Agenda and minutes

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

No declarations of interest were reported.

            (Mr. E. Deeny, Head of Corporate Communications, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Head of Corporate Communications submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report outlining a draft Communications Plan in relation to the Investment Programme.  He reminded the Members that the Investment Programme had been launched in February, 2012 in the Belfast Waterfront Hall and at a number of smaller events throughout the community.  A short-term communications plan had been approved by the Committee, at its meeting on 18th May, 2012.  This had included recommendations for media coverage, website updates, internal communications and coverage in City Matters magazine for a range of projects and initiatives.  It had also outlined designs for ‘branding’ Investment Programme projects, particularly on temporary signs at construction sites.

            He explained that, one year into the Programme, it was important that communications around the Investment Programme were stepped up.  To that end it was vital that the Council:

·         developed overarching key messages about the Council’s work overall, as well as second tier messages dealing specifically with the progress of the Investment Programme;

·         developed a communications strategy and action plan of planned public relations activity and events;

·         developed individual communications plans for each major project; and

·         considered how the work of area working groups could be publicised.

            He pointed out that the starting point had to be a review of the published aims of the Investment Programme, which should be used as a benchmark to compare progress to date, with a view of having up-to-date information and lines to take in areas that were likely to be of most interest to the media including:

·         finances secured;

·         job, training and education opportunities;

·         projects completed/investment to date; and

·         major projects and the next twelve months, particularly in the areas of jobs created, finances secured, level of investment, projects completed or underway and those that would be progressed in the coming year.

            The Head of Corporate Communications reviewed the overarching key messages which needed to be continually highlighted in press material and in response to press queries, in major speeches, at the monthly Council meetings when the media were present, and in publications.  He reviewed also the key facts and figures regarding the commitments which had been made in relation to the physical investment, the investment in local economic growth, investment in people, communities and neighbourhoods and value-for-money.  In order to maintain interest and highlight the achievements of the Council, a draft Communications Plan had now been developed and he outlined the main points contained therein.

            After discussion, the Committee approved the draft Communications Plan for the Investment Programme and the template for quarterly updates to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Director of Property and Projects submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“1     Purpose of report

1.1    To provide Members with an update on the Social Investment Fund, the draft area plans which were submitted to OFMDFM on 31st January and an initial overview of their implications for the Council.

2       Relevant Background Information

2.1    Members are aware the OFMdFM established an £80m Social Investment Fund (split between capital and revenue) aimed at ‘reducing poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration through strategic areas based interventions of significant scale’.  The Fund has 4 strategic objectives:

§  Build Pathways to Employment

§  Tackling the systemic issues linked to deprivation

§  Increase community physical resources

§  Address dereliction

2.2    The Social Investment Fund is being delivered in partnership with communities across the 9 social investment zones.  The 4 zones in the Greater Belfast area – North, South, East and West were based on Northern Ireland Assembly constituencies.  A Steering Group made up of representative from the business, political, statutory and voluntary and community sectors was established for each area. The Council was represented at a Director level on each of the 4 zones.  Members agreed previously that officers should work with their counterparts in Castlereagh and Newtownabbey Borough Councils to develop proposals to feed into the plans for the four zones.  The key role of the Steering Groups was to develop and manage an area-based plans for their zone. An independent consultant, Copius consulting, was appointed to manage and co-ordinate each of the Belfast zones.

2.3    Members may be aware that the original timescale for SIF was extremely tight with all area plans due to be completed by December 2012 and all spend committed by 2015. This proved to be impractical given the magnitude of work to develop area plans given the need for extensive consultation and the impact of the 2015 timescale on the deliverability of capital projects. The timescales were subsequently revised with all area plans to be submitted by 31^st January and all spend committed by 2016.

