Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Carson and McCarthy.

The minutes of the meeting of 13th December were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 6th January. 

            The Chairman (Alderman Robinson) declared an interest in Items 3(a) Proposals on iESE Support to the Council, in so far as he was a member of the Board of iESE; and Item 2(a) in so far as he was Special Adviser to the First Minister; and Councillor McVeigh declared an interest in Item 2(c) Leisure Transformation Programme, in that he was employed by SIPTU.

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 6th January, had considered the undernoted Notice of Motion:

      “This Council recognises the increasing social and economic hardship experienced by people in our communities as a result of growing unemployment and cuts to welfare benefits. The Council accepts that it has a duty to use the powers available to it (including but not limited to planning, regulation and procurement powers), to generate positive outcomes for the most marginalised in our communities and hereby commits to including at every available opportunity a ‘Real Jobs’ clause in contracts tendered by the Council to procure goods, services and capital works. The ‘Real Jobs’ clause will guarantee ring fenced, fully paid jobs and apprenticeships for the long-term unemployed (12+ months).”

            The Committee was advised that, in accordance with Standing Order 11(e), the Motion had stood referred without discussion to the Committee. 

            It was agreed that a report in the matter be submitted to the Committee in due course.

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

“1.0 Relevant Background Information

         Role of the Area Working Groups

1.1    Members are aware that the Area Working Groups (AWGs) were established last year as a means of connecting Members to local areas in preparation for their role in community planning under the Reform of Local Government. In governance terms, the AWGs were established to have an advisory role, informing the implementation of the Investment Programme.  It was agreed that the AWGs would have no delegated authority and no budget.

1.2    Since this time, the AWGs have played an integral role in recommending investment decisions for their areas in terms of the Local Investment Fund, the Feasibility Fund and Local Interventions Funds to the SP&R Committee. It was also previously agreed at SP&R in November 2012 that the AWGs would play a central part in the decisions related to the Belfast Investment Fund (BIF) given their knowledge of local areas and projects.

2.0    Key issues

         Area Working Group Updates - East AWG - Local Intervention

2.1    Members will recall that in August 2012, it had agreed to support area interventions to address particular problems or take advantage of opportunities which had been identified by the AWGs.  A fund of £100,000 per AWG, with a pro rata amount for the Greater Shankill, was established for taking these forward. A series of interventions have already been agreed for –

         An update on the Local Interventions will be brought to a future Committee. 

2.2    The East AWG has made the following recommendation for the consideration of the SP&R Committee in relation to their Local Intervention Fund money:

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0    Purpose of report

1.1    The Capital Programme is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council assets or provides new assets. This report provides an update on –

§    The development of a MUGA programme for new and replacement  MUGAs

2.0    Relevant Background Information

         Rolling Capital Programme 2013/14 onwards

2.1    Members have agreed that all capital projects must go through a 3 Stage process where decisions on which projects progress are taken by SP&R. This provides assurance as to the level of financial control and will allow Members to properly consider the opportunity costs of approving one capital project over another capital project. Importantly it will also enable Members to focus on delivering the projects which can have maximum benefits and investment return for the city and local areas.

2.2    Members are aware that the Capital Programme (as agreed by Committee on 22nd March 2013) has been reconfigured to reflect the 3 approval stages as agreed –

§    Committed projects (Stage 3) - projects which have completed a Full Business Case (FBC) and where approval has been obtained by SP&R to proceed to tender and award contracts

§    Uncommitted projects (Stage 2) –projects where a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) has been agreed by Committee and work on the project is being progressed through the development of an Outline Business Case (OBC), but they have not yet been developed to a stage where permission could be sought from SP&R to proceed to tender

§    Emerging proposals (Stage 1) –proposals which require completion of an SOC before they could be considered further by SP&R Committee

2.3    Members will recall that they agreed at SP&R Committee in November that various proposed MUGA projects be moved into a discrete MUGA Programme and be moved from Stage 1 – Emerging project to Stage 2 – Uncommitted on the Capital Programme and that officers progress the development of this programme and report back to Committee in January.

3.0    KEY ISSUES

         Capital Programme – MUGA Programme – New and Refurbishment

3.1    Members are asked to note that a MUGA is a Multi-Use Games Area which are suitable for a variety of informal sports including football, netball and basketball etc. Due to their nature the majority of MUGAs are accessible and free to use. The Council currently has 37 MUGAs across the city.  There are a number of different types of MUGAs which are classified as –

·    Type 1 - Surfaced using bitmac, incorporating basic line marking and free standing goal units. Used primarily as kick-about areas or for other informal recreation. Sizes are flexible depending on site conditions

·    Type 2 - Surfaced using bitmac, incorporating sports pitch markings, goal units and high ballstop fencing systems.  Can normally be locked to prevent access after dark.

·    Type 3 - Surfaced using polymeric rubber crumb, incorporating sports pitch markings, high ball-stop fencing systems and goal units. The majority of these facilities will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2b

            (Mr. A. Hassard, Director of Parks and Leisure, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0    Relevant background information

1.1    At its meeting in December, SP&R Committee was to consider a report which provided a detailed analysis of the three business model options for the future delivery of leisure services in the City.  At the meeting, the Committee was advised that a request had been received from the Trades Unions to address the Committee in relation to the proposals. 

         Prior to the Council’s TUs being admitted to the Committee meeting, Members agreed to defer consideration of the report until its second meeting in January, 2014 to allow consideration of the comments made by the Council’s TUs.

         The Committee noted the views expressed by the TUs and agreed that the Deloitte report and any other relevant information should be made available to the Council’s TUs.

2.      Key issues

2.1    Summary of progress to date and decision to be made

         Appended to this report, is a summary of the Committee’s decisions over the past 12 months in relation to the Leisure Transformation Programme.  It notes:

­      Agreement of strategic principles;

­      Physical programme phasing;

­      Capital funding strategy; and

­      High level business model options appraisal.

         The summary highlights the interdependency of the decision on the business model and the capital phases.

2.2    Consultation and engagement with staff and trade unions

         Consultation and engagement on the potential future Leisure model started between Council management and each of the Council’s Trade Unions in September 2013 and has included :

–   Meetings with full time officials of all unions and the Chief Executive, Director of Parks and Leisure, Director of Finance and Resources and the Head of HR.

