Agenda and minutes

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

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

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Crozier, Kirkpatrick, Kyle, Long, McMillen, Newton, Rodway and Stoker.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Crozier, Kirkpatrick, Kyle, Long, McMillen, Newton, Rodway and Stoker.

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

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Humphrey) and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Council of 1st June be taken as read and signed as correct.

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

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Humphrey) and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Council of 1st June be taken as read and signed as correct.

            The Lord Mayor extended, on behalf of the Council, a warm welcome to Councillor Fred Rodgers who had been appointed to replace former Councillor Fred Cobain in the Oldpark District Electoral Area.

            The Lord Mayor extended, on behalf of the Council, a warm welcome to Councillor Fred Rodgers who had been appointed to replace former Councillor Fred Cobain in the Oldpark District Electoral Area.

            The Council was advised that notification had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping indicating that Councillor Campbell would replace Councillor Humphrey as Deputy Chairman of the Development Committee.

            The Council approved the aforementioned change.

            The Council was advised that notification had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping indicating that Councillor Campbell would replace Councillor Humphrey as Deputy Chairman of the Development Committee.

            The Council approved the aforementioned change.

            The Council was advised that notification had been received from the Ulster Unionist Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Fred Rodgers to replace:

·         Councillor McCoubrey on the Health and Environmental Services Committee; and

·         Councillor McGimpsey on both the Development and Licensing Committees.

            In addition, Councillor F. Rodgers would fill the vacancy on the Town Planning Committee, consequent upon the resignation of former Councillor Cobain.

            The Council approved the changes.

            The Council was advised that notification had been received from the Ulster Unionist Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Fred Rodgers to replace:

·         Councillor McCoubrey on the Health and Environmental Services Committee; and

·         Councillor McGimpsey on both the Development and Licensing Committees.

            In addition, Councillor F. Rodgers would fill the vacancy on the Town Planning Committee, consequent upon the resignation of former Councillor Cobain.

            The Council approved the changes.

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Social Democratic and Labour Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Mullaghan to replace Councillor Convery on the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

            In addition, correspondence had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Kingston to fill the vacancy on the Greater Shankill Partnership consequent upon the resignation of former Councillor D. Dodds.

            The Council approved the aforementioned changes.

            The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Social Democratic and Labour Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Mullaghan to replace Councillor Convery on the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

            In addition, correspondence had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Kingston to fill the vacancy on the Greater Shankill Partnership consequent upon the resignation of former Councillor D. Dodds.

            The Council approved the aforementioned changes.

Moved by Councillor J. Rodgers,

Seconded by Councillor D. Browne,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 4th and 18th June be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor J. Rodgers,

Seconded by Councillor D. Browne,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 4th and 18th June be approved and adopted.

            At the request of Councillor Kingston, the Deputy Chairman (Councillor J. Rodgers), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of the meeting of 18th June under the heading “Request for Use of the City Hall Grounds – Posters for Tomorrow” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            At the request of Councillor Kingston, the Deputy Chairman (Councillor J. Rodgers), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of the meeting of 18th June under the heading “Request for Use of the City Hall Grounds – Posters for Tomorrow” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            Arising out of discussion, it was agreed that briefings be offered on the aforementioned matter to the various Party Groupings.

            Arising out of discussion, it was agreed that briefings be offered on the aforementioned matter to the various Party Groupings.

            The minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 4th and 18th June were thereupon approved and adopted, subject to the omission of the minute of the meeting of 18th June under the heading “Request for Use of the City Hall Grounds – Posters for Tomorrow” which, at the request of Councillor Kingston, was taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

            The minutes of the proceedings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 4th and 18th June were thereupon approved and adopted, subject to the omission of the minute of the meeting of 18th June under the heading “Request for Use of the City Hall Grounds – Posters for Tomorrow” which, at the request of Councillor Kingston, was taken back to the Committee for further consideration.

Moved by Councillor O’Reilly,

Seconded by Councillor McCarthy and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 10th June be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor O’Reilly,

Seconded by Councillor McCarthy and

      Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 10th June be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor C. Maskey,

Seconded by Councillor Ekin,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 9th and 21st June be approved and adopted.

