Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors D. Browne, Hartley and Stoker.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks and to seek comments and approval for the draft SRF response to be submitted to DSD.

      In June 2006, the Department for Social Development launched its Renewing Communities programme which included a commitment to the development of Strategic Regeneration Frameworks (SRF’s) for each of the five areas of Belfast covered by Area Partnership Boards (East, North, South, West Belfast and Greater Shankill).

‘Each Belfast Area Partnership will be commissioned to provide a Strategic Regeneration Framework for their area, which will set a strategic context for important initiatives such as Neighbourhood Renewal, the development of arterial routes and the Health Action Zones’.

      The Strategic Regeneration Frameworks aim to:

-     To provide a strategic vision and context for guiding regeneration, planning and development.

-     To identify a portfolio of strategic regeneration activities which could be delivered by the public/private sector.

-     To set investment priorities for the area and influence planning decisions.

-     To provide a clear comprehensive plan for action.

-     To link with existing and emerging policies, projects and initiatives.

      The Strategic Regeneration Frameworks have now been presented to Belfast City Council, Government Departments and key agencies for consultation.

Key Issues

      A BelfastCity Council draft response to each of the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks has now been prepared.  The response focused on the following key areas:-

-     Strategic fit with Council’s corporate plan.

-     Alignment with other key Council policies and strategies.

-     Identification of the key projects/activities that the Council is already delivering that addresses the regeneration priorities within the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks.

-     How the Council plans to use the Strategic Regeneration Frameworks.

-     Restrictions within the funding environment.

-     Any specific issues that the Council has with some of the key recommendations.

-     Recommendations for moving the process forward and potential next steps.

      Given that the SRFs affect all departments across the Council and potentially have resources consequences, we are bringing the overall report to the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee so that decision can be made in the context of the overall corporate and financial planning of the organisation.

      Core recommendations

      At the heart of the response are a number of core recommendations that need to be considered. It is recommended that each SRF should be viewed as a long term vision for their respective area. The current documents should be viewed as the first step in a longer term process and if they are to move forward then they need to consider the following:-

-     There needs to be further consideration as to how these frameworks can connect into a city-wide agenda and connect to citywide strategic developments e.g. Titanic Quarter.

-     There needs to be on-going engagement rather than one-off bi-lateral meetings with key organisations to ensure that the SRF’s can continue to play a role in informing the current and future planning process.

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.