3.0    Key Issues

3.1    Each Steering Group meet intensively over the period from October when the Groups were established till the end of January in order to produce the draft area plans.  Each Steering Group has now presented its agreed draft area plan to OFMDFM.  The capital and revenue projects/cluster themes within these draft plans are now undergoing an economic appraisal by Copius Consulting before being passed to DFP.

3.2    Council officers are currently analysing the 4 draft area plans and identifying and scoping the implications of the various projects for the Council with regard the following issues:

·         the capital projects where there is expectation that the Council will be the delivery agent to support procurement, design, etc.

·         those projects which are match-funded in principle by Local Investment Fund

·         those projects which have been awarded a % funding in principle by Local Investment Fund, but have not received the anticipated match-funding from SIF

·         match-funding expectations for the Belfast Investment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that the Council has previously agreed that the North Foreshore, the closed waste landfill site, should be developed for waste management, bio-economy and recreational uses. The regeneration bio-economy proposals comprise the development of an environmental resource park to create an innovative “Green Technology Business Cluster” for Belfast. This would have the benefit of diversifying the economy to encourage investment and job creation. 

1.2       Progress Update

1.3       The development of a green technology business park at the North Foreshore is included within the Investment Programme 2012 – 2015. Members will be aware that the Council has submitted a £8 million European Regional Development Fund Application to develop the infrastructure to develop the environmental resource park.  Invest NI and DETI are currently progressing the economic appraisal to assess the application to be completed by the end of May 2013. Letter of Offer expected late August early September. SP&R approval was granted to procure consultancy service in November 2012, and Tender Documents are being prepared to procure the service.

1.4       The Council has already commenced the regeneration of the North Foreshore with the completion of the waste transfer station; NIE Substation, and the landfill gas electricity generation power plant.

1.5       In February 2008, the Council approved the appointment of Renewable Power Systems Ltd as a joint venture partner for the generation of electricity from landfill gas at the North Foreshore. This led to the installation of five x 1 Megawatt generators which became operational in September 2009. Electricity is sold to NIE and exported to the local grid via a NIE sub-station sited at the North Foreshore. The net accrued income to the Council from project commencement in September 2009 to 28^th February 2013 is £4,033,646.

1.6       An agreement to lease with arc21 / NWP for an in-vessel composting facility has been agreed. They are finalising the pre planning application discussions with Planning Service to be able to submit a planning application in 2013.

1.7       In 2011 the Council approved the release of a development brief to dispose a 1.5 acre site suitable for Anaerobic Digester Facility. A financial due diligence has been undertaken to assess the development submissions.

1.8       The proposals for an environmental resource park and the creation of a cleantech cluster is generating a lot of interest from private companies and investors wishing to invest in new cleantech technologies, particularly in the production of renewable energy.

1.9       The Council approved the release of a Marketing Prospectus to dispose a 3 acre site for a cleantech biogas renewable energy generation facility in January 2013. The Marketing Prospectus is to be advertised on 22 March 2013 and the closing date is the end of May.

1.10     QUESTOR, of Queen’s University is proposing to develop a sustainable innovation R&D Centre with a focus on resource efficiency and renewable energy. They are finalising their Business Case which is to be submitted to INI/DETI. The North Foreshore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1On the 24 August, Members agreed to proceed with a revised Developers Brief for commercial leisure and cultural purposes for a 58 acre site at the North Foreshore on the basis of a clearly defined end date for the receipt of developers’ submissions containing all the due diligence information required to assess the commercial robustness and financial viability of the proposed scheme.

1.2       The Development Brief was advertised in the local papers on the 7 December 2012, the council website and in the European Official Journal.  Developers were invited to submit development proposals to acquire up 58 acres for a Commercial Leisure / Cultural Scheme. The Developers Brief clearly highlighted the due diligence information that developers were required to submit to the Council by the closing date, or the development submission would be deemed to be non-compliant by the Council. The clearly defined end date for the Development Submissions was the 24 January 2013.

1.3       The Council received one development submission from James Schiavo of China Sun Asia Pacific Ltd by the closing date, 24 January 2013.

