Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor McCann.

            The Chairman informed the Committee that this would be the last meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee which would be attended by Mr. Trevor Salmon in his capacity as Director of Corporate Services before retiring from the Council.  On behalf of the Members, he thanked Mr. Salmon for his services to and the work he had undertaken on behalf of the Council and wished him well in his retirement.

            Mr. Salmon thanked the Chairman for his kind remarks.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 7th August, it had agreed to receive a presentation from representatives of the Patient and Client Council.  It was reported that Ms. L. Skelly and Mr. R. Dixon, representing the organisation, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

            Ms. Skelly advised the Members that the Patient and Client Council, which had taken over from the former Regional Health and Social Services Councils, had been established on 1st April, 2009 as a result of the reorganisation of the Health Service in Northern Ireland.  She outlined the statutory functions of the new Body which were to:

·         engage with the public to obtain their views on any aspect of health and social care;

·         promote the involvement of patients, clients, carers and the public in the design, planning, commissioning and delivery of health and  social care;

·         provide assistance to people wishing to make a complaint relating to health and social care; and

·         provide advice and information to the public about health and social care services.

            She then reviewed the internal and external environments in which the organisation worked, its reporting structure, location and current work streams.

            After discussion, during which Ms. Skelly and Mr. Dixon answered a number of questions from the Members in relation to the Patient and Client Council’s budget and the provision of dental services, the Chairman thanked them for attending and they retired from the meeting.

            The Chief Executive submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“Purpose of Report

1.   The purpose of this report is to

(i)   provide Members with an update on the Titanic Signature Project;

(ii)  confirm that the conditions on which the Council offer of funding was made have now been  satisfied; and

(iii)seek approval for completion of the formal legal documentation.

Background

2.   Members will recall that at its meeting on 16th December 2008 the Committee considered a Due Diligence Report on the TSP project prepared by Deloittes, reviewing the Economic Appraisal for the project.  The Committee then agreed to commit a maximum of £10million towards the realisation of a £97million iconic Titanic Signature Project to be built in Titanic Quarter in the city.  This decision was ratified by Council on 5th January 2009.

3.   The Council decision was subject to the preparation of a legal agreement that committed the relevant parties to their share of the funding package (£43.5m from Government; £43.5m from the private sector; and £10m from the Council) and ensured that the risks to the public sector of cost overrun and non completion were minimised.

4.   The Council also sought an acknowledgement from Government that the Council’s contribution of £10m was a ‘once and for all’ commitment and that the Council should not be required to carry any funding risk (operational or capital) beyond that amount.

Key Issues

5.   At the Northern Ireland Executive meeting on 1st October 2009 the Executive agreed to proceed with its funding of the Titanic Signature Project.  In reaching that decision the Executive concluded that the guarantee arrangements to cover TQL’s (the private sector contributors to the project) should provide a substantial mitigation of the funding and operating risks.  In addition the Executive acknowledged that Belfast City Council should not be required to carry any funding risk (operational or capital) beyond its £10m donation and accepted that any additional financial risk for the completion of the project would be borne by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry.

6. DETI have now written to the Council by letter dated 5th October 2009 confirming the above, and further advising that their technical advisers to the project have confirmed that because TQL, at its own financial risk, has commenced work on the site in May, the project can be delivered by April 2012.  At present it is estimated that TQL have spent over £6m in carrying out the groundworks and piling required for the TSP building.  Belfast Harbour Commissioners have also confirmed their funding commitment to the project.

7.   Arthur Cox, specialist banking solicitors, were instructed to act for the Council by the Director of Legal Services and the detailed legal negotiations have now been completed.  The Director of Legal Services has confirmed that the Council’s interests have been satisfactorily secured in the various legal documents,  including the multi-party Funding Agreement, together with the under-pinning security documents and guarantee and assurance arrangements.  In particular, the Funding Agreement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

1.0Relevant Background Information

1.1Members will note that the key legislative framework governing local government finances in Northern Ireland is in Part V of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. Although this has been updated by subsequent legislation, the provisions on borrowing and council funds have remained substantially unchanged.

1.2Notwithstanding, it has been recognised for some time that this legislation needs to be updated to reflect modern accounting practices and, where appropriate, brought into line with best practice observed by local authorities in GB.