–   Sub-group meetings between Leisure trade unions, the TU Co-ordinators and management

–   A visit by each of the trade unions full-time officials, a BCC TU Coordinator and Leisure shop stewards to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) which included a meeting with GLL Chief Executive, GLL Director of HR and other relevant members of its team.

–   Meeting between BCC TU’s and the Leisure expert engaged by Deloitte

–   A number of training days and road-shows undertaken by the Director of Parks and Leisure.

         Management has provided information to the trade unions including details on current staffing costs (including overtime and shift allowance payments); the Deloitte report; further explanation and detail on some of the analysis contained in the Deloitte report. 

         Management has also provided its view of those HR issues that would need to significantly change (for example, more flexibility in jobs, significant reduction in overtime; flexibility in working hours; robust management of leave arrangements and attendance; attainment of commercial skills; introduction of individual performance management and targets etc).

         The trade unions have been asked to provide their views on how an in-house model might operate effectively to achieve the £2m savings by April 2016. They have also been asked to articulate those issues that are of significance importance to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2c

            The Director of Finance and Resources submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“1       Relevant Background Information

1.1    Members will be aware that at its meeting in September 2013 the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreed to join the Improvement and Efficiencies South East organisation (iESE), a social enterprise owned by local authorities in the South East of England which provides services and support to public sector bodies across the United Kingdom.  Given their experience and access to member peers it was agreed that they may be able to support the Council in the delivery of parts of the LGR programme.

12.2  iESE have spent some time in the Council meeting with officers and facilitating a few workshops and a number of pieces of work where they are able to support the Council have emerged.

1.3    The purpose of this report is to outline the relevant areas of work and seek approval from committee to proceed with the proposals as outlined.

2       Key Issues

2.1    The main areas of work that the Council is discussing with iESE  relate to Local Government Reform and the Council’s Efficiency Programme. A summary of the proposal is set out below. 

         Local Government Reform

2.2    Governance

         At its meeting on 13 December 2013 Committee agreed that IESE would support the organisation in the development of new decision making structures.  The initial pieces of work include;

·    A workshop with the Member Governance Steering Panel looking in more detail at the key governance issues, how they apply to the various models outlined in the Re-organisation Bill and how they would operate in practice.

·    Briefings with Party Groups on the various elements of any new governance structure including the out workings of the Governance Steering Panel.

·    A Report to Committee on the feedback from the various sessions including draft governance proposals for the new organisation.

         All sessions will be facilitated by iESE with input from Jonathan Huish and other member peers and will draw on examples from other areas.  In addition party groups will be able to draw on advice from the Member peer over and above the process outlined above.  This process has already begun with party group briefings being held week commencing 20th January 2014.

         Service Convergence

         iESE have also been discussing the support they could provide in developing our approach to extending the delivery of services to the areas currently in Lisburn and Castlereagh which will transfer to Belfast in May 2015.   In the first instance it is recommended that iESE facilitate a workshop for staff involved in service convergence in January to help develop the process in more detail.  Further support may also be required in the following areas;

·    Participation in the governance arrangements

·    Critical friend and quality assurance in the development and implementation of the methodology and guidance

·    Change management advice and support

·    Workshops and engagement with other stakeholders

         Efficiency

2.4    To help the Council secure efficiency savings over the next three years iESE will provide support to the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

            The Committee was reminded that, as part of the Local Government Reform Programme, the Councillors’ Remuneration Panel for Northern Ireland was conducting a review of Councillors’ remuneration and advising on the system and level of allowances appropriate to the eleven new Councils.  The Panel had been requested to make recommendations that fairly reflected the roles and responsibilities which Councillors would be taking on in the new Councils, post reorganisation in April, 2015.  It was considering also the allowances which should be paid during the shadow period following the Local Government elections in 2014 when the new Councils would operate alongside the existing twenty-six.  The Panel had been appointed on 1st May,2013 and had initially been given six months to submit its final recommendations to the Department of the Environment.

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Department of the Environment giving notification of a number of focus group engagement events which had been scheduled for Local Government and other stakeholders to discuss the emerging proposals of the Remuneration Panel and to inform the finalisation of the scheme of allowances which would apply.  A Belfast-based event was scheduled for 10th February from 10.00 a.m. till 1.00 p.m. in the Grosvenor House Conference Centre, 5 Glengall Street.

            The Committee granted authority for any Member who so wished to attend the afore-mentioned event.

            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 was reminded that, on 14th May, 2013, the Deputy Lord Mayor had hosted a charity boxing match in the City Hall in order to raise funds for the Oscar Knox Appeal, which was one of the charities she had supported during her term in office.  Each of the three Civic Dignitaries was permitted the use of the City Hall for two charity events.  That was the first occasion that the City Hall had been used for a boxing event.  In addition, the Council had the previous year approved a boxing strategy which sought to provide greater support to boxing clubs in the City.

            The Democratic Services Manager reported that a request for the use of the City Hall for a boxing event had been received from the Dockers’ Amateur Boxing Club.  The event was the 25th Anniversary of a boxing tournament between the Dockers and the Repton Boxing Club from London.  The event was held annually and, when held in Belfast, was usually hosted at the Dockers’ Club.  The Club had also requested the provision of Civic Hospitality and estimated that approximately 250 persons would be in attendance.  The event would comprise a five-course sit down meal following by a boxing tournament featuring nine fights.  The Council was being requested to grant the use of the City Hall and to provide a pre-dinner drinks reception.

            He pointed out that the criteria for the use of the City Hall did not envisage the building being used as a sporting venue and, therefore, it was not possible currently to assess the application using that criteria.  Had the application been for the use of the building for a 25th Anniversary reception alone, without the boxing element, then it would have met the Council’s established criteria and would have been recommended for approval.

            The Democratic Services Manager requested that in considering the application the Committee note that:

·          the granting of approval would establish a precedent that the building was a potential venue for sporting events;

·        allowing the City Hall to be used for such sporting events placed it in competition with outside hotels and stadia and also in direct competition with Council-owned venues such as the Ulster and Waterfront Halls which were income generating for the Council; and

·        there were not any logistical concerns which would prevent the City Hall from being used for such sporting events.

            Facilities Management had confirmed that the Council’s Entertainments Licence allowed such events to take place, although they had highlighted that any event of that nature would need to adhere to very strict conditions laid down by the Boxing Authorities such as health and safety and first-aid, including having an ambulance on site.

