Agenda and minutes

            No apologies for inability to attend were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting of 24th February, 2026, were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 2nd March, 2026.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

Proposal

Moved by Councillor McAteer,

Seconded by Councillor Bower,

            “That the above-mentioned motion, which had been moved by Alderman Lawlor and seconded by Alderman McCullough, be referred to the Council for consideration, with no restrictions placed upon the number of speakers.”

Amendment 1

Moved by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

Seconded by Councillor de Faoite,

“That the Committee rejects the motion.”

Amendment 2

Moved by Alderman Lawlor,

Seconded by Councillor I. McLaughlin,

            “That the motion be adopted.”

Councillor McAteer withdrew her proposal and accordingly, Amendment 1, standing in the name of Councillor R. McLaughlin became the substantive proposal.

            On a vote, ten Members voted for the amendment, standing in the name of Alderman Lawlor, eight against and one no vote and it was declared carried.

Accordingly, the Committee adopted the following motion, which had been proposed by Alderman Lawlor and seconded by Alderman McCullough:

“This Council recognises the unique contribution that Armed Forces service leavers have and continue to make to our society; agrees that Veterans and serving personnel should not face any disadvantage as a result of their military service and resolves that this Council will sign up immediately to the Armed Forces Covenant.”

The Committee noted that the motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Bower and seconded by Councillor Abernethy, be referred, in the first instance, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

The Committee noted that the motion, which had been proposed by Councillor McCabe and seconded by Councillor O’Neill, be referred, in the first instance, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

Proposal

Moved by Alderman McCullough,

Seconded by Councillor Ian McLaughlin,

            “That the above-mentioned motion, which had been moved by Alderman McCullough and seconded by Councillor Bunting, be referred to the Council for consideration, with no restrictions placed upon the number of speakers.”

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Ronan McLaughlin,

Seconded by Councillor de Faoite,

“That the Committee rejects the motion.”

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

The Committee noted that the motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Murray and seconded by Councillor Smyth, be referred, in the first instance, to the People and Communities Committee.

The Committee noted that the motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Long and seconded by Councillor Nelson, be referred, in the first instance, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Committee noted that the motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Maghie and seconded by Councillor Bower, be referred, in the first instance, to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.