Moved by Councillor C. Maskey,

Seconded by Councillor Ekin,

      That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 9th and 21st June be approved and adopted.

            At the request of Councillor J. Rodgers, the Chairman (Councillor C. Maskey), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of the meeting of 9th June under the heading “Christmas Lights Switch-On 2010” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration and to enable representatives of the Belfast City Centre Management to address the Committee.

            At the request of Councillor J. Rodgers, the Chairman (Councillor C. Maskey), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of the meeting of 9th June under the heading “Christmas Lights Switch-On 2010” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration and to enable representatives of the Belfast City Centre Management to address the Committee.

Moved by Councillor McCausland,

Seconded by Councillor D. Browne and

      Resolved – That the decision of 9th June under the heading Benview Community Centre: Pre-School Provision be amended to provide that a pilot Play Club be introduced at the Benview Community Centre and that the scheme be extended during the same period to the Olympia and Whiterock Play Centres.

Moved by Councillor McCausland,

Seconded by Councillor D. Browne and

      Resolved – That the decision of 9th June under the heading Benview Community Centre: Pre-School Provision be amended to provide that a pilot Play Club be introduced at the Benview Community Centre and that the scheme be extended during the same period to the Olympia and Whiterock Play Centres.

            The minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 9th and 21st June were thereupon approved and adopted, subject to the foregoing omission and amendment.

            The minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 9th and 21st June were thereupon approved and adopted, subject to the foregoing omission and amendment.

Moved by Councillor Jones,

Seconded by Councillor Hendron and

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

Moved by Councillor Jones,

Seconded by Councillor Hendron and

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

Moved by the High Sheriff (Councillor Stalford),

Seconded by Councillor N. Kelly and

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

Moved by the High Sheriff (Councillor Stalford),

Seconded by Councillor N. Kelly and

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

Moved by Councillor Brownlee,

Seconded by Councillor Smyth and

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

Moved by Councillor Brownlee,

Seconded by Councillor Smyth and

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

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor B. Kelly proposed:

      “Belfast City Council supports the work of Autism NI and other Autism organisations in establishing equality of rights for individuals with Autism and campaigning for improved access to services.

      Belfast City Council supports the All-Party Assembly Group for Autism Private Members Bill for Autism which will address many areas of need in that it:

·         requires all government departments to plan joint protocols for ASD, e.g. joint funding of services within a regional strategy;

·         recognises Autism as a unique Social and Communication Disability and establishes it as an equality issue;

·         appoints an Autism Advocate with oversight duties on behalf of parents and individuals with ASD, e.g. review changes needed in existing legislation (DDA) and regulations (DLA);

·         requires the counting of individuals with ASD in Northern Ireland (essential for future planning);

·         requires the initiation of a public ASD awareness campaign; and

·         recognition of Voluntary and Community Sector as equal partners.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Jones.

            After discussion, the Notice of Motion was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.

In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor B. Kelly proposed:

      “Belfast City Council supports the work of Autism NI and other Autism organisations in establishing equality of rights for individuals with Autism and campaigning for improved access to services.

      Belfast City Council supports the All-Party Assembly Group for Autism Private Members Bill for Autism which will address many areas of need in that it:

·         requires all government departments to plan joint protocols for ASD, e.g. joint funding of services within a regional strategy;

·         recognises Autism as a unique Social and Communication Disability and establishes it as an equality issue;

·         appoints an Autism Advocate with oversight duties on behalf of parents and individuals with ASD, e.g. review changes needed in existing legislation (DDA) and regulations (DLA);

·         requires the counting of individuals with ASD in Northern Ireland (essential for future planning);

·         requires the initiation of a public ASD awareness campaign; and

·         recognition of Voluntary and Community Sector as equal partners.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Jones.

            After discussion, the Notice of Motion was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.

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

      “That this Council recognises the achievement of Paddy Barnes in winning the Gold medal in the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Moscow on Saturday, 12th June, 2010, this following his Bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and agrees to provide an appropriate reception, in the form of a finger buffet, for Paddy, his family and the wider boxing fraternity to coincide with the Belfast Boxing Exhibition which is being held in the East Entrance of the City Hall during September.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Mallon.