1.4       An Evaluation Panel was established to assess the Development Submission. The Evaluation Panel comprised the Council’s Estates Manager, Divisional Solicitor, Financial Accounting Manager and North Foreshore Project Manager. The Panel used the evaluation criteria outlined in the Development Brief together with a scoring matrix as agreed by the Panel prior to the receipt of the Development Submissions.

1.5      The Evaluation Criteria

·         Financial offer for the Development Site.

·         Track record of the Developer and project Development Team to deliver and operate similar Cultural Leisure Development Scheme.

·         Financial viability of the project and the economic capability of the operator to fund, deliver, and operate the development scheme.

·         Quality of the Development Proposal

·         Delivery of the project within a reasonable timescale.

1.6       China Sun Asia Pacific Ltd’s Development Proposal

China Sun Asia Pacific Ltd Development Submission outlined details of their proposed scheme for the site which comprises:-

            Sports City

·         International Training Facility (indoor & outdoor pitches)

·         7,200 / 8,000 seat Football Stadium & NI Sports Museum

·         Junior Stadium

·         3,000 seat Indoor Sports Arena

·         100 bed Hotel

·         Sports & Media Educational Campus

Media City

·         Sound Stage

·         Post Production & Distribution Facilities

·         Offices.

2          Key Issues

2.1       The Development Brief clearly outlined the information required from Developers / Consortium Members / Organisations involved in the Development Submission to ensure a compliant bid and to enable the Council to undertake a due diligence exercise.

2.2       The information requested included:

                                      i.        Detailed Company / Consortium information from all the Parties who will be entering into the legal Development Agreement.

                                    ii.        Detailed financial information and bank details to be provided from all parties who will be signing the Development Agreement with the Council. It stated that sufficient financial information must be provided to demonstrate that the company has the financial and economic standing to undertake and deliver the project.

                                   iii.        Detailed breakdown of development cost and the amounts and sources of funding for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

            The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting of the Belfast Party Leaders’ Forum held on 13th March.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of report

1.1       The Council’s Capital Programme is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council facilities or provides new facilities. This report provides –

·         an update on the planned 2012/13 capital expenditure (as reported in Quarter 3) which was presented to Committee on 22^nd June 2012

·         update on the current status of capital projects

·         the proposed rolling Capital Programme from 2013/2014 onwards including proposed recommendations for movement between the Capital Programme stages and proposed new emerging projects

·         specific recommendations relating to cost increases

·         implications for future capital investment decisions

2.0       Relevant Background Information

            Capital Programme - Update on 2012/13 Planned Capital Expenditure

2.1       There has been significant movement on the Capital Programme since its approval by SP&R Committee in June 2012. Many projects have progressed both on the ground and also in the necessary preparatory work required to deliver them. Major capital projects including the £4million upgrades to Dunville and Woodvale Parks and the £3million upgrade to the Mary Peters Track are nearing completion. The Duncrue Fuel Station has been completed, the Mountain Bike Trail at Barnett Demesne has been completed and contracts have been awarded for the works on the John Luke Bridge and the Hammer pitch.

2.2       Preparatory work is also well advanced for a wide range of projects including new pitches and changing facilities under Phase 1 of the Pitches Strategy, the Girdwood Community Hub, the Connswater Community Greenway and and the relocation of the Belfast Welcome Centre which are both due to go on ground in April. In addition finalisation work is ongoing on a number of projects including the City Hall and the Ulster Hall which continue to take up officer time.

2.3       However as reported to Committee in February 2013, the forecast expenditure on capital schemes in 2012/13 is £9.6magainst the planned expenditure of £19.4m. The major reasons for the expenditure variance (£9.8m) are outlined below.

