Agenda and minutes

            There were no apologies.

            The minutes of the meeting of 23rd October, 2025, were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd November, 2025.

            Councillor Long declared an interest in relation to item 2(d) ‘Notice of Motion – Definition of Victim’ in that his wife was the Minister for Justice and left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.

            The Committee approved its schedule of meetings for 2026, as set out below, and agreed that all meetings would commence at 5:15 pm.

·         Tuesday 6th January;

·         Tuesday 27th January;

·         Tuesday 24th February;

·         Tuesday 24th March;

·         Tuesday 28th April;

·         Tuesday 26th May;

·         Tuesday 23rd June;

·         Tuesday 25th August;

·         Tuesday 22nd September;

·         Tuesday 27th October; and

·         Tuesday 24h November.

            The Committee considered the following four motions which had been received in advance of the Council’s meeting on 1st December:

            The Committee noted that the motion, proposed by Councillor Abernethy and seconded by Councillor T. Brooks, would be referred, in the first instance, to the People and Communities Committee.

            The Committee noted that the motion, proposed by Councillor Doran and seconded by Alderman McCoubrey, would be referred, in the first instance, to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

            The Committee noted that the above-mentioned motion had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Moved by the High Sheriff (Councillor McAteer),

Seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown

      That the Committee rejects the motion.

Amendment

Moved by Alderman McCullough,

Seconded by Councillor McDowell,

      That the Committee agrees to refer the motion to the Council meeting for debate, with no restrictions on the number of speakers.

            On a vote, six Members voted for the amendment and thirteen against and it was declared lost.

            The original proposal, standing in the name of the High Sheriff (Councillor McAteer) and seconded by Councillor McDonough-Brown, was thereupon put to the Committee. On a vote, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was declared carried.

            Accordingly, the Committee agreed to reject the motion.