            Accordingly, he requested the Committee consider two questions:

(1)     should the criteria for the use of the City Hall be amended to provide that applications for sporting events would be considered; and

(2)     if the Committee was minded to do so, to then consider if the use of the City Hall should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

            The Committee was advised that the Electoral Office Northern Ireland had submitted a request to use the Great Hall in the City Hall on 24th and 25th March for the purposes of holding election training for Deputy Returning Officers and their senior election staff.  The Democratic Services Manager stated that it was considered that this would be beneficial in ensuring the effective and efficient running of the local elections in May.  He pointed out that the Council had always had a good working relationship with the Electoral Office and had granted use of the City Hall for such training events on several past occasions.

            The Committee granted the use of the City Hall to the Electoral Office for election training on 24th and 25th March and agreed also that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to grant authority to the Electoral Office for the use of the City Hall for any other appropriate events to be held in connection with the holding of the local elections in May, 2014.

            The Democratic Services Manager submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report:

“1           Relevant Background Information

1.1         Members will be aware that the Local Elections to the Shadow Belfast District Council will be held on 22nd May, 2014.  The poll will be a joint one with the European Parliamentary Election.

2             Key Issues

2.1          The final timetable for the Elections has not yet been issued by the Chief Electoral Officer and I will report back to Committee when this is received.  However, there are some early decisions which the Council is required to take to allow officers to make early preparations.

2.2          Count Venue

               It is expected that the counts for the 10 District Electoral Areas (DEAs) in the new Belfast District will take place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th May.  The suggestion is that 5 counts will take place on each day and it is recommended that the Committee agree that the venue for all of the counts will be the City Hall.  This would require 3 counts to take place in the Great Hall and 1 each in the Banqueting Hall and the Reception Room.

2.3          Order of Counts

               It is recognised that most Members would prefer the count for the DEA in which they are standing to take place on the Friday rather than the Saturday.  In deciding which 5 DEAs should be counted on the Friday, there are some logistical matters which need to be taken into account:

2.3.1      

·        The Reception Room is being used as a count venue and it is significantly smaller than the other count venues in the City Hall.  The Banqueting Hall is the largest of the venues being used.

2.3.2      

·        The 10 DEAs do not all elect the same number of councillors.  Black Mountain and Ormiston DEAs elect 7 members each; Balmoral and Botanic DEAs elect 5 members each; and Castle, Oldpark, Court, Collin, Lisnasharragh and Titanic DEAs each elect 6 members.

2.4          It is accepted that the number of members to be elected to a DEA does not necessarily mean that the count will take less time to complete but that is the only variable which can reasonably be used to assess which counts should be held in which venue.  Accordingly it is suggested that the following breakdown is agreed:

2.5          Reception Room – Balmoral and Botanic DEAs (5 members each)

               Banqueting Hall – Black Mountain and Ormiston DEAs (7 members each)

               Great Hall (1) – Castle and Oldpark DEAs (6 members each)

               Great Hall (2) – Court and Colin DEAs (6 members each)

               Great Hall (3) – Lisnasharragh and Titanic DEAs (6 members each)

2.6          If this is agreed, the Committee is requested to decide which of the 2 counts in each venue should be held on the Friday and which on the Saturday.  It should be noted that the Friday morning will be spent undertaking a joint verification for both the European and Local Elections with the counts being held that day not likely to commence until  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had an Election Protocol which guided officers on the organisation of events and meetings, particularly those involving Elected Members, in the immediate run-up to elections in Northern Ireland.  The Protocol had been updated and was being submitted to the Committee for approval in advance of the Local Elections on 22nd May, 2014.

            The Democratic Services Manager reported that the current Election Protocol had, in the past, led to some confusion for Departments in that the principles set out were held to apply strictly for the “Purdah” period – the period from the publication of the Notice of Election until Polling Day – but Departments were required to give consideration as to whether the same principles should be applied for an unspecified additional period of time leading up the Purdah period.

            In order to make the Protocol more easily understood and, consequently, more likely not be breached, it was suggested that a change should be made.  Effectively, the change would remove any ambiguity about the organisation of events or meetings in the period immediately before the Purdah period.  Essentially, what was being suggested was that the Protocol would apply only for the Purdah period itself and that any events and meetings in the period leading up to that would be permitted to continue as normal.  The Democratic Services Manager suggested that the Committee give consideration to two options for when the Purdah period should commence – 1st April or 14th April, the day upon which the Notice of Election would be published.  The longer the Purdah period the more the Election Protocol would impact upon the normal interaction between Members, officers and members of the public.  For that reason, it was recommended that the Committee agree that the Protocol should apply from the date of the publication of the Notice of Election on 14th April to polling day on 22nd May inclusive.

            The Democratic Services Manager pointed out that the provisions of the Protocol set out in Sections 2.1 – 4.3 would continue to apply for the period leading up to the Local and European Elections in May, 2014 as it was expected that the receipt of Royal Assent for the Local Government Bill would not be in place prior to the nomination period for those elections having ended.  Accordingly, the possibility, as included in the Bill at present, of an officer of the Council standing as a candidate in the Local Elections, would not in fact materialise and officers would be excluded from being able to stand as candidates under the existing provisions of the 1972 Act.  If the Local Government Bill was passed in its current form, then the Protocol would have to be revised accordingly for the Local Elections to be held in 2019.

            The Committee agreed to adopt the amended Election Protocol, a copy of which is set out hereunder, and agreed that the Purdah period would be from the date of the publication of the Notice of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4e

            The Committee was advised that notification of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland Spring Seminar had been received.  The event would take place in Bundoran, County Donegal, on 14th and 15th February, 2014.  The main aim of the seminar was “The Local Government Landscape from June, 2014 Onwards”.  It would, amongst other things, examine the mechanisms which Local Government could put in place to maximise service delivery for citizens.  There would also be sessions on learning from the past and focusing on the future and how the utilisation of social and printed media could assist Elected Representatives.  The total cost per delegate would be £570.

            Accordingly, it was recommended, in accordance with Council policy, that the Committee authorise the attendance at the Spring Seminar of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Council’s representatives on the National Association of Councillors, Northern Ireland Region, the Democratic Services Manager (or their nominees) and a representative of each of the Parties on the Council not represented by the aforementioned Members.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed that a report on the policy of attendance at such events be submitted to the Committee in due course.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1       Relevant Background Information

1.1    Members will recall that the following process has been agreed for the setting of the district rate and agreeing the estimates for 2014/15.

