Agenda and minutes

            In accordance with Standing Order 9, the Lord Mayor read a passage from the Scriptures.

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors McCann, McClenaghan, Moore, O’Reilly and Rodway.

Moved by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor Rodgers),

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Kelly) and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Monthly Meeting of the Council of 1st April be taken as read and signed as correct.

Moved by Councillor D. Dodds,

Seconded by Councillor M. Browne,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 18th April be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Growing the Rates Base –

Future Importance of Tall Buildings in Belfast

            Moved by Councillor Newton,

            Seconded by Councillor Stoker and

      Resolved – That the decision under the heading “Growing the Rates Base – Future Importance of Tall Buildings in Belfast” be amended to provide that the position paper includes the following – that the Council seeks to preserve the City’s built heritage, improve the quality of new build to provide iconic and distinctive buildings and that such buildings should be clustered within the City centre in order to promote economic growth.

Amendment

Post Office Consultation

            At the request of Councillor Smyth, the Council agreed that the decision under the heading “Post Office Consultation” be amended to provide that a letter be forwarded to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister expressing the Council’s concern and seeking the support of the Assembly to its opposition at the proposed Post Office closures.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendments, the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 18th April were approved and adopted.

            Moved by Councillor Stoker,

            Seconded by Councillor M. Browne,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 10th and 22nd April be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Belfast Multi-Sports Stadium

            Moved by Councillor D. Browne,

            Seconded by Councillor Humphrey,

      That the decision of the 22nd April under the “Belfast Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium” be amended to provide that recommendation 3 as set out in the report adopted by the Committee be deleted and replaced with the following – that the outline business case prepared by the consultants on the viability of a Belfast Stadium be released to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and other relevant agencies but without reference to the sites in Belfast under consideration in order to enable additional information to be obtained in relation to the shortlist of suitable sites, options and detailed costs on the upgrading of the three existing stadia and the economic and other implications for Belfast should the Maze development proceed.

            On a vote by show of hands twenty-five Members voted for the amendment and ten against and it was accordingly declared carried.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendment, the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 10th and 22nd April were approved and adopted.

            Moved by Councillor M. Browne,

            Seconded by Councillor Wilson,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 9th April be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Rapid Transit Study

            Moved by Councillor Crozier,

            Seconded by Councillor Convery and

      Resolved – That the decision under the heading “Rapid Transit Study” to note the contents of a presentation by the Roads Service be amended to provide that the Roads Service be requested to make a further presentation specifically in relation to proposals to alleviate the traffic congestion in the York Street, Dunbar Link and West Link area of the City.

Request for Matter to be Taken

Back for Further Consideration

            Community Festivals Fund

            At the request of Councillor Stoker, the Chairman (Councillor M. Browne), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute under the heading “Community Festivals Fund” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Adoption of Minutes

            The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Development Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 9th April be approved and adopted, subject to:

(i)   the amendment of the minute under the heading “Rapid Transit Study” to provide that the Roads Service be requested to make a further presentation specifically in relation to proposals to alleviate traffic congestion in the York Street, Dunbar Link and West Link area of the City; and

(ii)  the omission of the minute under heading “Community Festivals Fund” which, at the request of Councillor Stoker, is taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            Moved by Councillor Mullaghan,

            Seconded by Councillor O’Neill and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 2nd April be approved and adopted.

            Moved by Councillor Kirkpatrick,

            Seconded by Councillor Stalford and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Licensing Committee of 16th April, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

            Moved by Councillor Lavery,

            Seconded by Councillor Campbell,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 3rd, 10th and 17th April, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be approved and adopted.

Amendment

Historic Buildings List –

Loopbridge Mill

            Moved by Councillor Long,

            Seconded by Councillor Campbell and

      Resolved – That the decision of 3rd April under the heading “Loopbridge Mill” be amended to provide that a letter be forwarded to the Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service advising of the Council’s support for the listing of the property on the basis of its important historic and cultural significance.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendment, the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 3rd, 10th and 17th April, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, were approved and adopted.

Levels of Underage Drinking in Belfast

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor P. Maskey proposed:

“That this council expresses concern at the levels of underage drinking in Belfast, calls on the Minister for Social Development to introduce effective measures to help combat alcohol misuse, including the clear and identifiable marking of carrier bags provided by off-licences.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Attwood. 

            At the request of Councillor McCausland and with the permission of the Council, the proposer agreed to amend the Notice of Motion and that it be replaced with the following:

“This Council expresses concern at the levels of underage drinking in Belfast and calls upon the Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to bring forward a comprehensive and coherent cross-Departmental strategy to combat alcohol misuse, including education, legislation and models of good practice elsewhere.  The Council calls also for the clear and identifiable marking of carrier bags provided by off-licences and for the introduction of more sensible opening hours.”

            The Notice of Motion, as amended, was thereupon put to the Council and passed unanimously.