2.4      

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    Members will be aware, that a report was presented to this Committee in November 2011 regarding the shape of the next EU Programme Period (2014-2020). Following the publication of draft European regulations regarding the purpose and potential delivery mechanisms for the distribution of these funds, Belfast City Council has paved the local government lobby, not only for Belfast but also the 5 surrounding metropolitan Councils.

1.2    The above work resulted in a metropolitan position paper being agreed by each of the Councils of the Metropolitan Area (COMET) namely Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, North Down, Newtownabbey and Lisburn. In summary, this document calls for the devolution of EU financial intervention, in a combined structure, to enable the strategic delivery of funding at the local level. It also encourages the Departments to give serious consideration of new models for delivery that are outlined within the draft EU legislation.

1.3    This metropolitan document was used as the basis for a Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) workshop held in February 2013, to which all local authorities were invited to attend and included representation from all Executive Departments and the Special EU Programmes Body. Emerging from this recent event, DFP have requested local authorities to submit a collective position by 28 March 2013.

1.4    Following discussions by the Transfer of Functions Economic Development Sub-Group, it was agreed that Belfast City Council develop this original metropolitan paper further to present the Local Government position, ensuring clear connection to the opportunities presented by the Reform of Local Government, transfer of key functions and community planning. The end result is two new lobby papers- a generic one for all 26 Councils to endorse and a separate one highlighting the uniqueness and strengths of the metropolitan position.

1.5    The lobby paper for all 26 Councils was presented to SOLACE on 1 March 2013, and has since been issued to all local authorities by Liam Hannaway for comment.

2       Key Issues

2.1 Local government has an established role in forming partnerships to take forward various EU programmes, but there is now an opportunity for local government to maximise this role with a devolved responsibility to deliver European funds. This would directly support the delivery of integrated economic development, rural and urban regeneration and employability as part of the Community Plan that will be developed by the 11 councils from 2014/15.

2.2    The attached draft position papers propose that with the Reform of Local Government there is real potential for EU funds to contribute to the delivery of an effective ‘place based’ integrated development plan.  In effect using the new 11 Council model and community planning process to enable the delivery of devolved and combined European funds as part of a cocktail of resources to deliver associated programmes and projects at a local level. 

2.3    The community plan would therefore form the overarching framework to align central and local government plans. It also notes that while it would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Budget and Transformation Panel of 14th March.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Panel of 12th March.

            (Mrs. J. Minne, Head of Human Resources, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Head of Human Resources submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

         “Relevant Background Information

Members will be aware of ongoing consideration of the request made by the Belfast City Council’s Trade Union group that the Council makes a payment of £250 to employees earning less than £21,000 per year.  This request was linked to a June 2010 budget statement which announced “a two-year pay freeze for public sector workforces, except for workers earning less than £21,000 a year who will receive an increase of at least £250 per year in these years.”

The pay awards referred to in the June 2010 budget statement were not, however, made by local government, and the Government’s proposals in this regard were set aside by the Employers’ Side of the National Joint Council (NJC).

Senior Counsel advice, commissioned by the Council on this matter, stated that while the payment would understandably boost morale and assist employee relations in a time when no pay award has been made to staff for the past three years, it would be retrospective, would not be limited to existing salaries, and would amount in his view to a gratuity, and therefore be unlawful.

Committee was advised, in February, that given this legal advice the Council could not make a payment on the basis of the request from the TUs.

The matter was deferred by the Committee in order for the Head of Human Resources to examine whether or not legitimate alternative options exist to make a payment to the lower paid staff in the organisation as members are keen to seek to ensure that good employee relations are maintained and employees receive recognition for the services they provide. 

         Key Issues

Discussions have been ongoing with the TUs and The Head of HR and on the basis of these discussions it is proposed that the Council makes a one off payment of £250 to employees below Senior Officer grade who give their commitment to make themselves available to the Council for emergency response situations.

Experience shows that emergencies often happen when least expected and in ways which cannot be anticipated. On many occasions the Council contributes to the response to an emergency, and the effectiveness of that response is often a reflection of the willingness of our staff.