1.3Accordingly, in July 2009 the Department of the Environment published ‘The Draft Local Government (Finance) Bill’ consultation document. The closing date for written submissions is 31st October 2009.

2.0Key Issues

2.1The draft Finance Bill seeks to modernise the current legislative framework relating to local government finance and councillors’ remuneration in Northern Ireland. It sets out the parameters within which a district council may manage its finances and central government may regulate that activity.  The draft Bill aims to modernise the legislative framework for local government finance by introducing the following provisions:

·         removing the requirements for district councils to gain departmental approval for borrowings and the application of their funds or any proceeds from the sale of capital assets

·         introducing new financial powers including, for example,  the power to invest

·         introducing a prudential regime for capital finance

·         clarifying the nature of the general grant by replacing the two elements of the grant (i.e. the resources element and the de-rating element) with two separate grants – a rate support grant and a de-rating grant; and

·         extending to all government departments the general power which allows the Department of the Environment to pay grants to councils.

2.2In relation to updating the legislation regarding councillors’ remuneration, the draft Finance Bill enables the Department to make the following regulations:

·         requiring councils to make and publish a scheme of allowances; and

·         establishing a remuneration panel to advise the Minister of the Environment on councillors’ allowances.

2.3It is important to note that the draft Local Government (Finance) Bill is largely enabling legislation and the detail around the specific provisions referred to above will be outlined in subsequent subordinate legislation (i.e. detailed regulations).  Members will note that no regulations will be made without prior consultation with councils.

2.4In reviewing the draft Bill, the following observations should be made in relation to a number of key issues which need to be approached with caution by the Council.  These issues are examined in further detail within the draft Council response to the consultation document attached at Appendix 2.

·         Whilst the Finance Bill provides councils with more freedom to operate, it also introduces a level of central control which may not be appropriate and needs to be approached with caution by the Council.

·         Much of the Bill is replicating legislation which currently exists in GB.  Whilst it is accepted that the larger and more complex councils  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

            The Committee was informed that the undernoted requests for the use of the City Hall and the provision of hospitality had been received:

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th September, it had considered a report detailing possible projects for submission for funding under Peace III Priority 2.1 – Creating Shared Public Spaces.  The Committee had agreed that the Cultural Corridor and the Public Service Centre at Girdwood projects be further developed and submitted for funding and that further investigation be undertaken in relation to the HMS Caroline.

            The Council, at its meeting on 1st October, at the request of Councillor McCann, had agreed that the matter be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.  The Committee, at its meeting on 9th October, had agreed to affirm its previous decision regarding the projects to be submitted for funding and had agreed also that, in the meantime, discussions be held with the Party Groups in order to identify any further projects which could be developed and submitted for funding.

            The Director of Improvement advised the Committee that he had met with representatives of the Party Groups.  Support had been expressed for the inclusion of the Gasworks Bridge Project within the proposals to be further developed and submitted for funding, subject to agreement with the South Belfast Partnership Board, while a major project which was being developed at Templemore Avenue was felt worthy of support, subject to consultation with the representatives of the East Belfast Local Community Association.

            The Director of Improvement pointed out that he had contacted the representatives of the South Belfast Partnership Board and they were in agreement that the Gasworks Bridge Project should be included for submission for funding.  With regard to the project in Templemore Avenue, he indicated that, despite several attempts, he had been unable to contact representatives of the East Belfast Local Community Association and, given the time commitment required to develop the business cases and full costings of any projects selected for submission for funding, it would not be appropriate to include this project at this time.  He advised the Committee that a second tranche for funding was likely to take place in 2010 and that the consideration of projects for submission for funding could commence now so that when applications were requested the Council would have a prepared list of possible projects ready for submission.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that, in addition to those projects already selected, the Gasworks Bridge Project should be further developed and submitted to the Special European Union Programmes Body for funding under the Peace III Priority 2.1 – Creating Shared Public Spaces.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Budget and Transformation Panel of 16th October.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee have requested that they receive regular updates on budgetary performance throughout the year. This report will update Members on the current year’s budget at period 5, the forecast outturn for the financial year and will highlight budget risk areas.