At the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 10 January 2014, Members approved the following recommendations in relation to the 2014/15 revenue estimates, which would result in a zero increase in the district rate for 2014/15:

1.     That the total amount to be raised through the district rate for 2014/15 of £129,716,358

2.     That the revenue estimates for the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and the cash limit for the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of £32,563,620 for 2014/15.

3.     That the cash limit for the Town Planning Committee of £3,750 for 2014/15.

4.     That the following departmental cash limits should apply for 2014/15:

·        Health and Environmental Services Department £39,497,245

·        Parks and Leisure Department £23,971,115

·        Development Department £19,144,021

5.     That the general reserves will not be enhanced through the district rate in 2014/15

6.     A central budget of £870,000 to make provision for a 1% pay rise. This budget will be retained centrally under the control of the Director of Finance and Resources and only released to departments on the basis of a nationally agreed pay award.

1.3    The purpose of this report is to consider the district rate increase for 2014/15, including the domestic and non-domestic rate increase, following the presentation of the detailed revenue estimates reports and cash limits to the to the standing committees.

2       Key Issues

2.1    The table below summarises the revenue estimates for Belfast City Council for 2014/15 based on a Zero District Rate increase.

         Standing Committees

2.2    Detailed reports on the revenue estimates and departmental cash limits were considered and agreed by each Standing committee during the period 10 - 16 January 2014.

         Key Messages

2.3    A summary of the key messages and lines to take in relation to the setting of the district rate for 2014/15 has been prepared by the Head of Corporate Communications and included as Appendix A to this report.

         Impact on Ratepayer

2.4    A rates bill in Belfast is made up of 56% Regional Rate and 44% District Rate. The Regional Rate, subject to Executive approval, is due to increase by 2.7%. A zero rate set by the council will mean that a ratepayer’s total bill will increase by 1.49%. The table included in Appendix B illustrates the monetary impact on average property types.

3       Recommendations

3.1    Members are requested to note the contents of the report and agree:

·     That the increase in the district  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       As part of the Local Government Reform programme a number of new functions and powers will transfer from central government departments to local government in April 2015 including spatial planning and regeneration related functions. Councils will be given operational responsibility for the delivery of local urban regeneration and community development activities currently under the remit of the Department for Social Development.

2          Key Issues

2.1       Regionally work is currently underway to assess and define the actual baseline resources (e.g. budget, staffing, assets and liabilities) attached to those functions and powers transferring to local government. Each relevant central government department are currently working on establishing this baseline information and are also giving consideration to the potential allocation model(s) through which the resources could be apportioned to each of the new 11 Councils.

2.2       Accordingly, correspondence has been recently received, dated 18 December 2013, from the Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, MLA, setting out proposals on a Budget Allocation Model for the break-up of the Department’s resources currently attached to the delivery of urban regeneration and community development when transferred to 11 Councils in April 2015. 

2.3       A copy of the Budget Allocation Model proposals put forward by the Department has been circulated. Whilst feedback had been originally sought by Friday 24 January 2014, subsequent correspondence has been received stating that the consultation period has been extended to 28 February 2014.

2.4       The following provides a regional high-level summary of the key proposals contained within the paper:

(i)      Budget  - £70.9m (based on 2014/15 projections) comprising of the following elements:-

(a)        £29 million in the baseline for tackling disadvantage (£21 million other resource; £8 million capital);

(b)       £25.7 million in the baseline for physical regeneration;

(c)        £2.7 million for Laganside (this is the average annual cost of maintaining the Laganside assets; actual expenditure varies widely between years);

(d)       £7.2 million in the baseline for the Community Support Programme and Community Investment Fund; and

(e)        £5.6 million in staff costs and £0.7 million in general administrative expenditure (GAE) costs connected to the transferring activities.

(ii)        Efficiency – Members should note, however, that the paper states that a 4% efficiency saving on budgets has been included in the Allocation Model and therefore it is proposed that budget to transfer would be £68.127m

(iii)       Budget Allocation Model – whilst the report sets out a number of possible models, Option 4 ‘Combination Model’ has been proposed for the allocation of funding. This model is based on the following:

(a)        tackling disadvantage on basis of needs weighted urban population;

(b)       budget for physical regeneration on basis of urban population;

(c)        budget for Laganside transferred to Belfast City Council;

(d)       budget for the community development (e.g. Community Support Programme and Community Investment Fund on basis of socio-economic needs weighted population);

(e)        staffing budget in proportion to the programme allocations.

(iv)       Belfast Budget Allocation – whilst Annex 3 of the DSD report provides  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

Framework for ICT Hardware and Software

            The Committee approved the Council entering into a contract under the SPRINT II Framework, which enabled all Government organisations to avail of pre-negotiated deals on computer hardware and software, for a period of two years while establishing further options around other Government procurement methods.

            Fixed-line Telephony and Mobile Phones

            The Committee agreed that Digital Services undertake tendering exercises using the frameworks from the Government Procurement Service to ensure that the Council was receiving the most competitive rates available for fixed line and mobile phone telephony services.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

1.1    This report provides an update on the Super-connected Belfast project following the city-wide launch of the Belfast Voucher scheme – 7 December 2013.

1.2    Belfast was one of ten cities to launch in December.  It is anticipated that a further 12 cities will go live in February 2014  one of which is Derry City Council (DCC). 

1.3    Officers from DCC have asked the Belfast Super-connected project team to investigate if our Voucher Scheme, back office system and processes could be scaled up to support the administration of the DCC voucher scheme.

1.4    The DCC Development committee 14-01-2014 has agreed in principle to request that Belfast carry out the administration of the DCC voucher scheme if value for money can be demonstrated.

2.      Key Issues

2.1    The DCC project has targeted a voucher uptake of 350 from approximately 2,400 potential SMEs.  These figures are significantly lower than the targets set by Belfast, which are 3,250 vouchers from approximately 11,000 businesses.

2.2    It should be noted that there is no requirement for Belfast to conduct demand stimulation activities on behalf of DCC.  Nor will the staff of Belfast carry out any onsite visits to applicants.

2.3    The nature of the proposed service will solely be focused on hosting the online application forms, telephone support in the form of inbound and outbound calls, application approvals, and the payment to suppliers.

2.5   Officers from DCC have indicated that they would pay £80,000 for the service provided by Belfast City Council.

2.6    The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has already indicated support for the proposal and are content that Belfast already has the processes and systems capable of delivering a successful project both for Belfast City Council and DCC.