It is understood that responding to emergency situations may require staff to work outside their normal working hours and also to carry out duties which may not normally be part of their own day to day work.

To achieve effective emergency planning, the Council needs the commitment of staff to respond to these potential situations. 

Specifically, it is proposed that in consideration of the £250 payment, staff would commit to the following:

·         Assist the Council in responding to emergency situations.  This may include work during or outside of normal working hours (for which normal, agreed Council remuneration terms would apply) and also carrying out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee was advised that the Development Committee, at its meeting on 10th January, 2012, had approved the renewal of a Licence Agreement to Glenbrook Surestart for a further three years, up to 31st January, 2015, for the Ligoniel Community Centre.  The Council had licensed the Centre to Glenbrook since February, 2009 to enable it to block book the minor hall and store from 9.00 a.m. till 1.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.  Glenbrook Surestart was an initiative which ran a specific programme for two year old children and was funded by the Department of Education and led by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.  The further term of three years had been agreed with the Trust, with the cost of use based on current charges in the region of £40 per week, with additional costs of £100 per annum for the use of the store. 

            The Committee agreed to a further 3 year Licence Agreement with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust for the use of the Ligoniel Community Centre on the terms as outlined.

            The Committee was advised that the former Client Services (Parks and Amenities) Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 8th August, 2000, had agreed that an area of ground at Finlay Park be leased to Greencastle Community Group on the basis that the Council continued with the general upkeep and responsibility of the area.  The Group had taken a 15-year lease from the Council, with effect from 23rd July, 2001, the purpose of which was to enable the Group to obtain funds from the National Lottery Charities Board and the Belfast Regeneration Office, European Unit in order to improve the playground area.  The lease provided that the Council would maintain responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the equipment in the play area.  The equipment had reached the end of its economic life and had been removed by the Council some years ago. 

            It was reported that the Greencastle Community Association now wished to surrender the lease from the Council for the land at Finlay Park as it no longer had the capacity to manage the facility and it would appear that it might no longer exist as a legal entity.  The Council had received confirmation from the National Lottery Charities Board and the Belfast Regeneration Office indicating that they had released the Group from the original terms and conditions of the grant which it had received.  Further to that, at its meeting on 10th February, 2011, the Parks and Leisure Committee had approved the development of community gardens at four locations across the City, including Finlay Park and had subsequently started construction.

            The Committee granted approval to the surrender of the lease dated 23rd July, 2001, between Greencastle Community Association and the Council.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 23rd November, 2012, it had endorsed the Greater Shankill Area Working Group’s recommendation to add a further £50,000 to the £100,000 of its Local Investment Fund to allow Springfield Star?Blackmountain to develop a mini soccer pitch at a site adjacent to Springmartin Play Area, with all funding subject to confirmation of costs, clarification of legal issues and sustainability.

            In addition, the Committee, at its meeting on 24th August, 2012, had endorsed the recommendation of the West Area Working Group to provide £112,000 of Local Investment Funding to Glor na Mona in respect of a site at Whiterock Close, subject to match funding being obtained within 18 months and subject to confirmation of costs, clarification of legal issues and sustainability.

            The Committee was advised that the lands which were required by Springfield Star and Glor na Mona were currently held by the Parks and Leisure Committee and, at its meeting on 14th February, 2013, that Committee had adopted recommendations in two reports on the Local Investment Fund Schemes relating to the provision of a site for a mini soccer pitch adjacent to the Springmartin play area and the provision of a site for a modular building for Glor na Mona at Whiterock Close.

            The Committee authorised:

(i)      the grant of a three year lease to Springfield Star-Blackmountain for an area of land adjacent to the Springmartin play area at a rent of £200 per annum, with an option to renew for a further three years and subject to meeting sustainability targets and subject to detailed terms and conditions being agreed by the Estate Management Unit and Legal Services; and

(ii)     the grant of a seven year lease to Glor na Mona at a rent of £815 per annum for the site at Whiterock Close, with an option to extend the lease for a further seven years, subject to it meeting sustainability targets and subject to detailed terms and conditions to be agreed by the Estate Management Unit and Legal Services.