Key Issues

      Revenue Budget Position

      BCC has a net departmental budget of £54.4m for the period. Outturn for the year to date is £52.3m giving an under-spend of £2.1m.

      It should however be noted that a number of departments have variations in their budgets due to budgetary control issues. For example, budget profiling, grant accruals and internal journals have not been processed. Financial Services have subsequently developed a training programme for operational budget holders. The first module of this programme has been delivered to Parks and Leisure Services.

      Budgetary Risks / Pressures

      An analysis of budget risks was carried out by Financial Services and Business Support Managers at the end of Quarter 1. A register of all the risk areas, their financial implication and the action required to manage the risks is revised and updated monthly.

      A number of key risks that are going to put pressure on the current year’s budget are highlighted:

1.      Investment income is profiled for the last quarter of the year and as such has no impact on the year to date performance. However, if the current low level in interest rates prevail to the end of the year, this is likely to cause a £460,000 loss of income.

2.      A balance sheet review, including the reserves balance, is currently being carried out by Financial Services which will require approval by the Chief Local Government Auditor. This will form part of the closure of the 2008/09 annual accounts. Nevertheless it is likely that reserves will come under pressure in 2009/10.  The 2009/10 rates were struck on the strength of a £2.4m contribution from reserves to support the departmental budgets.  There are several other factors that will impact on reserves throughout the year. For example the level of bad debt in 2009/10 is likely to increase given the wider economic climate, so the provision for doubtful debts has been increased from 5% to 10% of total debt. This in turn becomes another pressure on reserves should the level of un-recovered debt rise in line with the provision.

3.      Building Control show a loss of income due to the downturn in the housing market. This has resulted in a net expenditure of £116,610 above budget for the period.

4.      The Facilities Management budget is under pressure due to having under recovered internal income. The income for the Property Maintenance Section is under recovered by £1,253,420. Their main customer, Parks and Leisure Services Department, has made the decision to commit to only ‘Priority 1’ maintenance which has resulted in an under spend within Parks and Leisure Services of £450,750 against the repairs to property budget.

5.      ISB has experienced a loss of external  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6c

            In accordance with Financial Regulations, the Director of Corporate Services sought the Committee’s authority to have a number of bad debts amounting to £32,643.47 written off.  A schedule of which was submitted for the Committee’s information.  He pointed out that all reasonable measures had been undertaken to recover the debts, which in some instances dated back to 1999.

            The Committee made a number of points in relation to the content and accuracy of the report before granting the authority sought.

            The Director of Improvement reported that the Capital Programme for 2010/2011 and Future Years was being developed currently to enable budget estimates to be prepared and it was anticipated that the Programme would be submitted to the Committee in November.  In the absence of any prioritisation or a capital financing strategy, a significant number of potential proposals remained uncommitted.  However, two of those proposals, which had been approved by the Parks and Leisure Committee, subject to external funding being awarded to cover all the initial capital costs, had received offers of grant?aid.  These were:

·         the provision of a playground at Eversleigh Street, off My Lady’s Road.  The Department of Social Development had offered 100% grant-aid of approximately £170,000 for the capital costs of the project; and

·         Sliabh Dubh, off the Springfield Road, provision of a playground.  The Department of Social Development had indicated that it might be in a position to offer 100% grant-aid, in the sum of approximately £250,000 to fund the capital costs, subject to the outcome of a contaminated land assessment of the site which it had given a committment to fund.

The Committee agreed to:

(i)   include the playgrounds at Eversleigh Street and Sliabh Dubh as “Committed” Capital projects, subject to 100% external funding being received to cover all the initial capital costs; and

(ii)  approve the invitation of tenders relating to the aforementioned works, with the tenders to be evaluated in accordance with the Council’s Procurement Procedures and the most economically advantageous offers based on cost and quality criteria being accepted.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 4th September, it had agreed that a report be submitted on the proposed recruitment process for the post of Director of Property and Projects following work on the job description and grading and clarification on the Review of Public Administration Vacancy Control Procedure.  The Committee had been advised subsequently, at its meeting on 9th October, that the Vacancy Control Procedure had come into effect on 1st October in respect of Chief Executives, Directors, Heads of Service, Personal Assistants and Members’ Services posts.  This meant that the Council must consider trawling any vacancies it had for such posts to the appropriate “at risk” pool to mitigate against possible redundancies within the Sector.

