Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Chairman (Councillor D. Dodds) and Councillors Crozier and Smyth.

            The Committee was advised that the funeral of Ms. Lisa McMurray, a former employee of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, would be taking place later in the day.  The Committee agreed that a letter expressing its condolences and deepest sympathy on the death of Ms. McMurray be forwarded to the family circle.

            The Director of Legal Services reminded the Committee that, on 4th September, 2006, a fatal accident had occurred at the former Dargan Road Landfill Site, which had resulted in the death of Mr. Ashley Cunningham.  He reported that, following the conclusion of a formal investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, prosecution upon indictment had been initiated against the Council.  The case had been heard earlier that day at the Belfast Crown Court and, on behalf of the Council, he had pleaded guilty to the charge.  A further hearing would take place on 23rd January when the Council would be sentenced.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and noted also that the Chief Executive and the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor (Councillor Hartley) had sought a meeting with members of Mr. Cunningham’s family to express the sincerest condolences of the Council.

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the process for the making of appointments to the Board of the new Northern Ireland Library Authority.  The Minister had requested each Council to provide, by 30th January, completed application forms from between two and four Councillors who wished to be considered for appointment and who met the specified criteria.  The appointment of Members was covered by the Libraries Act which provided for reserve places for the Local Government sector but did not give Councils direct nominating rights.  Therefore, since places were not guaranteed, the Council’s nominees could not be determined using the proportionality process.

            The Head of Committee and Members’ Services explained that appointment to the Board would provide Members with the opportunity to become involved in an innovatory arrangement which aimed to deliver a robust and responsive library service relevant to the needs of a modern society.  Given that and the fact that there was no sustainable manner by which the Council could differentiate between interested Members, it was considered reasonable for the Council to submit to the Minister all completed applications which were received.  To date expressions of interest had been received from five Members, viz., Councillor Crozier, McCarthy, Mullaghan, Rodgers and Rodway.

            The Committee agreed to authorise the submission to the Minister of all completed application forms received from Members for appointment to the Board of the Library Authority.

            The Director of Corporate Services submitted the undernoted report which had been prepared in connection with the estimated expenditure of the Council for the year 2009/2010:

“Purpose

      The purpose of this report is to request the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to fix the cash limits of the Council’s various committees for 2009/10 and to approve the estimates for the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for 2009/10.

Relevant Background Information

      Section 53(2) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 and Regulation 2 of the Local Government Annual Budget (SR & O 1973 No 130) require that this Council:

(a)  consider and approve estimates for the year 2009/2010,

(b)authorise the expenditure included in those estimates, and,

(c)  fix the amount estimated to be raised by means of a District Rate.

      The Council is also required to fix this District Rate not later than 15 February 2009.

      The key purposes of agreeing the revenue estimates are as follows:

·         To establish what the Council can afford to spend in 2009/10.

·         To agree the cash limit for each of the Council’s committees.

·         To agree the district rate for 2009/10.

·         To ensure that the Council’s money is aligned to deliver the priorities set by Members.

      There can be little doubt that preparation of the 2009/10 budget has been the most difficult challenge for many years. The current economic downturn could be the worst for a generation with councils facing a ‘double whammy’ of lower income and higher demand for services. During recent months I have reported to Committee on several occasions on the difficulties which the Council is experiencing with regard to the current year’s budget. Specifically the loss of external income, utility costs, spending on unbudgeted items and loss of investment income are all having a negative influence on our ability to live within budget. These issues, when combined with the ongoing difficulties with Land and Property Services in relation to rate income, have placed the Council in an almost impossible situation with regard to maintaining service delivery but at the same time not placing an unacceptable burden on the ratepayer. It is acknowledged that although District Councils are under considerable stress regional government has responded by freezing the regional rate and providing compensation on capping so that the overall rate increase to the public will be kept to a minimum.

      The most up to date information available from Land and Property Services indicates a district rate increase of 8.59% for 2009/10. The table below shows the impact of this recommended increase on average valued property types.

      There have been a number of key internal and external drivers for this year’s estimates and these are discussed below.

Regional Rate

      In 2008/09, the Minister of Finance and Personnel froze the regional rate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a