            The Committee was reminded that, as part of the City Investment Strategy, it had agreed to co-ordinate the acquisition of lands to allow the Connswater Community Greenway to proceed.  It was reported that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had, by way of a grant of wayleave and easement dated 29th August, 1989, acquired a portion of land from the Council, in order to construct a footbridge to permit access to the Flora Street Walkway, Avoniel Leisure Centre and Avoniel Primary School from the Executive’s new build scheme off Bloomfield Parade.  The Council had now acquired land at Bloomfield Parade from the Executive and the footbridge would be replaced by the Council as part of the Connswater Community Greenway Scheme.  Therefore, the Executive wished to surrender the wayleave and easement to allow the Council to replace the bridge.

            The Committee granted approval to the surrender of the grant of easement and wayleave for the land as outlined.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    The Council hold Wilmont House and Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park on title that requires the Council to use the premises for the greatest good of the citizens of Belfast. 

1.2    At its meeting on 22 June 2012 the Committee approved the advertisement of Wilmont House for disposal on a 25 year lease by way of a Development Brief.  This ratified the decision of the Parks and Leisure Committee of 14 June 2012.

1.3    Members are reminded that issue of the Development Brief followed a previous call for Expressions of Interest in developing the facility to which some six responses had been received.

1.4    Initial enquiries from a number of interested parties, following issue of the Development Brief, were encouraging, but unfortunately only one proposal was received by the closing date.

1.5 The proposal received envisages a seven year (minimum) refurbishment which would be carried out by trainees and apprentice labour in conjunction with a number of organisations who may be able to provide funding and supply trainees for the project.  The project would be managed and operated by the responding Developer who would take a lease for the duration of the refurbishment and return the building back to the Council on conclusion of the works (the cost, if any, to be paid by the Council for return of the refurbished building is not stated).  The Council would be invited to determine at the outset what sort of end use it envisaged and the refurbishment plans would be developed accordingly. 

1.6    While the above concept may have merit in assisting with skills development in the construction sector, the submitted proposal lacks some key information, particularly in relation to the level of commitment of those organisations who may be able to provide trainees and apprentices.  In addition there was insufficient evidence of a commitment by funders towards materials costs and an absence of any supported example costings.

1.7    In issuing the Development Brief the Council sought evidence of the financial sustainability of the proposal over a minimum of ten years.  Because of the nature of the proposal it is unable to provide longer term sustainability and in any case, as mentioned above,  the proposal lacked sufficient evidence of the availability of funding to support its ‘restoration’ objectives over the anticipated life of the project.   In summary the submitted proposal does not provide officers with sufficient confidence that it can be carried through, although as mentioned above, the concept, or elements of it, may have some merit.

1.8   Further information on the proposal received is contained in Appendix 1 to this report.

2       Key Issues

2.1    Following the conclusion of the Development Brief process Committee is asked to consider a number of options.

Option 1.  Proceed with the submitted proposal.  Please see comments above and at Appendix 1 in relation to the submission and its evaluation.

Option 2.  Retain the property and leave it to deteriorate i.e.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22b

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    At its meeting of 14^th December 2012 the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee were made aware of difficult and protracted negotiations that are required to bring certain disposals to housing associations to a conclusion and were also advised that a report would be brought back in respect of a further Council site (Colin Glen site) where there continued to be very protracted negotiations between the Council and a housing association.

1.2    Originally developed as a traveller’s facility at Colin Glen by the Council the site was closed in September 2001 and following a decision of the Client Services (Community and Leisure Services) Sub-Committee at its meeting on 30^th June 2003 the site was appropriated to the Development Committee. The Amenity Units were subsequently demolished following a further Committee decision in October 2003.

