Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting of 21st November were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that the minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st December, 2025, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, and subject to the amendments of the minutes under the following headings:

Physical Programmes Update

            The Council agreed that the decision in so far as it relates to Fernhill House, be rejected and accordingly, the project be moved to Stage 3.

Draft Amenity Bye Laws

            The Council agreed that the decision be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

Requests for use of the City Hall

And the provision of Hospitality

            The Council agreed that the decision be amended to provide that a report be brought to the Committee that would provide an update on Council investigations into incidents which had occurred during the provision of hospitality and use of the City Hall.

            Councillor Murray declared an interest in items 2.b) Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and 5.a) Contracts Update in that he was employed for the S.O.S who were a delivery partner of the Fleadh and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration.

            Councillor R-M. Donnelly declared an interest under item 6. (a) Minutes of Shared City Partnership, in so far as it related to PEACEPLUS in that she worked for an organisation which was funded under the Programme.  As the item did not become the subject of debate, she was not required to leave the meeting.

            In respect of item 4.a) Physical Programme Update, Councillor Maghie declared an interest in that she was a member of a club which was listed under the Sporting Pitches Investment 2025/26 and left the meeting whilst the item was under consideration.

            Councillor de Faoite declared an interest under item 7.b) Requests for use of the City Hall, in that he was on the Board of Governors of Forge Integrated Primary School. As the item did not become the subject of debate, he was not required to leave the meeting.

            In relation to Item 6. a) Minutes of Shared City Partnership, in so far as it related to the Community Recovery Fund, Councillor Beattie declared an interest as he was associated with a group/organisation which had applied for or received funding. As the item did not become the subject of debate, he was not required to leave the meeting.

            Councillor Long declared an interest under item 3. e) Draft Amenity Byelaws, in that his wife was the Justice Minister, however, was not required to leave the meeting.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following five items is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following five items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Members were advised that the content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which takes place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct. 

            The Director of Finance provided an update on the key issues influencing the rate setting process for 2026/27 and the development of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 - 2029/30.

            The Committee:

·        Noted the challenges since the last update be taken into consideration as part of the annual and medium-term rate setting;

·        agreed to monthly rate update reports to enable the striking of the district rate by February 2026; and

·        Noted a further workshop would be held on 15th January, 2026.

            The Committee was provided with an update on the planning to support the hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast in August 2026.

The Committee:

·        Noted the update at the previous meeting on venues, provision within contracts report for contracting key venues;

·        Noted the update on governance and risk management;

·        Noted the updates in relation to programming, comms and engagement;

·        Noted that details on hotel bookings would be reported to the Committee in January; and

·        Noted that Members’ comments in relation to social media would be considered.

            The Committee was reminded that the People and Communities Committee, at its meeting on 4th November, considered an update report on the Belfast Boxing Strategy Q1 and Q2 2025-2026 action plan. The Committee was advised that, during discussion, a Member had referred to the findings of a recently-published report by the Equality Commission Northern Ireland relating to discrimination within amateur boxing in Northern Ireland and it had been proposed and seconded that, until formal assurances had been received that the Equality Commission’s recommendations had been implemented by the aforesaid bodies, the Council should withhold any further funding linked to the strategy.  Subsequently, the matter had been referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for clarity and legal opinion.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor de Faoite,

            Seconded by Councillor Long,

            That the Committee:

·        Agrees to invite the IABA to a future meeting to discuss the implementation and recommendations made in a NI Equality Commission report;

·        Approves the Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 payment to the IABA; and

·        Requests that future funding be considered for the delivery and continuation of the Council’s Boxing Strategy post March 2026.

Amendment

            Moved by Councillor Bunting,

            Seconded by Councillor I. McLaughlin,

      That the Committee agrees not to proceed with the quarter 4 payment of funding arrangement until the IABA provide evidence that it is undertaking work to implement the recommendations made by the NI Equality Commission.

            On a vote, five Members voted for the proposal and ten against, with five no votes, it was declared lost.

            The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor de Faoite and seconded by Councillor Long was put to the meeting when fifteen Members voted for it and five against and it was subsequently declared carried. 