            Prior to the Notice of Motion being considered, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery) reminded the Council that Standing Order 11(e) specified that if the subject matter of any Motion of which Notice had been given comes within the Province of any Committee, upon being Moved and Seconded, it shall stand referred without discussion to that Committee or such other Committee as the Council may determine for consideration and report.

            Accordingly, the Lord Mayor indicated that the matter would be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee without debate.

Mr. Paddy Barnes

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

      “That this Council recognises the achievement of Paddy Barnes in winning the Gold medal in the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Moscow on Saturday, 12th June, 2010, this following his Bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and agrees to provide an appropriate reception, in the form of a finger buffet, for Paddy, his family and the wider boxing fraternity to coincide with the Belfast Boxing Exhibition which is being held in the East Entrance of the City Hall during September.”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Mallon.

            Prior to the Notice of Motion being considered, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery) reminded the Council that Standing Order 11(e) specified that if the subject matter of any Motion of which Notice had been given comes within the Province of any Committee, upon being Moved and Seconded, it shall stand referred without discussion to that Committee or such other Committee as the Council may determine for consideration and report.

            Accordingly, the Lord Mayor indicated that the matter would be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee without debate.

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín proposed:

      “Given the association which the City has with aid workers from Belfast and other parts of Ireland who took part in the recent aid convoy to Gaza, the Council agrees to:

1.   condemn the slaughter of humanitarian aid workers on the Gaza Aid Flotilla;

2.   call for an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza which is illegal under International Law; and

3.   demand a suspension of the European Union’s preferential trade agreement with Israel until it complies with all aspects of International Law”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Mhic Giolla Mhín.

            In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín proposed:

      “Given the association which the City has with aid workers from Belfast and other parts of Ireland who took part in the recent aid convoy to Gaza, the Council agrees to:

1.   condemn the slaughter of humanitarian aid workers on the Gaza Aid Flotilla;

2.   call for an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza which is illegal under International Law; and

3.   demand a suspension of the European Union’s preferential trade agreement with Israel until it complies with all aspects of International Law”

            The proposal was seconded by Councillor Mhic Giolla Mhín.

Moved by Councillor Hendron,

Seconded by Councillor N. Kelly,

      That the Notice of Motion standing in the name of Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín be replaced with the following:

      “That the Council:

1.   condemns totally the inappropriate actions by Israel towards the Humanitarian Aid Workers on the Gaza Aid Flotilla;

2.   recognises that every Nation has a right to defend itself but also has responsibility to respect and comply with International Law;

3.   calls on all sides to ensure that Humanitarian efforts in Gaza had progressed and that an immediate end to the blockade is facilitated;

4.   encourages all sides to fully and immediately commit to a peaceful resolution of the wider conflict in the region for the benefit of all who live there; and

5.   calls on Hamas to enter into negotiations with Israel for a permanent peace, based on a Two State Resolution, which recognises the right of the Palestinians and the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish State.”

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

            The Motion, as amended, was thereupon put to the meeting as the Substantive Motion.  On a vote by show of hands thirty-three Members voted for the Substantive Motion and none against and it was accordingly declared carried.

Moved by Councillor Hendron,

Seconded by Councillor N. Kelly,

      That the Notice of Motion standing in the name of Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín be replaced with the following:

      “That the Council:

1.   condemns totally the inappropriate actions by Israel towards the Humanitarian Aid Workers on the Gaza Aid Flotilla;

2.   recognises that every Nation has a right to defend itself but also has responsibility to respect and comply with International Law;

3.   calls on all sides to ensure that Humanitarian efforts in Gaza had progressed and that an immediate end to the blockade is facilitated;

4.   encourages all sides to fully and immediately commit to a peaceful resolution of the wider conflict in the region for the benefit of all who live there; and

5.   calls on Hamas to enter into negotiations with Israel for a permanent peace, based on a Two State Resolution, which recognises the right of the Palestinians and the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish State.”

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

            The Motion, as amended, was thereupon put to the meeting as the Substantive Motion.  On a vote by show of hands thirty-three Members voted for the Substantive Motion and none against and it was accordingly declared carried.