            The “at risk” pools contained in the procedure were as follows:

·         within the individual Council;

·         within the amalgamated Council cluster;

·         within all 26 Councils; and

·         across all the sectors in the Review of Public Administration – Affected Group.

            Each vacancy had to be looked at individually in the circumstances of the case but the practical implications of implementing the Scheme in Belfast City Council differed to the other Local Authorities since the Council did not have the same degree of risk as amalgamated Council clusters.  Also, the final definition of “at risk” was still the subject of ongoing discussion with the Local Government Joint Reform Forum.  Consequently, it had been agreed that advice should be sought from the Local Government Staff Commission in relation to the filling of Director posts within the Council.

            The Commission’s view was that in its broadest definition Belfast City Council was listed as one of the Review of Public Administration Affected Bodies and, as such, posts could be considered to be potentially at risk.  A vacancy therefore for a Director’s post could be trawled within the Council, this being the first step in the process.  Alternatively, should the Council consider the risk to its employees to be sufficiently minimal to move to the next pool, then it was the Commission’s view that the post should be trawled to the 26 Local Authorities.  The Commission had advised that it considered each option to be acceptable in terms of implementing the agreed Vacancy Control Procedure and in terms of equality considerations it represented a “proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”, that is, making every possible effort to avoid redundancies as accepted and endorsed by the Northern Ireland Executive.  It was pointed out that should no suitable candidate be appointed from the agreed trawl option then consideration must then be given to moving to the next pool before advertising externally.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed that the:

(i)   vacancy be trawled within the Council on 26th October for two weeks, with a closing date of 6th November;

(ii)  applicants be short-listed on 11th November;

(iii)short-listed candidates be invited to attend an assessment centre on 13th November;

(iv)panel interviews be held on 16th November;

(v)  selection panel comprise the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7a

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, as part of the City Investment Strategy, had agreed to co-ordinate the acquisition of lands to enable the Connswater Community Greenway Programme to proceed.  The Council would secure rights over the land needed for the Greenway and would be responsible for the management and maintenance of that land and any aspects of it.  The Greenway would have to be accessible for forty years to comply with the Big Lottery Fund Letter of Offer, although the intention was to secure rights for longer if possible.

            It was reported that a key part of the Greenway was the creation of a network of paths and associated landscaping on an area of land located between the junction of the Knock and Loop Rivers adjacent to Clanmill Housing Association’s properties at Linen Court off Woodcot Avenue.  Council officials had agreed, subject to Committee approval, to purchase two small plots of land measuring 0.291 acres at that site for £10,000.

            The Committee granted approval for the purchase of the land as outlined.

            The Committee was reminded that Carrick Hill Playground had been acquired by the Council from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on a 10,000 year lease dated 31st October, 1994, for a nominal sum, subject to restrictions as to the use of the property.  The maps associated with the 1994 lease showed a street layout and arrangement of buildings which had since been altered and it had recently come to light that a small portion of the playground site fell outside the area defined in the 1994 lease.  Discussions with representatives of the Housing Executive had confirmed a willingness to correct the anomaly and arrange for the transfer of the land to the Council on terms similar to those contained in the aforementioned lease.

            The Committee approved the acquisition of approximately 33 square metres of land from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on a long lease (10,000 years or similar) for a nominal sum, subject to the future use of the land being restricted to playground purposes and on appropriate terms to be included in a suitable legal agreement.

            In accordance with Standing Order 60, the Committee was advised that the Parks and Leisure Committee, at its meeting on 12th February, had agreed to the disposal to members of the public of three portions of land at different locations across the City.  The Committee was advised that officers had been in contact with all three prospective purchasers and with regard to the land at 67 Schomberg Avenue, agreement had been reached on the terms of the disposal which were as follows:

(i)      the area for disposal comprised approximately 82 square metres;

(ii)     use of the land would be restricted to open space and to garden use in particular;

(iii)    the disposal price had been agreed at £10,000; and

(iv)    the purchasers would relocate the boundary fence at their own expense.