            Accordingly, the Committee:

·          Agreed to invite the IABA to a future meeting of the Committee to discuss the implementation and recommendations made in the NI Equality Commission report;

·          Approved the Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 payment to the IABA; and

·          Agreed that a report be submitted to a future Committee regarding future funding options for the continuation and delivery of the Council’s Boxing Strategy for 2026/27, together with comparative information on the potential for other single sport strategies.

            The Deputy Chief Executive provided an update on a number of urban innovation initiatives, including the final Augment the City learning event; the Local Innovation Partnership Fund; the third Belfast: Inclusive Innovation seminar, a research request from the London School of Economics; the Belfast 5G Innovation Regions Research and Development project; and the iCapital awards.

            The Committee:

1.          Noted the invitation to the Economy Minister, and to all Elected Members, to attend the Augment the City showcase event on 22nd January, 2026 in the City Hall;

2.          Approved the submission of letters of support for the ZETEC, INNOVATION ARC, and IMPACT expressions of interest to the Local Innovation Partnership Fund and noted that any further support would be subject to Council approval of final, detailed proposals;

3.          Noted the invitation to Members to attend the third Belfast: Inclusive Futures seminar on 24th February, 2026 at the City Hall which would focus on the challenges and opportunities of AI for the future role of the city’s community and voluntary sector;

4.          Approved Belfast’s submission to the LSE Deep Dive research on City Innovation;

5.          Noted the progress on the second phase of the Belfast 5G Innovation Region programme and a planned 12-week R&D project expected to commence in January 2026; and

6.          Approved that work commence with Innovation City Belfast partners on an application to the 2027 European Capital of Innovation Award (iCapital).

            The Committee approved the write-off of ground rent arrears, in accordance with Section M12 of the Council’s Financial Regulations, as outlined in the report.

The Committee was advised that the Public Health Agency (PHA) had recently published for consultation a draft Partnership and Engagement Strategy for the period 2025-2030. The purpose of the draft Strategy was to set out priorities with measurable indicators which showed a strong commitment to working with people and communities. It was highlighted that, a copy of the draft strategy was available @ Public Health Agency Partnership and Engagement Strategy 2025-2030 | HSC Public Health Agency and feedback was being sought by 19th December, 2025.

            In reviewing the draft strategy, there was a clear omission or reference to the role of local authorities and the Council in promoting health and wellbeing within the city or the collaborative work already underway with the PHA in delivering the ambitions set out within the Belfast Agenda.

            It was reported that the Council was already actively partnering with the PHA, and wider health sector partners, on a number of initiatives and programmes under the auspices of community planning including the joint funding and work being taken forward through the Belfast Health and Development Unit (e.g. Take 5, Active Belfast, Age Friendly Belfast), Heathier Systems 4 Healthier Weight (previously known as whole systems approach to obesity), Belfast Learning Cities.

            During discussion, one Member raised concerns in relation to drug misuse in the city centre and the response times to incidents and suggested that representatives of the Public Health Agency be invited to attend a future committee to discuss how it delivers its services.

            The Committee:

i.       noted the contents of the report;

ii.      agreed the proposed draft Council response attached at appendix 1;

iii.     agreed that the proposed Council response be submitted to the Public Health Agency (PHA) in line with the deadline (19th December, 2025). The response would state it remained subject to ratification by Full Council in January, 2026; and

iv.    noted that representatives of the Public Health Agency be invited to attend a meeting with Elected Members to discuss how it delivers its services, in particular drug misuse. 

            The Committee considered the recent correspondence received from the Minister for Communities, dated 10th December, 2025, confirming that funding would not be made available in future years to support a hardship programme.

            Several Member’s highlighted their disappointment in the response and the impact this would have on vulnerable residents.

Noted.

            The Committee noted the contents of the report which provided an update on major planning applications and applications which had been determined by the Planning Committee.

The Committee:

                 I.          Noted that two Council Officers would be attending the UPSURGE Final Conference on 10th – 11th February, 2026 in Katowice, Poland;

               II.          Noted that one Council Officer would be attending the Pathways2Resilience Launch Summit on 10th – 12th February, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary; and

              III.          Noted that all costs associated with the attendance at the above events were covered within the grant funding.