2.7    Members will also recall approval for up to 5 additional staff to support the Belfast Connection Vouchers Scheme.  These additional resources will provide the capacity to support both schemes with no detriment to the success of the Belfast programme.

2.8    The Belfast Connection Voucher Scheme project team estimate that:

·        A small number of changes to existing processes and procedures will be required,

·        limited changes to the back office IT system will be required to cater for DCC,

·        BDUK funds can be recouped through DETI using the same mechanism for both schemes,

·        Belfast’s role in the DCC scheme will be limited to back office administration and call centre activities minimising any reputational risk to Belfast City Council,

·        and, additional effort to administer the DCC scheme will not affect the aims and objectives of the Belfast Connection Voucher Scheme.

3.      Resource Implications

3.1   No additional staff will be required to administer the Derry City Council voucher scheme.

3.2    To meet the costs of scheme administration and overheads BCC will charge DCC £80,000.

         This will remain a fixed price and is not dependent on the number of applications processed or vouchers redeemed.

3.3    The Belfast Super-connected project team will draw up a service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5d

            The Director of Property and Projects reported that it was the Council’s intention to enter into a managed service contract in respect of its corporate energy procurement and management and that that arrangement had the potential to provide significant savings in terms of the cost of energy across the organisation.  A preferred supplier, Schneider Electric Limited, had been appointed to provide the managed service and the necessary preliminaries were currently under way.  It was anticipated that the arrangement would be in place and operational by 1st July, 2014. 

            However a number of the Council’s existing energy contracts were due to expire before that date.  The Director of Property and Projects reported that the existing contracts with Power NI and Airtricity for the supply of electricity and the contract with Firmus for the supply of natural gas were all due to terminate on 31st March, 2014 and, in the absence of a contractual relationship with those companies, the Council would be facing steep increases in energy prices in the interim as standard business tariffs would be applied.  Therefore, it was proposed that the contractual relationship with those companies be retained via a formal extension of the existing contracts and/or the negotiation of favourable short-term contracts.  Those arrangements would be for a period not to exceed six months.  He pointed out that, because of the volatility of the energy market and the frequent fluctuations in price, it would not in most cases be possible to extend the existing contracts at current rates but consultation with the relevant suppliers would indicate that increases could be kept within the range of 4.11%,which was significantly lower than if the standard business tariffs were applied.

            The Committee authorised the Director of Property and Projects to make the necessary interim contractual arrangements to ensure energy supply and minimise costs for a period not to exceed six months and to issue any notifications and instructions necessary in order to do so.

            The Committee approved the minutes of the meeting of the Budget and Transformation Panel of 6th December.

            (Mr. J. McGrillen, Director of Development, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Director of Development submitted for the Committees consideration the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

         On the 15th November 2013 SP&R Committee approved £275,000 funding towards a Christmas animation campaign and up-weighting of the Christmas marketing campaign.  The funding breakdown was:

1.     to provide £150,000 towards an Animation Programme, to include the outline areas and the arterial routes;

2.     to provide funding in the sum of £50,000 for additional advertising and public relations for a pre-Christmas campaign; and

3.     to provide a sum of £75,000 towards advertising and post Christmas activities for the period January-March 2014.

The marketing and animation campaigns ended on the 2nd December.

At the meeting on the 15th November committee agreed to;

‘provide a sum of £75,000 towards advertising and post Christmas activities, to be determined in consultation with the business community for the period from January until March 2014’.

Final evaluations of the pre-Christmas animation and additional marketing will be available late in January and will be brought back to committee for consideration.

2       Key Issues

         In line with the Committee’s decision regarding financial supporet for a post Christmas campaign, the following proposal was received from the Chamber of Trade on the 20th December 2013.

         Marketing Proposal

         A Spring campaign is proposed, highlighting the abundance of attractive opportunities after the inevitable post-Christmas lull: to visit shops with new season merchandise, enjoy family outings to the city’s great and many attractions, festivals and events, bars and restaurants and generally enjoy quality time in and around Belfast.  

         With Easter falling later-than-usual in 2014 the kick-start to the season can’t wait until mid-April or it will most certainly result in lost business opportunities (particularly given 2012 and 2013’s poor performing first quarters).  Therefore extra marketing support and a targeted campaign is considered critically important at this time for city businesses to stimulate and encourage footfall and spend from both local residents and visitors from the wider region.  Building on the momentum of previous campaigns, this will serve to keep Belfast, and all it has to offer, at the forefront of people’s minds, promoting positive images and confidence, combined with strong call to action messages that uplift and differentiate the destination from all other competing offers.

         Key platforms identified to communicate this message are:

         TV (UTV) – this will deliver mass awareness to the NI population with overspill into the ROI market for no additional cost.

         Radio (Downtown, Cool FM, Q Radio, Citybeat, U105, Talksport) – selected to ensure a broad cover of demographics across NI

         Outdoor - targeting arterial routes in and out of Belfast, plus across major towns and cities across Northern Ireland.

         Online – digital advertising across broad appeal websites

         Proposed timings:

         Late February / March, extending into April

3       Resource Implications

3.1    Financial

         Total cost of the campaign is £75,000.

         The proposed campaign breakdown of expenditure is follows;

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

         VFM Review of Security

1.1    Since agreement by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 18 May 2012 for a VFM review of Security to be undertaken the Director of Finance and Resources and the Director of Property and Projects have provided regular updates on the progress of the review to Members. 

1.2    In order to assist in the development of a preferred operating model for the Council’s manned guarding and CCTV/ alarm monitoring and to establish the extent to which this could be achieved and delivered on a voluntary basis, it was agreed by SP&R on 22 November 2013 that a trawl for ‘expressions of interest’ in voluntary redundancy among Security Unit employees likely to be affected by the review could commence. The trawl was therefore undertaken in December 2013.

         Civic HQ Review 

1.3    A report in relation to the re-structuring of the Civic HQ Unit was presented to the Committee at its meeting of 22nd November 2013, and approved (Appendix 1).

2       Key Issues

         VFM review of Security

         Proposed option

2.1    Officers have now scoped the potential costs, savings and organisational design implications resulting from each potential operating model and a preferred option and structure has now been identified.

2.2    The proposed option will result in a reduction of 11 FTE posts from the current Security Unit and can be implemented on a voluntary basis. Details of the current and proposed Security Unit structures have been circulated for the information of the Members.

