Agenda and draft minutes

An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor Maghie.

            The minutes of the meeting of 14th April were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 5th May, subject to the amendment of the decision under the heading ‘Integrated Advice Partnership and Community Support Funding 2026/27’ to reflect that the Committee had agreed to support ‘Option 1’, as opposed to ‘Option 2’, in respect of the dispersal of the ‘uplift funding’.

Councillor Doran declared an interest in respect of the item ‘Summer Scheme Programme’ in that he was associated with groups in receipt of funding under the terms of the programme. He left the meeting whilst the matter was under consideration. 

            The information contained in the report associated with the following three items was restricted under Part 1, Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (NI) 2014.

      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.

The Committee considered correspondence which had been received from the Market Development Association (MDA) requesting that the Council consider entering into a process to enable the transfer of the management of the Market Community Centre to the MDA through a Community Asset Transfer arrangement.

The Committee agreed that officers, supported by staff from the Estates Management Unit, would engage further with the MDA to support the development of a business case. It was noted that a report outlining a range of options would be submitted for consideration in due course.

The Committee considered a report in respect of the above-mentioned matter, together with several appendices related to the report.

After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor Flynn,

Seconded by Councillor R. Brooks and

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to adopt the recommendations as set out within the report, with the exception of 2.1, insofar as it relates to the provision of litter bins. Such a deferral would enable a report to be submitted providing further information and data. In addition, the Committee notes the growth proposals outlined within the report and the process by which they will be considered as part of the rate-setting process; and requests that a report be submitted to detail any capital costs associated with adapting additional areas within the Council’s estate for the purposes of emptying and cleaning compact sweepers and dog waste collection machines.

The Committee acceded to a request which had been received from representatives of Benview Community Centre to provide £800 in rental costs to enable the holding of a two-week summer scheme to be delivered by the Council’s Play Development Team.

            Further to the decision of the Standards and Business Committee of 28th April, the Committee considered a Motion in respect of the above-mentioned matter, which had been proposed by Councillor Bower and seconded by Councillor Maghie. The Motion is set out hereunder:

“This Council recognises the profound importance of public acts of remembrance for people grieving for friends and family members across Belfast. This Council wishes to support those who have experienced loss and encourage safe and environmentally friendly acts of public remembrance within its spaces. Accordingly, the Council resolves to bring back a report that will:

·        explore implementing designated memorial spaces in all parks;

·        consider environmentally friendly ways for remembrance events, including 'ascent' style events, such as permanent or bookable bubble stations, kite festivals, and native butterfly releases; and

·        map out how to enhance the support council gives to grieving families, for example, by developing a downloadable remembrance guide to include ideas of eco-friendly ways to mark their loss personally or publicly.”

After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor Bower,

Seconded by Councillor Abernethy and

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to adopt the Motion and agrees further that options relating to the planting of wild flowers and the provision of pet memorials be explored also within a report to be considered at a future meeting. 

The Committee noted the contents of the year-end progress report relating to the agreed actions contained within the 2025/26 Committee Plan.

The Committee approved the Committee Plan and its associated actions and priorities for 2026/27.

            The Committee agreed to the erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at Caffrey Drive, River Close, Summerhill Walk, Lagmore View Manor, Ludlow Square, Serpentine Gardens, Glencolin Park and Blacks Court.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

            At the SP&R meeting on 20th March 2026 officers were asked to provide a report to review the data collection process for conducting surveys associated with dual language street sign applications and to consider alternatives to increase inclusiveness. 

2.0       Recommendation

            Members are asked to consider the process for data collection for conducting surveys in relation to dual language street sign applications and to agree that the current process for domestic properties utilizing the electoral list is continued.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members are advised of the request by the SP&R Committee in March for a report to review how data relating to dual language street sign surveys is collected and to consider options to make the process more inclusive. Concerns were raised regarding occupants, not on the electoral roll, being unable to participate in street surveys, and individuals receiving two surveys for their household.

            Purpose of Street Survey

3.2       Both the legislation and policy regarding dual language street signage requires Council to have regard to the views on the matter expressed by the occupiers of premises in that street.

3.3       The legislation states: ‘In deciding whether and, if so, how to exercise its powers [to erect a nameplate expressing the name of the street in a language other than English] in relation to any street, a council shall have regard to any views on the matter expressed by the occupiers of premises in that street.’

3.4       Specifically in relation to the policy it states, ‘Where fifteen percent or more of the Occupiers of that street have indicated that they are in favour of the erection of a second language street sign, then such a sign may be erected, subject to the residual discretion of the Council’. The policy further provides the following areas that may be considered when making this decision.