The City Solicitor / Director of Legal and Civic Services presented the following report for consideration:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide members with an opportunity to further consider;

·        the results of formal public consultation on draft byelaws for the city centre and further engagement,

·        the revised draft byelaws which were presented to SP&R Committee last month.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       It is recommended that Members:

·        note the contents of this report and appendices;

·        authorise officers to engage with DfC in relation to the revised draft byelaws to understand which aspects could be approved in the coming months.

3.0       Main Report

            Background

            Members will be aware a report was previously presented to Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 21 November 2025, updating members on the results of formal public consultation on draft byelaws for the city centre and further engagement. In addition, the report sought members approval of the draft byelaws.

            At Full Council meeting held on 1 December 2025, members agreed that the decision of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of 21 November 2025 be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

            Following on from some concerns previously raised, members will note that the proposed bye laws do not set a level for fixed penalty notices. £500 is the maximum fine which can be imposed by a Magistrates Court for breach of bye laws. This maximum fine is set by Section 92 of the Local Government Act (NI) 1972. The fixed penalty level would be considerably lower than the maximum fine which the Court can impose, typically this is approximately 10% of the maximum fine. The level of fixed penalty would be subject to engagement with DfC and would require Committee approval in due course. Members will note that officers have proposed that the reference to continuing offences is removed as it is not considered that this is applicable to the types of behaviour which these bye laws seek to regulate.

            Members will recall that some provisions in the draft bye laws relate to arrangements for special events such as the Fleadh. Therefore it is important that there is early engagement with DfC in relation to these proposals.

            Committee is asked for its further views in relation to the revised bye laws which were presented to Committee last month. It is also requested that Committee authorises officers to carry out engagement with DfC in relation to the revised bye laws.

            Members are asked to note that correspondence has been issued to PSNI and DoJ seeking;

·        to outline the need for a standalone Hate Crime Biil and highlight the requirement for an additional class of offenses, noting that the change model in sentencing did not go far enough.

·        clarity in the use of the PSNI powers under Articles 9 (Use of words or behaviour or display of written material), 18 (Riotous or disorderly behaviour in public place), and 19 (Provocative conduct in public place or at public meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme currently includes over 200 capital projects with investment of £150m+ via a range of internal and external funding streams, together with projects which the Council delivers on behalf of external agencies. The Council’s Capital Programme forms part of the Physical Programme and is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council facilities or provides new facilities. This report presents requests for stage movement approvals under the Capital Programme, approval for best practice site visits to inform the next phase of leisure and an approval to work with DFC to progress the mixed use development at Girdwood.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is requested to –

·        Capital Programme Movements -

o   IT Programme—Website Content Management System (CMS) Upgrade and Website Replacement - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with a contract to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver

o   City Hall External Christmas Tree provision– Note that a satisfactory tender return has been received and that the Director of Finance has confirmed that this project is within the affordability limits of the Council and agree that a maximum of £77,500 be allocated.

o   Sporting Pitches Investment 2025/26 - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £500,000.

o   Greening & Growing Project – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to €30,000 funded through the Shared Island Unit.

o   Ulster Hall Lighting Scheme - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £165,000 funded by the Linen Quarter Bid 

o   Depot Charging Scheme - Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

o   IT Programme—HR/ Payroll Cloud Migration - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.  

o   Assembly Rooms Cluster - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

o   Public AED Replacement - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

·        Belfast Stories – note that the Contract for Funding (CFF) has now been received from Department for Economy (DfE) for £65m and is under review prior to acceptance.

·        Leisure Programme – agree that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee:

i)              Hannahstown Village - Playground & Public Square Sublease

-        Approved Council entering a sublease with Hannahstown Community Association for the lands for Hannahstown Village Playground and Public Square situated at Pairc Lamh Dhearg.

ii)               Cathedral Gardens - Licence for Works

-        Approved entering into a licence for works with Ulster University for a plot of land adjoining Belfast City Council Lands at Cathedral Gardens. 

iii)             Clement Wilson Park and Barnett Demesne – Lease with DfI

-        Approved entering into a 10-year lease with DFI for the siting of a pontoon at Clement Wilson Park.

iv)             Bloomfield Walkway – Licence with DfI

-        Approved Council entering a new licence with the Department for Infrastructure for the lands for multi-use games area and playground at Bloomfield Walkway.

v)               Sally Gardens Lane – Acquisition of Lands

-      Approved the acquisition of lands adjoining Sally Gardens Lane to deliver a footpath.