2.3    The current security arrangements at Duncrue will remain unchanged and Dunbar Link and Raphael Street operations will be kept under review. A summary of the proposed changes has been circulated.

         Benefits of the proposed model

2.4    The proposed Security model offers a number of benefits which address many of the key issues identified by IJA:

·        Reduces annual costs by in excess of £300,000, achieved by a reduction in employee costs, specifically salaries and overtime costs;

·        Enhances the security presence at City Hall;

·        Maximises use of access control technology in key locations – CWB; Digital Services – ensuring that staff are deployed to sites where they add maximum value;

·        Addresses the issues that the Control Room in its current state is expensive and adds limited value

·        Removes physical staff from sites where they add limited value.

         Review of Civic HQ

2.5    A report in relation to the re-structuring of the Civic HQ Unit was presented to the Committee at its meeting of 22nd November 2013, and approved. This revised structure is made up of a number of underlying structural changes which are summarised below for members’ information:-

·        a total of 12 posts (full-time and part-time) have been deleted from the current structure ; and

·        a total of 13 new (full-time and part-time) posts have been created.

         (NB The full structure was set out in appendix of the SP&R report of 22nd November 2013 attached as Appendix 1 of this report).The net annual additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

            The Committee noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 55 and the authority delegated to him, the Director of Finance and Resources had authorised the appointment of a member of staff who was related to an existing Officer of the Council.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided details in relation to damage caused to the City Hall toilet area in the east entrance following an informal event held on 20th December.  He pointed out that the total cost of the repairs was approximately £650 and the Sinn Féin Party had undertaken to cover those costs.

            The Committee was advised also that, as the party was an informal event and as there was no contractual terms and conditions agreed regarding accidental or other damage to the building nor was there any actual evidence as to who caused the damage, the Committee might wish to reconsider the terms under which informal events in the City Hall were approved, including certain conditions requiring the organiser to accept responsibility for any damage that might occur as a fault of a guest attending an event. 

            He pointed out that the standard clauses for formal contractual bookings included the following:

“5.3   The Hirer will be responsible for all damage noted on the damage report and will indemnify the Council against all losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred or suffered by the Council as a result thereof (except in respect of any damage caused by the Council or its agents or employees or otherwise not being attributable to the holding of the relevant event);

5.4   The Hirer is responsible for guests attending the relevant event and for ensuring that they cause no damage to the Building/Grounds.”

            The Committee agreed the that aforementioned conditions be applied to informal events.

            The Committee was advised that the Parks and Leisure Committee, at its meeting on 13th September, 2012, had received a report regarding the Laganscape Partnership Scheme Project which was managed by the Lagan Valley Regional Park.  The Director of Property and Projects pointed out that that organisation had been successful in drawing down Heritage Lottery Funding for works, including interpretation development at various locations within the Lagan Valley Regional Park.  As part of the aforementioned interpretation development, the organisation wished to erect new visitor signage at a number of locations including the following Council-owned sites:

            Lagan Meadows

            Clement Wilson Park

            Barnett Demesne

            Mary Peter’s Track

            Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

            In order to regulate the installation and subsequent maintenance of the proposed signage, it was proposed that a Licence Agreement be entered into between the Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Council to document the responsibilities of each of the parties and to ensure there was a mechanism to allow the Council to approve the nature, position and upkeep of the relevant signage.

            The Committee approved the grant of a Licence Agreement for ten years to the Lagan Valley Regional Park to allow access to the Council sites as listed for the installation and future maintenance of approved visitor signage.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    At its meeting of 22nd March 2013 the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee agreed to the disposal of land at Colin Glen to Clanmil Housing Association subject to a premium of £1,100,000; Members also agreed to withdraw this offer should Clanmil seek to condition the agreement beyond the usual contract terms.

1.2    As far back at its meeting of 21st September 2007 the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee had agreed in principle to dispose of this land to Clanmil, having being nominated by NIHE as the social housing provided for this site, at a price to be approved by LPS with a further report being brought back to Committee.

1.3    Clanmil’s unacceptably low valuation of £50,000 had made it impossible to reach agreement on an appropriate premium for the land and following a protracted period of negotiation Clanmil undertook to accept a transfer value as assessed by Land & Property Services (LPS) as a means of settling the valuation issue. LPS subsequently provided a written report and valuation at £1,100,000 in October 2012 – Clanmil were provided with a copy of the full report.

1.4    Despite Clanmil having agreed to the role of LPS in this matter and thereafter confirming acceptance of their assessment of £1,100,000 they have refused to complete this transfer citing the unacceptable quality of the LPS report (not full RICS Red Book standard) claiming this to be a DSD requirement and which would also impact the public accountability and probity of Clanmil in this transfer.

1.5    Based on the Committee’s decision to withdraw the offer following Clanmil’s failure to accept the agreed valuation Council Officers have asked the Housing Executive and DSD to consider appointing a new housing association but this has not occurred.  Meanwhile Clanmil have continued to lobby Members for a sale on terms acceptable to them.

1.6    Following a meeting with Clanmil and the Council’s Chief Executive in November 2013 we agreed to seek Members’ views on requesting LPS to undertake a further valuation of this site that would satisfy the standard that Clanmil require – fully compliant RICS Red Book valuation report that fully addresses impact on value of any perceived site development abnormals.

1.7    The RICS Red Book valuation standard is only to satisfy Clanmil who have now taken 7 years to get to this point.  It is not a requirement of DSD in terms of sit disposals for housing and the Council has never had this issue with any other housing association.  In order to protect the Council’s position Officers would suggest that the Council caveat that any valuation must be equal to or better than the current £1.1m for the site which is the entirely reasonable in a rising housing market.  Furthermore Clanmil have stated on a number of occasions and also put in writing they are prepared to pay the £1.1m.

2       Key Issues

2.1    Despite seeking to base the value of this site on 44 units Clanmil have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7c

            The Committee was advised that, in 1991, the Council had sold the Gate Lodge at Drumglass Park on an 850 year lease to a private purchaser.  The property had been marketed and sold with the benefit of pedestrian access from the Lisburn Road but no vehicular access.

