been a persistent problem, including consideration of the erection of lamppost bins in certain hotspots areas; and

·        requested an update on FIDO machines.    

1.3       In addition to the noted actions, this report provides more detail about signage and Dog Enclosures in Parks.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Note the updates on the issues raised at Council on 4 September 2023 in relation to fines and signage;

·        Note the update on New FIDO machines and

·        note that a further report will be brought back on the other items in relation to a feasibility study on street bins;

·        Update on dog enclosures in Clement Wilson Park, Falls Park and Orangefield Park will be provided at the next round of Area Working Groups.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       At the Council meeting on 4 September 2023 officers were asked if it would be possible to have an incremental increase for the Fixed Penalty Notice fines for repeat offenders. Officers have consulted with Legal Services and there is no provision within the legislation to allow for incremental increases to fines.

3.2       There is provision within the legislation to pursue a case in court, rather than giving the alleged offender the opportunity to accept and pay a Fixed Penalty Notice fine. The maximum fine in court is £1000. Officers will always have regard to the option of prosecuting any repeat offender identified as part of the graduated approach to enforcement.

            Signage

3.3       There is a substantial number of signs for dog fouling throughout the City and they are concentrated in areas that have been identified as hotspots. Most signs also contain information about the Fixed Penalty Notice fine for other offences including littering.

3.4       For Members’ information, if a change to the fine for the dog fouling Fixed Penalty Notice is introduced, Legal Services has confirmed there is no legislative requirement to amend all the signs immediately. A rolling programme would be sufficient and would not impact on our ability to take formal action should an individual fail to pay the fine.

3.5       The City Services team are considering best way to review signage and consider a budget and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Committee agreed to the erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at Cavanmore Gardens, Wolfhill Gardens, Wolfhill Link, Millview Court, Westrock Crescent Gransha Way and The Manor.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To consider if a street survey of occupiers will be carried out for Cardigan Drive and Dunblane Avenue relating to the erection of dual language street signs where an objection has been received from an Elected Member representing the relevant District Electoral Area.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Members are asked to consider the report and the objections raised in relation to applications for dual language street signs received for Cardigan Drive and Dunblane Avenue and either:

a)     Agree that a survey of occupiers be carried out on the streets identified;

            Or

b)     Agree that no survey will be carried out on the grounds of the potential adverse impacts identified by the objections and close these applications

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The power for the Council to consider applications to erect a second street nameplate in a language other than English is contained in Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1995.

3.2       The procedures developed under the revised Dual Language Street Sign Policy involves a notification of applications to Elected Members.  The purpose of this notification is to allow members to identify those applications in their DEA or the city centre in respect of which it may be appropriate for the Council to exercise its residual discretion not to apply the Policy due to the local context.

3.3       In this regard objections have been received for the following applications: -

3.4       Councillor Doran has provided the following statements in relation to these objections: -.

Ø  ‘Dunblane Avenue is a mixed and diverse community, and I have strong concerns that the proposal to add an Irish street name to Dunblane Avenue would have a strongly negative impact on community relations within the area’.

Ø  ‘Cardigan Drive has a mixed and diverse community in and around it, and I have reservations that the proposal to add an Irish street name to Cardigan Drive would have a negative impact on community relations within and surrounding the area’.

3.5       Members are also reminded that each application is subject to an initial assessment by officers for any potential adverse impacts on equality, good relations and rural needs. This assessment is carried out when the application is being processed and where any adverse impacts are identified that information will be brought to Committee.’

3.6       The initial assessments were carried out by officers for Dunblane Avenue and Cardigan Drive and no potential adverse impacts were identified through this process.

3.7       These applications are being brought to Committee to determine if a survey of residents of these streets will take place, considering this information and the objections received from Councillor Doran.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.8       If it is decided to carry out the survey, the resulting tasks are included within the normal resources for the process.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To consider the results of the resurvey of residents in Wynchurch Avenue relating to an application for the erection of dual language streets signs in Irish. Members are reminded that the decision to resurvey the occupiers of this street was approved at a Committee meeting on 13th June 2023 and subsequently ratified by full Council on 3rd July 2023.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        consider the contents of this report and determine if a second street nameplate in Irish is to be erected at Wynchurch Avenue.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The Council may erect a second street nameplate in a language other than English pursuant to Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1995.

3.2       Members are asked to consider the following application to erect a second street nameplate showing the name of the street expressed in a language other than English. The second language is Irish.

3.3

3.4       The translation was authenticated by Queens University, the approved translator for Belfast City Council.

3.5       At the meeting of the Council’s People and Communities Committee on 13th June, the Elected Members considered the application from an occupier of Wynchurch Avenue to erect a street nameplate in Irish, in addition to the English name. The original survey of occupiers for this application took place between 9th March 2023 and 10th April 2023 and obtained the following results:

3.6       Original Survey – 113 Occupiers Surveyed

·        20 occupiers (17.70%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        30 occupiers (26.55%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        4 occupiers (3.54%) had no preference either way.

·        59 occupiers (52.21%) did not respond to the survey.

3.7       Exercising the residual discretion afforded to it, the Committee decided that a resurvey of the occupiers of the street should be carried out and this decision was ratified by full Council on 3rd July 2023.

3.8       A resurvey of Wynchurch Avenue took place between 8th August 2023 and 4th September 2023 and the outcome is reported below.

3.9       In accordance with the Council’s policy for the erection of dual language street signs, surveys of all persons appearing on the electoral register plus owners or tenants in actual possession of commercial premises, on Wynchurch Avenue were carried out and the following responses were received.

3.10      Re-survey – 113 Occupiers Surveyed

·        17 occupiers (15.04%%) were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        32 occupiers (28.32%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

·        2 occupiers (1.77%) had no preference either way.

·        62 occupiers (54.87%) did not respond to the survey.

3.11      One survey response which was not in favour of the erection of the dual language street sign was received after  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Director of Resources and Fleet provided the Members with a verbal update regarding the changes to bin and box collections over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.  She reported that for collections carried out by Council – black, brown, blue bins, glass collection and wheelie box triple stack boxes, the revised collections would be as follows:

            She explained that the aim was to collect as many bins as possible on the rescheduled collection date, with bins having to be out by 7.00 a.m., should they not be emptied they should remain out for collection over each weekend.

            For collections carried out by Bryson Recycling - two box kerbside sort scheme – revised collections would be as follows:

            The Director reported that all other collections over the holiday period would be unaffected and would be collected on the normal collection day.  In addition, commercial customers would be advised separately of the changes to collections.

            The Council’s website, social media channels and Bin-Ovation app would be updated accordingly with more information, also available here

            The Director also advised a site visit and Waste Management information sessions were currently being scheduled for the Members, the details of which would be e-mailed in due course.

Noted.