            The Director of Improvement reported that, following agreement on the above?mentioned terms, the owner of the property had requested that the restriction, which would limit the use of the land to open space, be varied to allow a small part of a single-storey house extension to be constructed on the land being acquired.  From plans which were available currently the extent of the proposed building on Council land would be minimal – approximately 0.13 square metres – but would contravene the proposed restriction as agreed by the Parks and Leisure Committee.

            After discussion, during which a Member expressed concern that the Committee was being requested to approve the disposal contrary to the terms which had been agreed by the Parks and Leisure Committee, the Committee approved the disposal on the terms outlined, subject to a suitable legal agreement being prepared by the Director of Legal Services, with such agreement subject to no further building being permitted.

            The Director of Legal Services advised the Members that certain issues in relation to the conditions of hire applied by the Council regarding the hire of community and leisure facilities had been discussed by the Parks and Leisure Committee, at its meeting on 10th September, and by the Development Committee during its meeting on 16th September.

            The issue which had been raised at the Parks and Leisure Committee meeting had concerned the use of the Whiterock Leisure Centre for a Hunger Strike Commemoration event.  There had been discussions by the Committee in relation to the event, with a particular reference to its political nature, in the course of which the Director of Parks and Leisure had indicated that there was a need to review the conditions of hire for Council premises in order to ensure consistency of approach.  That Committee had agreed that a review be undertaken corporately.

            At the meeting of the Development Committee on 16th September there had been a discussion in relation to the current conditions of hire for Community Centres, which included a clause that the facilities should not be used for Party Political or religious activities.  After discussion, that Committee had agreed to amend the conditions of hire for Community Centres to enable religious groups to use such premises.  The decision of the Committee had been referred back by the Council at its meeting on 2nd October, with the matter having been reconsidered and the decision affirmed by the Committee at its meeting on 14th October.

            The Director of Legal Services explained that, following a review by the relevant Chief Officers of the above decisions, it had been agreed to establish a Working Group of officers from the Legal Services, Development and Parks and Leisure Departments for the purpose of reviewing the conditions of hire which the Council applied in relation to community and leisure facilities but including also park pavilion facilities and similar premises, as well as facilities provided by the Council at Belfast Castle, Malone House, the Waterfront Hall, the Ulster Hall and Belfast Zoo.  The intention of the Working Group was to ensure that a consistent approach was adopted by the Council in relation to the hire of those facilities and work was now ongoing in that respect.  Given the corporate nature of the issue, it was considered appropriate to report the matter to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, with a further report being submitted on the development of a policy in due course.

            In response to a query from a Member, the Director confirmed that he would look also at the issue of ensuring consistency in the conditions which the Council applied to its various grants schemes.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            (Mr. G. Copeland, Events Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      In May, August and December 2008 the Development Committee of the Council received details of plans for the Cultural Olympiad to be staged leading up to and during the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.  As part of the original ethos, Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, mirrored the classical Greeks in maintaining that the purpose of the Olympic Games was to celebrate mind, body and spirit.  Up until 1948 medals were awarded for sculpture, music, literature and art.  The modern Cultural Olympiad, which will be part of the 2012 Games, will focus on the following themes:

-    Bringing together culture and sport

-    Encouraging audiences to take part

-    Animating public spaces – through street theatre, public art, circus skills, live big screen sites

-    Using culture and sport to raise issues of environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing

-    Honouring and sharing the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

-    Encouraging collaborations and innovation between communities and cultural sectors

-    Enhancing the learning, skills and personal development of young people by linking with education programmes

      The key to this process for the 2012 Games has been the development of a series of ‘live sites’ which involve large LED screens being installed within public performance spaces across the United Kingdom.  In December 2008 the Development Committee received formal details on the costs for such a project.  The Development Committee agreed the concept, which was then subsequently referred to Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in January 2009 for formal consideration.  At this point the report was withdrawn due to a lack of financial resources being made available.

      Since this date DCAL and LOCOG have restructured the financial commitment required from Council, which has been reduced from an original figure of £70,000 to £20,000.  A report detailing the new financial arrangement was then presented to the Development Committee in September and again in October 2009 when the Committee agreed to provide funding for a three year period towards the costs of the Live Sites Screen. 

      Members of the Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee are now being asked to approve the use of the City Hall grounds for this project.