3.5      

(a)   the views of the Occupiers of the street;

(b)   the results of the initial assessment for the application, including any identified potential adverse impacts on equality, good relations and rural needs;

(c)   consideration of the local context of the application;

(d)   any other Council policies or strategies related to the application; and

(e)   all material considerations relating to the application

            Current Survey Process

3.6       The dual language street signs policy requires officers to canvass‘Occupiers’ of a streetto seektheirviewsonthe requestto erecta streetsignina secondspecifiedlanguage.

3.7       In line withthepolicy‘Occupiers’areanypersonwhosenameappearsinthe currentElectoralRegister (over the age of 18) plusthe ownersor tenantsinactualpossessionofcommercial premises,butnotemployeesin suchpremises.

3.8       In addition, the policy requires that eachsurveyshouldhavea uniqueidentifying number and that each surveyresponsereceivedby theCouncilfor thatapplicationshould becross-referencedagainstthatuniqueidentifier. The policy indicates thatCouncilmay chooseto  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       This report is provided in response to a request from a member at the P&C Committee meeting on 14th March 26 for more details to be provided for the dual language street sign application at University Street to review the decision taken to close the application.

            In addition, following the meeting of council on 5th May, survey figures are provided for all applications that did not meet the 15% threshold in favour of a proposal to erect dual language street signs, the list of which was provided at April P&C Committee.

2.0       Recommendation

            University Street

2.1

1.     Members are asked to consider the information provided and the survey results for the dual language street sign application for University Street which failed to meet the 15% threshold at street survey and either: -

(a)   Agree the application should remain closed; or 

(b)   Advise officers on any other course of action with regard to this application.

2.2      

2.     Members are also asked to note:

(a)   the results of the surveys that have been closed for all other applications failing to meet the 15% threshold of those in favour of a dual language street sign.

(b)   that applications failing to meet the 15% threshold will be included in future standard reports for information where applications are being considered by members.

  3.0     Main Report

            University Street

3.1       The dual language street sign application for University Street requesting a second language in Irish was received on 22nd September 2022. The request was made by Cllr McKeown who is member for the District Electoral Area of Botanic. A further application was received for the same street on 4th April 2025 from Cllr McKay.

3.2       The survey of occupiers on the street was conducted between23rd January 2025 and 7th February 2025.v

3.3       The full results of the survey are detailed in the table below with additional breakdown between domestic and non-domestic surveys as this was an issue raised in the discussion at Committee: -

3.4       The policy on dual language street signs states as follows: -

            ‘If the minimum threshold of fifteen percent is not met, the Applicant will be given two weeks to advise the Council of any special circumstances in relation to the application. If such special circumstances relate to the processing of a survey, the Strategic Director of Place and Economy, in conjunction with the City Solicitor and Director of Legal and Civic Services will determine whether such exceptional circumstances exist to refer the matter to Committee. Where exceptional circumstances relate to matters other than the processing of a survey, the matter will be referred to Committee. If there are no special circumstances, the application will end.’

3.5       In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5c

The Committee agreed to the naming of Kavanagh Court as a new street and to the naming of Haddo Place as a continuation to an existing street.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the progress achieved since the introduction of the ‘One Million Trees’ initiative in 2020. It was reported that the Council, in conjunction with its partners, had planted a total of 293,516 new trees and 4,232 linear metres of hedging had been created since the programme began and the initiative remained on target to achieve the key aim of providing 30% tree canopy coverage across Belfast by 2050.

In relation to the Motion regarding the provision of Community Orchards, which had been adopted in March, 2026, the Council had established several small community orchards within Ardoyne, one of which lay within the grounds of a local day nursery, and one at a neighbouring community centre. Furthermore, a small community orchard had been established in the east of the city in conjunction with the L'Arche organisation, a group which worked directly with a network of communities and people with and without learning difficulties.

The Committee noted the information and congratulated officers on the progress made to date relating to the One Million Trees Initiative and Community Orchards project.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Playground Improvement Programme for 2025/26, and an outline of the work proposed for 2026/27. It was noted that the improvement work on each playground, which had been prioritised through an independent Play Value and Accessibility Audit, would be funded through the capital programme, with an allocation of £580,000 earmarked for each of the four sites.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that refurbishment work be undertaken at the following playgrounds under the Playground Improvement Programme 2026/27, viz., Mount Eagles, Lemberg Street, Willowbank and Browns Square.

The Committee noted the information set out within the above-mentioned report.

In addition, it was agreed that officers would consider further proposals to improve ‘play value’ and accessibility across the city and to enhance the distribution of facilities. It was agreed further that officers would examine the costs associated with producing an online map showing accessibility to Council-maintained playgrounds and would link in with Playboard NI regarding the creation of a regional map.