            The Director of Property and Projects reported that a building contractor had been engaged by the current owner of the Gate Lodge to carry our substantial repairs to the roof of the house and the contactor had sought a facility to bring deliveries of materials to the rear of the Gate Lodge through Drumglass Park.  Due to the parking restrictions on the Lisburn Road, the contractor had also sought a facility to allow parking of a contractor’s van on an adjoining hard standing area within the Park.  The arrangements with the contractor would be for approximately 6 weeks duration and an overlap with the Councils proposed improvement works at the Park would be avoided.  Movement and interaction of the contractor’s vehicles and pedestrians within the Park would be required to be strictly controlled.  In addition, appropriate local arrangements between the Park Manager and the contractor would be necessary in relation to the opening and closing of the vehicle access gate to the Park.

            The Committee agreed to grant limited access to a building contractor through part of the Drumglass Park for a period of approximately six weeks to carry out building works on the privately owned Drumglass Gate Lodge, subject to a Licence Fee of £50 per week and an appropriate Licence Agreement to be drawn up by the Legal Services Section.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    Members give approval on the 22 March 2013 to release a Marketing Prospectus for the disposal (by way of lease) of a site up to 10 acres in the northeast section of the North Foreshore for Solar PV renewable energy use. 

1.2    Members will be aware that the Council has previously agreed that the North Foreshore should be developed for waste management, environmental businesses and recreational uses. The environmental business proposal comprises 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. 

1.3    The development of a green technology business park at the North Foreshore is included within the Investment Programme 2012 – 2015 and Members will be aware that the Council has submitted a £8 million European Regional Development Fund Application to develop the infrastructure for this environmental resource park.  Invest NI and DETI are currently assessing the application, and the Council expects a decision in March 2014.

1.4    The Council has already commenced the regeneration of the North Foreshore with the development of a waste transfer station and a landfill gas electricity generation power plant. We are currently progressing a proposed revised agreement for lease with arc21 / NWP for an in-vessel composting facility and the disposal of two sites for potential cleantech renewable energy facilities to create a sustainable renewable energy hub

1.5    The electricity substation on the North Foreshore site currently generates 3mw of renewable electricity which is exported to the local grid network and is sufficient to power up to 3,500 homes. The substation does, however have sufficient spare export capacity of 7mw to the local grid network, which provides the opportunity to encourage the further development of renewable energy facilities to create a sustainable energy hub at the North Foreshore.

1.6    A renewable energy hub at the North Foreshore would demonstrate Council’s leadership in promoting the development of the cleantech environmental technology sector to build the City’s resilience in an era of growing energy insecurity, increasing energy cost and fuel poverty.  The NI Executive is promoting the development of solar pv facilities to generate renewable energy to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and to improve our security of energy supply. It would also help contribute to the NI Executives’ renewable energy target of 40% by 2020.

1.7    Currently Northern Ireland is providing circa 12% of its energy from renewable sources. It is worth noting that in 2009 the Council’s landfill gas electricity generation power plant at the North Foreshore was providing 5mw which accounted for 1% of the 12% renewable target established by the Executive for 2012.

1.8    The disposal of a site for a commercial solar array scheme will form part of the renewable energy hub being created at the North Foreshore.

2       Key Issues

2.1    The Council identified and agreed a potential development opportunity to release a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7e

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

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    The site of the former Health Centre and Library at the bottom of Skegoneill Avenue was acquired by the Council as part of the arrangements associated with the development of the Grove Well-Being Centre.  It had originally been envisaged the site would be incorporated with the adjoining Grove Playing Fields however after having explored a number of options the Parks and Leisure Department determined such incorporation was inappropriate.  At its meeting on 5 December 2013 the Parks and Leisure Committee agreed to declare the site (as outlined red on the attached map – Appendix 1) surplus to Parks and Leisure requirements and further agreed that a report be brought to Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in line with Standing Orders.  It is envisaged by Parks and Leisure that the site should be appropriated to the Corporate Land Bank, and managed by Estates Management Unit. An extract from the minutes of the Parks and Leisure Committee is attached as Appendix 2 to this report.

1.2`  The site extends to approximately 1 acre, is cleared of buildings and is surrounded by fencing on all sides.  There are dwellings to the west of the site and dwellings facing the site on the opposite side of Skegoneill Avenue.

1.3    In 2013 Parks and Leisure Department encountered difficulties associated with conflicting priorities within the local community in relation to bonfire management on the site.  The bonfire which was constructed fell outside the Council’s bonfire management programme and for reasons around continuing inter-community issues Good Relations Unit have advised it may not be possible to bring it within the 2014 programme resulting in an unregulated bonfire site with ongoing associated unresolved community difficulties.

1.4    In terms of managing assets within the Corporate Land Bank the primary role of Estates Management Unit is to consider future development and disposal options whilst overseeing the management of such assets in tandem with the responsibilities of other relevant services.  In respect of this site this will include consideration of alternative uses for the site which are likely to comply with the Council’s title to the site, Planning requirements, the physical limitations of the site and the compatibility of any development with the surrounding land uses and the Council’s wider goals.  The outcomes from the process could result in development of the site for Council purposes, it’s disposal for other appropriate purposes, or a combination of these uses.

2       Key Issues

2.1    In order to reduce the prospect of anti-social behaviour on the site, including potential issues around bonfires, will require a corporate consultation process led by Community Safety/Good Relations Unit and involving local Elected Members, other local representatives and the PSNI.  This consultation may result in a requirement to carry out some physical works on the site, which may include landscaping and potentially measures to provide interim use by the local community while the longer term use of the site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7f

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 2nd December, 2013 had passed unanimously the following Notice of Motion which had been proposed by Councillor Kelly:

“International Women’s Day on 8th March is acknowledged globally as a day on which to celebrate the achievements of women across the world.  For the past four years, the women’s sector in Belfast has marked this special day with a public rally to the City Hall. This public event has become popular recently and, in 2013, the Council provided some financial support for it.

The Council has recognised that, within the City Hall, the role of women has not been fully recognised, in terms of memorabilia. Providing support to an annual public event would be a simple way of demonstrating our acknowledgement of this special day and pledging our commitment to working towards greater equality of opportunity for all women in Belfast.”

            Subsequently at its meeting on 6th January, 2014, the Council had agreed that the Notice of Motion be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.

            The Director of Health and Environmental Services reminded the Committee that the 2013 financial support which had been referred to by Councillor Kelly in her Notice of Motion had been provided under the Decade of Centenaries programme, since one aspect of that programme had focused directly on the role of women and the campaign for women’s suffrage a century ago.  Last year’s funding had been used to cover the costs of a temporary stage and sound system for the public rally at the front of the City Hall and the Council had met also the costs of a modest lunch for 150 of the rally participants.