Key Issues

      London 2012 Cultural Olympiad –

      ‘Live Sites’ Public Screen

The proposal would see a 25sq m screen, valued by the BBC and LOCOG 2012 at £500,000, positioned in the heart of the city centre.  Therefore LOCOG, along with DSD, are proposing that the screen be located within the grounds of City Hall – probably facing into the lawn from Donegall Square West.  The initial concept was for the screen to be positioned as a permanent feature, but LOCOG will now accept a three year term for the screen at City Hall.  This would mean that a secondary position, post 2012, will need to be sought along with funding for the removal and installation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8e

            (Mrs. H. Francey, Good Relations Manager, attended in connection with these items.)

            In considering the minutes of the meeting of the Good Relations Partnership of 16th October, a Member drew the Committee’s attention to the decision under the heading “European Coalition of Cities Against Racism” agreeing to appoint the Chairman of the Good Relations Partnership to attend the third General Conference of the European Coalition Against Racism.  A Member pointed out that it was normal protocol that if an invitation were forwarded to the Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayor was unable to attend then the invitation would be passed to the Deputy Lord Mayor and subsequently to the High Sheriff.  He sought clarification as to whether this was in fact the case.  The Head of Committee and Members’ Services affirmed that that was the normal practice.

            The Good Relations Manager explained that the Notice of Motion in relation to racism had been referred to the Good Relations Partnership by the Committee and therefore the Lord Mayor had felt that it would be appropriate for that Group to consider the matter of attendance at the conference.

            After further discussion, the Committee agreed that the normal protocol regarding invitations for the Lord Mayor to attend events be implemented in relation to the attendance at the third General Conference of the European Coalition Against Racism.

Adoption of Minutes

            Subject to the foregoing amendment, the Committee approved the minutes of the meeting of the Good Relations Partnership of 16th October and adopted the recommendations contained therein, including:

            Peace III Procurement Inter-Community Forum

            The acceptance of a tender in the sum of £285,150 which had been received from the Falls Community Council for the procurement of an Inter?Community Forum Programme under Action 2.3 of the Belfast Peace Plan.  The Members noted that the tender had exceeded the budget which had been approved by the Partnership, at its meeting on 17th April, and ratified subsequently by the Committee but was within the resource allocation for Action 2.3 which had been established in the Plan.

            Disability in Local Councils – Appointment of Champion

            The nomination of the Chairman of the Partnership (Councillor Hendron) to act as the Council’s Elected Member Disability Champion.

            Good Relations Plan

            The Committee approved the updated actions in relation to the Good Relations Plan.

            BelfastCity Council Bonfire Management

                The recommendation of the Partnership to approve the current level of funding in the sum of £50,000 in respect of the Council’s Bonfire Management Programme.

            The Committee was advised that the Memorabilia Working Group, at its meeting on 16th October, had agreed the following actions in relation to memorabilia in the City Hall:

·         the possibility of the Council developing a exhibitions management policy is to be investigated;

·         the logistics and legalities of loans from the Ulster Museum is to be investigated;

·         further options around the boxing exhibition to be brought to the next meeting;

·         all Councillors will be invited to attend a meeting to collect their ideas and suggestions for exhibitions – this will take place in the New Year;

·         wall space in the Reception Room is to be prepared for clearance and replacement material for this area to be considered;

·         professional display fittings should be provided for the new display space in the Reception Hall and other appropriate areas, in keeping with the style of the building;

·         visits will be arranged to the Linen Hall Library to view suggested exhibitions/archives.  Archives in the Central Library and PRONI will also be checked;

·         a list of what is currently available will be brought to next month’s meeting for consideration; what is available in the medium term will also be collated;

·         artwork to reflect the Ulster - Scots heritage and tradition can be considered at a future date; and

·         the production of proper interpretive signage for portraits and paintings in the City Hall should be progressed as a matter of urgency.

            A Member pointed out that the Committee, at its meeting on 18th September, had agreed that, in order to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to the principle of greater balance, a timetable be drawn-up, with a detailed report being made within three months, identifying short-term plans and longer-term proposals to address the issue of balance and better representation within City Hall displays.  Accordingly, if the brain?storming session in relation to ideas and suggestions for exhibitions were to take place in the New Year then it would not be possible to produce the report within the three month time period.  Therefore, he requested that the Committee agree that that session take place before the end of November.