            The Committee agreed to grant permission for the hosting of the EID Festival in the Botanic Gardens, subject to the applicants adhering to all of the stipulations set out within the report. In addition, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the recommendations presented for the allocation of specific days for the delivery of tours at Friar’s Bush Burial Ground to enable further discussions to be undertaken with the two groups concerned. 

The Committee noted the information as set out within the above-mentioned report.

Arising from discussion, the Committee agreed that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 22nd May, be requested to consider providing additional funding to ensure that the maximum Summer Scheme Small Grant be awarded to all organisations which had scored 50 or over within the original assessment, the costs in respect of which would be outlined within the subsequent report.

            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 proposals to deliver two funding programmes in partnership with sports organisations that will support delivery of the City of Sport Strategy and increase participation in sport and physical activity.  The Funding will also help meet the outcomes of the Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy

2.0     Recommendations

2.1     Members are asked to note the contents of the report and;

·        Note that £80,000 underspend from the Support for Sport Fund (Tranche 2) is reallocated to the City of Sport Funding pot;

·        Agree that the total funding pot for the City of Sport Funding Programme £220,000 which includes £140,000 already approved by members and is allocated as follows

·        Showcase Events - £100,000 is allocated to sporting organisations for showcase event, with whom they have submitted proposals.

·        Members approve the funding for the showcase events already included in this report

·        Members approve that officers work with other sporting organisations and allocate the remaining showcase event budget following any relevant due diligence process is followed.

·        Grassroots Programme - £120,000 is allocated through a closed call expression of interest process with sporting bodies engaged directly to make applications up to a maximum of £10,000.

3.0     Main report

31      ACES Europe have confirmed that Belfast was successful in securing the designation of European City of Sport for 2026 (Jan -Dec).  ACES is a non-profit association based in Brussels and award this accolade each year, recognising the best cities, towns and regions across Europe to take part in sport.  The successful bid will give the city an opportunity to showcase the excellent sports and leisure facilities provided by Belfast City Council along with the rich sporting heritage of the city.

3.2     Following a successful community launch weekend in late January 2026, our focus has now moved from application to delivery and officers are continuing to work with relevant internal services and strategic partners to expand the outline programme of activities and branding opportunities into a robust detailed programme. 

3.3     Obligations to ACES as a designated European City of Sport for 2026. 

          It is important to note that as a European City of Sport, Belfast must comply with the general regulations as set out by ACES for successful cities these in summary include: 

3.4     Quarterly reporting submission of reports to ACES commencing from 1 Apr 2026 and focusing on the noted requirements.  Each report should include:

·        A summary of the activities carried out,

·        Photographic material,

·        Media coverage and press impact.

3.5     These reports allow ACES to monitor the correct use and promotion of the title, ensure compliance with the Regulations, and coordinate actions and events in the most effective manner.  Therefore, it is important that we ensure the application is followed  with clear, tangible actions that will meet the aims of the programme which, more importantly, will have a positive outcome for our residents.

3.6     One of the most important aspects of the City of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5j

The Committee approved responses (1) and (2) to the above-mentioned consultations and to their onward submission to The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The responses can be accessed here.

The Committee approved responses (1), (2) and (3) to the above-mentioned consultation exercised and to their onward submission to The Office for Product Safety and Standards. The responses can be accessed here.

The Committee considered correspondence which had been received from Belfast Healthy Cities Network inviting the Chairperson, or his nominee, to attend the European Healthy Cities Network Annual Business Meeting in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, from 16th to 18th June.

The Committee agreed that the invitation be drawn to the attention of the incoming Chairperson and authorised their attendance, or their nominee, at the meeting, the costs in respect of which were estimated to be in the region of £1,000.

            The Committee agreed to defer, to its meeting in June, consideration of the above-mentioned report to enable officers to consider the feasibility of the Council entering into three-year pitch partnership agreements and the impact, if any, such an amendment might have upon the Pitches Strategy. 

            At the request of Councillor McKeown, the Committee agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting outlining how the Council currently disposes of excess plants which could be recycled and/or re-used. The report would explore also how local communities might access and reuse such plants and how they could be used to support initiatives such as ‘Belfast in Bloom’ and the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Officers would consider also how local ‘Men’s Sheds’ initiatives might avail of fallen wood or trees from to support their activities.

            At the request of Councillor R-M Donnelly, the Committee agreed that officers would examine the feasibility of entering into a key-holding agreement with the Short Strand Community Forum to manage the locking of gates at Mountford Play Park.