            She pointed out that the women’s sector in Belfast was very keen that the Council should maintain its support for International Women’s Day and had provided estimated costs for similar provision this year, along with musicians and drummers to encourage public participation and for the use of signers at the rally to ensure the inclusion of those with hearing impairments.  The Committee had agreed also, at its meeting in April 2013, that the City Hall should be illuminated purple to mark International Women’s Day.

            The cost for an appropriate temporary stage and sound system, along with signers, music, drummers was estimated to be in the region of £4,500.  The cost of the lunch would be an additional £1,500, giving a total of £6,000.  The Director of Finance and Resources had indicated that that could be met from within existing budgets and the Committee was requested to note that it was likely to be a recurring annual expenditure.

            The Committee granted the approval to the provision of funding for various aspects of support for the public rally to mark International Women’s Day as outlined.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       The Council will be aware of the Notice of Motion from Alderman Ekin which was unanimously agreed by the Council in September 2011:

1.2       ‘This Council can demonstrate true civic leadership by agreeing to tackle one of the biggest problems which affects all of the citizens of the City, that is, the continued existence of the so called ‘Peace Walls’. These walls performed a necessary security purpose in the past in the several interface areas of the City but now serve to increase alienation and to inhibit regeneration and development of those very same areas and the time has now come to seek to move towards their removal.

1.3       The Council agrees to take the lead in devising a strategy which seeks to move towards the removal of a number of these walls within the current Council term.  This strategy should be inclusive and include the direct involvement of all appropriate organisations from the business, public and voluntary and community sectors, with the wishes and needs of those people who live in the interface areas being paramount.’

1.4       The Motion was referred to the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee which agreed that the development of a strategy and framework for action, which seeks to move towards the removal of a number of walls/barriers, should be taken forward by the Good Relations Partnership in conjunction with the Safer City Group.

1.5       The Council’s Corporate Plan makes specific reference to interfaces, stating that we commit to lead on an Interfaces Strategy to ensure that we support a shared city.

1.6       Our Investment Programme notes that:

            ‘... segregation and division produce significant additional costs in the city.  The ‘diseconomies of segregation’ are borne disproportionately by the most disadvantaged communities. All of this projects a negative backdrop as Belfast presents itself as an outward looking and modern location for living, investment and tourism. 

            We will continue to work with local communities who are seeking to reduce and remove barriers, in the context of local area working.  We will support and advocate for a number of neighbourhoods in the city, close to interface barriers, to regenerate those neighbourhoods while safely and sensitively working towards removing and reducing barriers.’

1.7       Members are aware that improving the quality of life and connectivity in the city are clear priorities for the Council and the preparation of a more integrated strategy for interfaces within broader regeneration proposals is timely, given the imminent introduction of community planning and the transfer of regeneration powers which provides the framework for such place shaping actions.

2          Key Issues

            Interfaces feature prominently in the NI Executive’s recent Together: Building a United Community strategy, which states that:

‘ In building a safer community, we will:

• Create a 10-year Programme to reduce, and remove by 2023, all interface barriers; and

• Create an Interface Barrier Support Package.’

2.2       Funding of approximately £420,000 was previously awarded under Phase 2 of the EU Peace III Programme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8b

            The Committee noted the contents of the report which provided details in relation to the action which had been undertaken in preparation of the tidal surges which had threatened Belfast between Friday 3rd and Monday 6th January.

            The Committee agreed to the Council hosting a recognition event for the volunteers and staff who were involved in the response to the risk of tidal inundation in the Sydenham and Docks areas.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    In October 2013, Minister for Social Development announced six ‘Building Successful Communities’ pilot areas to take forward a housing-led regeneration programme.  Five of these six areas fall within Belfast, with the sixth area in Ballymena (covering the Doury Road area).  The five areas in Belfast include:

-          Lower Oldpark/Hillview;

-          Divis/Albert Street;

-          Tiger’s Bay/Mouncollyer;

-          Lower Shankill/Brown Square; and

-          Andersonstown

1.2    The ‘Building Successful Communities’ initiative is part of the ‘Facing the Future - Housing Strategy for Northern Ireland 2012-2017’.  The Housing Strategy sets out the criteria for the selection of these pilot areas which includes areas that are already designated areas of deprivation and which have good potential for recovery with available land or properties that can be refurbished.  The aim of the programme is to use housing intervention as one of the main catalysts for local regeneration.  It is intended to complement existing departmental programmes including the Social Housing Development Programme, Neighbourhood Renewal and other capital regeneration activities.

2       Key Issues

2.1    The programme will involve concerted social, economic and physical interventions by the DSD, the NI Housing Executive, Housing Associations, local communities and key statutory and voluntary agencies to develop solutions that will reverse decline and create more sustainable communities.

2.2    A ‘Regeneration Forum’ will be set up within each of the designated ‘Building Successful Communities’ areas to develop plans with economic, physical and social interventions and take work forward to meet community needs. Once the plans are in place, DSD will secure appropriate funding from DFP for delivery.  Membership of Regeneration Forums will be sought from the Housing Executive, elected representatives, council officials, housing associations and representatives from education, health and the voluntary and community sectors.

2.3    A dedicated ‘Regeneration Manager’, will be recruited for each area to support the forums to identify the issues in their respective areas, design and deliver solutions relating to housing, regeneration, infrastructure, employment and social enterprise, together with other issues that the forum feels is important.

2.4    A Programme Board will be established to provide strategic direction, agree the action plans for each area and oversee the delivery of the Building Successful Communities pilot programme.  The pilot programme is designed to build upon examples of best practice in Manchester and Liverpool and the intention is that it will be expanded to other areas if the pilots prove successful.

2.5    The formation of each of the forums is at an early stage.  DSD have written to request Council participation on each of the five Regeneration Forums as well as senior officer involvement in the Building Successful Communities Programme Board to oversee the initiative.  DSD are also approaching local councillors and MLAs within each of the target areas to confirm interest and participation in the forums.  It is anticipated that the forums will be established within the next few months.

2.6    Members have previously agreed that the development of area plans will be considered within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9b

            The Committee noted the contents of report which provided and update on the procurement of Waste Treatment Facilities via arc21 and agreed that a letter be forwarded to the Department of the Environment asking them to clarify their views of the project, taking into consideration the findings of the Mills Report.