Agenda item

            The Director of Physical Programmes submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme currently includes 170 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. One of the projects currently underway is Forth Meadow Community Greenway, a Peace IV funded project.  In addition to the 12km of greenway, there are a number of pieces of public art, one main art piece and five smaller floor art pieces.  The Committee is asked to give consideration to the installation of a plaque to accompany the main art piece ‘Carry Each Other’ which will be located at the roundabout at the entrance to the Innovation Factory.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

§  Installation of Plaque ‘Carry Each Other’ Sculpture – note the update on the wording for the plaque to accompany the ‘Carry Each Other’ sculpture, as part of the Forth Meadow Community Greenway and note that the proposal is for the wording on the plaque to be in both English and Irish.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Committee will be aware that Forth Meadow Community Greenway is an ambitious and transformational Peace IV funded scheme.  It will see the development of a new 12km urban greenway in West Belfast with work underway.

            Section 1 – Glencairn, works complete with the exception of

                                the signage package

            Section 2 – Springvale Park works underway due for 

                                completion May 2023

            Section 3 – Falls Parks, works complete with the exception of

                                the signage package

            Section 4 – Bog Meadows, works complete with the exception

                                of the signage package

            Section 5 – Westlink to Transport Hub, planning application

                                submitted for the erection of signage and

                                directional markers along the route.

3.2       In addition to the greenway, the scheme also includes a number of pieces of public art.  These include five pieces of floor art, located in each section of the greenway.  The Chair of the Shared City Partnership and some local school children recently unveiled the floor art piece in Glencairn Park.  The main art piece entitled ‘Carry Each Other’ will be located to the left of the roundabout at the entrance to the Innovation Factory.  The artist Sara Cunningham-Bell’s piece is a 7-metre-high figure carrying a child.  As part of the commission, there were numerous public engagement events which included draw, walk, share sessions with local Councillors, the volunteer walking and cycling groups involved in the greenway and many local schools. The drawings prepared by these groups have been incorporated into the floor art pieces and to the child’s jacket. The main sculpture will be installed early 2023, therefore, the plaque must be designed, ordered, manufactured and installed to accompany the piece and give some context to the piece.

3.3       The Committee is asked to note that a request has been received from Conradh na Gaelige for full provision of bilingual signage, including direction signage, health and safety signage, panels and information boards, and all other markers, signs along the route of the greenway.  Officers are currently reviewing this request in line with conditions contained within the Letter of Offer and the brand identity guidelines – Forth Meadow Community Greenway – on common ground.  An update on this will be brought to a future meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee. In the interim and to ensure that the sculpture can be installed early in 2023, the Committee is asked to note that the wording on the plaque to accompany the sculpture is proposed to be in English and Irish. 

            Financial and Resources Implications

3.4       Financial – Funding has been received from SEUPB Peace IV Programme for construction of Forth Meadow Community Greenway and the associated art pieces.

            Resources – Officer time to deliver as required.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

3.5       All capital projects are screened as part of the stage approval process.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.