            After discussion, the Committee approved the list of actions in relation to the memorabilia in the City Hall, subject to the brain-storming session for all Councillors taking place before the end of November.

            A Member drew the Committee’s attention to the minute of the Working Group under the heading “Plaques in the City Hall”.  He referred to the decision of the Group not to replace the plaques which had been displayed on the East Staircase on the basis that the East Entrance area had now been designated for use for community exhibitions.  He pointed out that the area in the East Wing where the plaques had been located previously was not open to the public and therefore the plaques should be replaced there on a permanent basis, since they would not be in the area to be used for public displays and would not affect such use of that area of the building in any way.

            Several Members expressed the view that they would not be opposed to the plaques being located in that area on a temporary basis in order to permit further discussions to take place regarding any permanent arrangements.

            After further discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor Crozier,

Seconded by Councillor D. Browne,

      That the various plaques which had previously been located on the East Staircase of the City Hall be replaced on a permanent basis.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Hendron,

Seconded by Councillor Convery,

      That the question of the location of the plaques be referred back to the Memorabilia Working Group for further consideration.

            On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the amendment and nine against.  There being an equality of votes, the Chairman exercised his second and casting vote in favour of the amendment and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The amendment was thereupon put as the Substantive Motion, with nine Members voting for and nine against.  There being an equality of votes, the Chairman exercised his second and casting vote in favour of the Substantive Motion and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Purpose

      To bring to the attention of Members details of a consultation by NISRA – Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2009.

      Background

      NISRA have commenced work on updating the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005 (also known as the ‘Noble’ measures).  A consultation document proposing the way in which the measures will be updated was published on 27th July 2009.  The consultation process will end on 6^th November 2009.

      The consultation documents are available at http://www.nisra.gov.uk/deprivation/update_of_nimdm_2005.htm

      The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) 2005 is the current measure of the spatial distribution of deprivation in Northern Ireland.  Government and others use spatial deprivation measures to target resources on the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland and to monitor the spatial impact of policy interventions.

      The 2005 measures of deprivation provide information on seven types or ‘domains’ of deprivation (Income; Employment; Health Deprivation and Disability; Education, Skills and Training; Proximity to services; Crime and Disorder and Living Environment) and an overall measure of multiple deprivation comprising a weighted combination of the seven domains.

Key Issues

      NISRA is recommending that the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005, based mostly on data relating to 2003, is now updated.  A fuller methodological review of the measures will follow after publication of the small area results from the 2011 census.

      The scope of the update is broadly limited to temporal updating of the indicators and domains used in the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005 research, i.e. using the most recently available data.  The intention is to revise statistical indicators only where explicitly recommended in the 2005 report, where indicators are no longer available or where administrative data have been significantly enhanced.

      There are a number of changes recommended to each domain which are outlined in full at Appendix 1

      The Council’s proposed response to the update of Multiple Deprivation Measures for 2009 is attached at Appendix 2. The central premise being that areas of deprivation must be effectively and efficiently identified across Northern Ireland.

      It is important to note that this is not a full review of the Measure.  A fuller methodological review of the measures will be needed post RPA and the 2011 Census. 

Resource Implications

      N/A.

Recommendations

      The Strategic Policy & Resources Committee is asked to note the content of the report and to approve the response to the consultation document and its submission to NISRA. Members are asked to outline any additional comments that they would wish to make in the response. 

Key to Abbreviations

      NISRA – Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

      NIMDM – Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure

Documents Attached

APPENDIX 2: Draft copy of response to NISRA.

Appendix 2

Northern Ireland

Multiple Deprivation Measure 2009:

Consultation Document

BelfastCity Council Response

1.   Introduction

      BelfastCity Council welcomes the intention to update the Multiple Deprivation Measures 2005; it is important that the most current information possible is used to inform policy development.  This paper  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10a

            (Mr. W. Francey, Director of Health and Environmental Services, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The Committee has over the last 6 months received a number of reports regarding Pandemic Flu, detailing the Council’s planning processes for ensuring continuity of critical services, implications for staff absence procedures and information to be issued to all staff and managers.

