Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Alderman R. Newton and Councillors Hanna and A. Newton.

            The minutes of the meetings of 3rd and 17th June were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 4th July, subject to the rejection of the decision of the meeting of 17th June under the heading “Homecoming Parade”.  The Council accordingly agreed to:

(i)      support the holding of an event at the King’s Hall with appropriate hospitality and that appropriate arrangements be put in place to ensure it takes place in the short-term; and

(ii)     continue to work with the military and other civil authorities to ensure that a Homecoming Parade takes place in Belfast in the future.

            The Committee was informed that correspondence had been received from the Chief Executive of Libraries NI, Ms. Irene Knox, advising the Council that significant improvement work had been completed within the past year at the Falls Road, Shankill and Whiterock branches.  In addition, the restoration project to the external stonework at Belfast Central Library had also been completed at a cost of £938,000.  However, the letter from Ms. Knox pointed out that Libraries NI had been advised by Central Government that previously anticipated funding would, given the ongoing spending review, be reduced significantly.  That would impinge somewhat on the ability of Libraries NI to make further capital investment over the next four years.

Therefore, plans to undertake additional work at the Belfast Central Library had been postponed.  Ms. Knox had indicated that, whilst the reduction in funding was disappointing, Libraries NI would continue to promote the upgrade of Belfast Central Library as one of its key projects and also emphasise its important role in the future development of the City’s North-West Quarter.  To that end, Ms. Knox had pointed out that Libraries NI would continue to seek funding in that regard and requested the Council’s continued support.

Noted.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 17th June, it had agreed that the key issue for Members was to set the leadership direction for the Council by considering and shaping priorities which would be set out in the future Corporate Plan.  The Committee had agreed also that the development of the new Plan should align with the development of the Medium Term Financial Plan and the setting of the rate for 2012/13.  The Chief Executive explained that during the next few months Members would receive full support to take an evidence-based approach to creating a strategy which would deliver the Corporate Plan and its financial commitments.  The strategy would be clear, concise and easily communicated and be deliverable with definite roles and responsibilities so that officers could be held to account.

            He reported that the development of the priorities and projects, which would be contained within the new Corporate Plan, had been initiated and a series of Party and Member briefings had been facilitated as requested during July and August.  An initial discussion with Party Leaders had taken place at the end of June to begin to identify and explore potential priorities for the Council and to shape Members’ input.  To facilitate wider engagement, the Committee had agreed that a workshop be arranged to enable all Members to set out and discuss their views on the important issues and priorities for the City and the Council.  A workshop was scheduled for 17th August in the Group Space, Ulster Hall and an invitation had been issued to all Members of the Council.  The purpose of the workshop was to allow Members to begin to discuss and give direction on the Council’s purpose, objectives and priorities for the new Council term.

            The Chief Executive explained that the workshop would provide a forum for Members to explore and discuss some of the key leadership challenges facing the Council including, for example, defining:

(i)      What is the Council’s vision and ambition for the City?

(ii)     What are the key priorities and areas for action – what results do Members wish to achieve within this Council and corporate planning term?

(iii)    What can we afford to do?

(iv)    How can we innovate to maximise the potential investment/funding into the City?

            That would set the context in which Members would discuss the Council’s place shaping role within the City.

            Given the challenging economic environment and Members’ focus on value for money and efficiency, it was important that discussions in respect of future priorities were taken forward within the context of affordability limits and maximising the effectiveness of the Council’s assets.  Therefore, it was vital that the discussion on the new Corporate Plan was integrated with the setting of the rate for 2012/13 and consideration of the Capital Programme and City investment.  In previous corporate planning processes it had proven extremely valuable when Members had given consideration, in advance of a workshop, to the key issues which they believed would face the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Relevant Background Information 

1.1       Since the mid 1990’s, Belfast City Council has striven to become more relevant in terms of the role it plays in regard to shaping and regenerating Belfast. 

1.2       Members’ ambition and advocacy has been matched by officer action to facilitate and deliver a range of physical projects that has enhanced the city and bolstered the Council’s reputation as a ‘can do’ organisation.

1.3       Following a basic approach of -

Policy (i.e. State of the City, Masterplan);

Practice (i.e. projects on time, on budget, to specification) and;

Partnership (i.e. Titanic Quarter, Connswater Community Greenway, Grove Well-Being Centre)

            The Council has enhanced its influence and role in shaping Belfast and gained substantial credibility. 

1.4       Furthermore, through the advocacy and brokerage of Members, the Council has been instrumental in securing key investment projects such as Victoria Square, IKEA and Laganside and has a proven track record in delivering key physical projects as highlighted by the following examples: 

-     Waterfront Hall which anchored Lanyon Place

-     St George’s Market which brings vitality to an otherwise sterile area at weekends

-     the award winning Gasworks with £160m of private investment and 3/4000 jobs

-     Belfast Welcome Centre as the city’s tourism headquarters

-     the award winning Falls Swim Centre and the ground breaking Grove Well-Being Centre 

-     Numerous council facility upgrades including a number of multi use games areas (MUGAs)

-     Four state of the art recycling facilities

-     Land disposals for social housing

-     Environmental enhancement of arterial routes

-     Pump priming for the Titanic Signature Project, MAC, Lyric

1.5       A lot of the above was achieved against a background of scepticism about the Council’s ability, a larger public sector with limited political accountability and a city emerging from an era of conflict which put limitations on key factors of regeneration such as trust and confidence.

1.6       To move forward in this Council term and beyond we need Members input to build on what has already been agreed upon in terms of the Capital Programme, the City Investment Fund and Peace III and other grant applications. 

            A follow up Members workshop on 17 August 2011 will seek to test Members ambitions for the City; exploring what politically they wish to advocate for and what action they want the Council to take in regard to projects that will make the greatest impact and positive difference to people’s lives.  

1.7       This report and presentation is offered as a pre cursor for that workshop.

2.0       Key Issues

2.1       Before going into greater detail two key challenges must be stated -

1.   It is clear we are in a poor economic climate that threatens future investment in the city which calls for greater imagination and innovation to resource and deliver projects. 

2.   The job of urban government is to care for its citizens – and not necessarily to fund buildings. 

            Equal attention needs to be given to the role of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meetings on 18th March and 3rd June, it had approved the process for the recruitment exercise to fill the post of Director of Finance and Resources.  The Chief Executive reported that the process had now been concluded and the selection panel had recommended that Mr. Ronan Cregan be appointed to the post of Director of Finance and Resources with effect from 4th July.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and congratulated Mr. Cregan on his appointment.