Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0       Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of the report is to consider and agree the next steps for the notice of motion on ‘family friendly city centre’ from 03 March 15 Shadow Council:

      ‘This Council notes that city centres which are child and family friendly bring a wide range of benefits including,

·        contributing to healthy childhood development;

·        driving economic regeneration as families spend more time in the City; and

·        making city centre living a more viable option for families, and thereby contributing to longer-term social regeneration.

            The Council commends the work of the Belfast Healthy Cities (BHC) organisation which has been researching and testing child friendly places since 2011, including the provision of temporary “Kids Spaces” in the city centre. The Council agrees to harness its new planning, community  planning and economic regeneration powers to develop a world class family friendly strategy for Belfast, including  the development of ‘Kids Spaces’ in the City centre.’

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       It is recommended in support of the original motion:

·        A recognition letter is sent to BHC seeking their ongoing commitment to work in partnership with Council and others in this area.

·        Officers review the details of all activities and resources to present a full and final list of current council programmes and investments with key partners like BSP which supports the benefits outlined in the motion.  This will identify opportunities, better join up existing programmes and consider how best to assign resources for the greatest measurable benefit for both CYP and city outcomes.

·        Moving forward, the benefits from specific activity around child, family and age friendly initiatives are incorporated into Council’s ambition for everyone to benefit from city regeneration and investment.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Key Issues

            Council has a positive track record of support and investment through both core services and partnership work on which to harness the new planning and anticipated regeneration powers to promote the benefits of a child and family friendly city (centre) particularly with its ongoing commitment to be a designated healthy city as part of the World Health Organisation’s European Health Network. Belfast is a member of the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities. As part of this commitment Council, in partnership with Belfast Strategic Partnership (BSP) and the Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP), lead and drive the Age-friendly Belfast Plan 2014-2017 as a member of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities. BHC are also a member of both BSP and HASP.

3.2       For over ten years, delivery of the best outcomes for children and young people has been a priority for Members who have endorsed a vision for Belfast’s Children and Young People to ‘reach their potential and to recognise that Belfast is the place to be to do just that.’  A progress report on CYP outcomes approach will be presented to the People and Communities Committee September 15.

3.3       Working in partnership at regional, city and at a local level there are a range of stakeholders involved in supporting children and young people, older citizens and city regeneration.  Most notably the council and the Public Health Agency commits funding to the BSP and Belfast Healthy Cities to progress a range of child friendly, family friendly and age friendly initiatives.  There are also high levels of project level activity, resources and emerging opportunities detailed on mod.gov.  This activity will benefit from one focused approach within the context of the developing Belfast agenda.

3.4       In our recent response to BHC ‘Shaping healthier places for children – a call to action’ in June 15, council  reinforced our commitment, leadership, policy direction and action along with a desire for collaboration among all partners who have a role to play in shaping an all age friendly city.

3.5       As the Belfast Conversation develops, and with the new planning powers bedding in, there is a general consensus the city centre regeneration and investment plan will be a catalyst for a dedicated focus on the benefits derived from child, family and age friendly initiatives - in short, an all ages friendly approach. Moving forward a dedicated ‘PLACE & SPACE’ outcomes workshop may support the development of these benefits for everyone in the city – CYP, older people, and families alike as we rationalise the priority actions falling under city centre regeneration and investment as part of the Belfast agenda. 

3.6       As part of the implementation of the City Centre Plan, a detailed report will be brought back with proposals for more city centre play areas and activities.

3.7       Next Steps

            Focused approach

            The appendix highlights the volume of activity currently underway to support a child and family friendly city but recognises the potential for collaborative planning and delivery to achieve better results. The City Centre regeneration strategy, supported by the CYP outcomes framework, provides the focus to prioritise what services are needed to get the greatest benefit for the child, young person or family.  Each of these distinct programmes of work can incorporate the key messages in the notice of motion.

3.8       Stakeholders

            The City Centre Regeneration and Investment plan offers a timely opportunity to engage the relevant stakeholders via a dedicated outcomes workshop to agree priorities in a way which supports collaborative effort and to focus clearly where services need to go and how they are best delivered.

3.9       Organisational expertise

            As part of the culture change, there is opportunity to better harness  the existing expertise within the organisation to influence new ways of working.  For example, the Play team designed and delivered the ‘Come and Play’ initiative to enable children to play outdoors. Their knowledge and experience on the principles of play can shape future physical play provision in new and regenerated capital build schemes to provide safe play space rather than always rely upon fixed play equipment to provide a play opportunity in the city and neighbourhoods.

3.10     Finance and Resource Implications

            Financial

            Costs associated with outcomes workshop will be resourced from within existing revenue budgets.

                        Human Resources

            From within existing staff teams where relevant sections will contribute officer time for the task and finish work around any audit. CYP manager can co-ordinate the task and finish group.

            Asset and Other Implications

            Not applicable

            Equality or Good Relations Implications

            There are no equality or good relations implications.”

            During discussion, the Committee agreed that proposals for immediate improvements of family friendly spaces and programmes be brought back to the Committee at a future date.

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.