1.3    At its meeting of 20^th April 2005 the Development Committee agreed to the proposed disposal of former traveller lands, including land at Colin Glen to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) for development of social housing subject to agreement on valuation.  Committee were also asked to note that the NIHE current methodology for site acquisition involved appointing housing associations. Subsequently NIHE nominated Clanmil Housing Association for the Colin Glen lands.

1.4    The Strategic Policy & Resources Committee, at its meeting of 21^st September 2007, agreed in principle to disposal of the land at Colin Glen to Clanmil Housing Association subject to agreement on terms (including a price approved by LPS) and a further report being brought to Committee for approval.

1.5   Following protracted negotiations between Clanmil and the Council, LPS have now assessed the value of the site at £1,100,000, based on Clanmil’s proposed development of 67 social housing units.  Clanmil have accepted this valuation assessment as the basis for transferring this site from the Council.

2       Key Issues

2.1    Clanmil secured an outline planning consent in respect of the Colin Glen site for a housing development to include 67 residential units in February 2012 upon which Land & Property Services (LPS) based their assessment of value at £1,100,000. Potential for this scale of housing development was subsequently confirmed in a planning assessment for the site commissioned by the Council. Clanmil also had their own valuation assessment undertaken which concluded that in the current market the site value lay in a speculative bid of only £50,000. This report also indicated that the site could deliver a reduced housing density of only 44 units.  Given the divergence in these respective assessments there was little prospect of achieving a negotiated agreement with Clanmil.

2.2    Clanmil indicated that in order to comply with DSD funding requirements and from their own governance point of view that they required assurances around how the LPS valuation of £1,100,000 had been arrived at and confirmation that it took account of site development ‘abnormals’ they had identified in delivery of a housing development on this site.

2.3    Having expressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

            The Committee was informed that the Parks and Leisure Committee, at its meeting on 14th March, had agreed that an appropriate Licence Agreement be entered into with the Belfast Education and Library Board to enable work to be carried out by its contractor on the Council-owned land at the Flora Street Walkway.  The Licence Agreement would be for a period of approximately ten weeks, subject to an agreed licence fee of £75 per week payable to the Council. 

            The Committee agreed to approve the grant of a Licence Agreement to allow access over the aforementioned land.

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

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Group of Party Group Leaders Forum and Historic Centenaries Working Group of 1st March and agreed to proceed with the proposed designs for the modification of the UDR window and a granite bench for the Garden of Remembrance at the City Hall in relation to a memorial for Operation Banner.

            The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Good Relations Partnership of 11th March.

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Deputy General Secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) seeking to address the Committee in relation to the abolition of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 4th February, had passed the following Notice of Motion:

      “This Council recognises the need for reform of the Housing Executive; notes with concern the approach of the Minister for Social Development to this reform and urges Belfast City Council to write to the Minister to ensure that any proposed reforms are enshrined in the principles and values of equality and housing allocated on the basis of need.”

            A response had been received from the Minister in which he had indicated his appreciation that the Council recognised the need for the reform of the current Housing Model.  The Minister had also stated that, in relation to the allocation of housing, his Department’s recent consultation exercise on the Housing Strategy 2012/17 had invited comments on a review of the allocation policy and the responses showed strong support for continued housing allocation on the basis of need.  The Minister also intended to consult further on the issue before the policy was revised to ensure that there was an agreed and consistent definition of what housing need meant in Northern Ireland.  He pointed out that, fundamental to the review of allocations, were the principles of fairness and equity, the need to ensure that the most vulnerable in society were supported and that the necessary services and interventions were in place to allow the most vulnerable to access decent housing.  Under the proposed new structures, the Regional Housing Body would be responsible for the allocation of housing on the basis of need. 

            The Committee agreed to receive at a future meeting a deputation from the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance in relation to the abolition of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Chairman