      The number of new cases of Swine Flu in Northern Ireland has been generally showing an increase over the last few months, although the levels are not as high as predicted earlier in the year and there is not yet a sustained week on week increase.  It must also be noted that clinical diagnosis is now being used to confirm swine flu in most cases, as opposed to laboratory testing and so the figures reported are considered as estimates.  .

      Since 2007 the council has had in place a specific corporate contingency plan (Strategic Pandemic Plan) to cope with a pandemic situation.  It is supported by individual pandemic contingency plans for critical services such as refuse collection, burials and cremations and some environmental health functions.  All Services also have more general business continuity plans.  All of these plans have recently been reviewed and subjected to appropriate desk?top testing.

      Information has also been issued to all staff and managers on swine flu, detailing how to minimise the spread of infection, sickness procedures, special leave arrangements, etc.  Improved cleaning procedures have also been put in place.

Key Issues

      The Department of Health is still planning for further more severe waves of this illness in the very near future and the Government has issued revised planning assumptions based on the estimated worst case situation, to enable authorities to plan for this eventuality.  It is expected that there will be a peak period sometime in the next two months which will have an impact not only on the health service, but also on the business continuity of public services.

      Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu are being offered to those who have contracted the illness, but it is a matter of clinical discretion as to whether they are being prescribed in individual cases, although a number of high risk groups have been identified for early priority access to antiviral medicines.  

      In Northern Ireland, the responsibility for ensuring effective supplies of antiviral medicines rests with the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).  At present the drug is being dispensed via community pharmacists in the normal way.   However, as part of the Board’s contingency arrangements for a major second or third wave of the virus, it has asked district councils for support with the distribution of antiviral medicines during the peak period (likely to last for 2 – 3 weeks), should the normal methods of distribution be overwhelmed.  In periods of higher demand, large scale access to antivirals may be required.  When this critical stage is reached the Board may be required to quickly mobilise a number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10b

            (Mr. W. Francey, Director of Health and Environmental Services, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director of Health and Environmental Services Committee submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Within Northern Ireland, the government Department with principal responsibility for energy generation is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). Commensurate with its renewable energy policies, DETI has established a range of generating targets including 12% of Northern Ireland electricity to be generated from indigenous renewable sources by 2012. DETI has indicated that this target can be met by Northern Ireland’s developing onshore wind sector but has recommended also that other forms of renewable energy should be encouraged to develop in parallel. Consequently, DETI has published a Bioenergy Action Plan for Northern Ireland covering the period 2009-2014 for consultation, which draws upon contributions from a range of government Departments. The Bioenergy Action Plan is also underpinned by findings and recommendations of an AEA Energy and Environment study into the current and future potential of bioenergy within Northern Ireland.

Key Issues

      DETI has indicated that the overall aim of the five-year action plan is to increase the deployment of bioenergy, with particular emphasis on heat and electricity, which will help to secure Northern Ireland’s energy supply, deliver carbon emission reductions, generate economic and environmental benefits and contribute to our renewable energy targets. Accordingly, the plan proposes four strategic objectives:-

·         to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits and opportunities of bioenergy.

·         to create a policy and regulatory framework to support bioenergy development

·         to encourage investment in the bioenergy supply chain, and

·         to continue to undertake research into bioenergy.

      Air Quality

      DETI’s recognition that biomass fuels can have a detrimental impact upon air quality and in particular, ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) in urban locations is an important issue for Council. DETI has suggested that since much of Northern Ireland can be regarded as rural or semi-rural, this will not be a significant problem. Nonetheless, DETI has indicated that it will take account of DEFRA research, which shows that impacts of biomass on air quality can be reduced to a manageable level to avoid breaches of European and national air quality legislation. DETI has also indicated that in collaboration with DoENI, it may seek to amend the Clean Air Order to provide greater consistency between current air quality objectives and biomass combustion in order to move towards an approvals system, which removes the need for individual testing of boilers.

      It is considered that DETI comments regarding the potential impact of biomass installations do not adequately differentiate between the potential cumulative impact of numerous small-scale biomass installations and larger plants that may be subject to control under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, and whose air quality emissions are consequently easier to control. It is suggested therefore, that larger and cleaner installations should represent the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10c