The Committee approved the minutes of the meeting of the South Belfast Area Working Group of 24th November, North Belfast Area Working Group of 25th November, West Belfast Area Working Group of 27th November, and East Belfast Area Working Group of 4th December, 2025.

Contracts Update

            The Committee:

·        Approved the public advertisement of tenders as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 1);

·        Approved the award of STAs in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 2);

·        Approved the modification of the contract as per Standing Order 37a detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 3);

·        Noted the award of retrospective STAs in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions as detailed in Appendix 1 (Table 4); and

·        Noted the non-procurement expenditure (Table 5).

Table 1: Competitive Tenders

            The Committee noted the key issues arising at the meeting and approved the minutes of the Audit and Risk Panel of 2nd December, 2025 at outlined in appendix A of the report.

The Committee approved the Council’s Statement of Accounts and incorporated Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31st March, 2025 and noted that Management Responses to the 9 audit recommendations identified by the NIAO would be provided to the Committee.

The Committee approved the minutes and recommendations from the Shared City Partnership Meeting held on 1st December, including:

Presentation – Reconnected Belfast PeacePlus Project

·        The Shared City Partnership noted the presentation and recommended to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that it noted the presentation.

Update from Partnership Members

·        Updates from members were noted in the minutes for further information, following a proposal from the NIHE, the partnership agreed to receive a presentation from the Housing for All Team to be scheduled for 2026.

Community Recovery Fund Update

·        The Shared City Partnership noted and agreed the contents of the report; and recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee also noted and agreed the content of the report. The Partnership further agreed that any underspend in the programme should be aligned to the Area Based Consortia, WULO, and resources subject to satisfactory evaluation and proposal, the partnership requests that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee also agreed the proposal which was outlined in the minutes.

Asylum Dispersal Funding

·        The Shared City Partnership noted the report and agreed the proposed approach for the future allocation of dispersal funding, subject to confirmation of further funding from the Executive Office and recommend that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee also noted and agreed the proposed approach detailed in the report.

PEACEPLUS – Secretariat Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Peace Plus Thriving and Peaceful Communities Thematic Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Peace Plus Celebrating Culture and Diversity Thematic Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Community Regeneration and Transformation Thematic Update

·        The Shared City Partnership recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee noted the contents of the report.

Any Other Business

·        Key items reported: -

o   Next Meeting: 12th January 13.30 – It was agreed this would be a half day workshop to be held in Girdwood Community Hub, commencing with Lunch; andKey areas of business dealt with at the start of the meeting with the remainder of the time to focus on the New Good Relations Strategy, audit and Action Plan.

o   The Good Relations Manager informed the Partnership that the new VCSE Community Panel had met and 2 VCSE Reps had been allocated to the Shared City Partnership: Irene Sherry representing Ashton Community Trust (North) and JP Sukumaran representing Karma Kalakendram (City-wide)

o   The Good Relations Manager reported that following agreement at the November Shared City Partnership meeting for Council to develop a pilot proposal to progress the programme in conjunction with Social Change Initiative (SCI) a proposal had been submitted, further details were in the minutes.

·        The Shared City Partnership noted and agreed the items raised under AOB; and recommended that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee also noted and agreed the items raised.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the Party Group Leaders Consultative Forum of 11th December, 2025.

The Committee noted that, in relation to the Display of Flags in some council owned assets, an audit would be undertaken including the Council’s Leisure Facilities. 

The Committee noted that further information would be submitted to the Committee in relation to the Council’s sponsorship of the Lewis Crocker fight, including partnership sponsorship and the intended use of the funding.

The Committee approved the recommendations as set out below:

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the All-Party Working Group on the City Centre of 5th December, 2025.

The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the City Hall/City Hall Grounds Installations Working Group of 18th November, 2025.