Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The Committee is asked to note that the Council has received a late request from the Shankill Old Boys Flute Band to host its ‘Bring Saint Patrick’s Day Back to the Shankill’ cultural event in Woodvale Park on Saturday 18th March 2023, from 11 a. m. to 3 p.m.

1.2       The Shankill Old Boys Flute Band, along with an additional 30 flute bands, will assemble in Woodvale Park and parade to Lower Shankill Road before returning to Woodvale Park for dispersing.  The event will result in some disruption of certain sections of the Park.

1.3       The Committee is also asked to note a request for the use of Botanic Gardens as the location for the ‘It is different for Mummies’ exhibition.  The exhibition marks the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and is described as anact of reparation for future legacy through acknowledgment. This request has had some back and forth to be able to accommodate the exhibition at the site on suitable dates and is the reason for this late request to this Committee.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        approve the ‘Bring St. Patrick’s Day Back to the Shankill’ demonstration in Woodvale Park and the ‘It is different for Mummies’ exhibition in Botanic Gardens, subject to the completion of the appropriate Event Management Plans and satisfactory terms being agreed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services and on the condition that the Event Organisers:

o   resolve all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction.

o   meet all statutory requirements including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, and licensing responsibilities; and

o   consult with adjoining public bodies and local communities as necessary.

2.2       The Committee is asked to note that the above recommendations are taken as a pre-policy position in advance of the Council agreeing a more structured framework and policy for ‘Events’, which is currently being taken forward in conjunction with a cross Council officer team.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

            Bring St Patrick’s Day back to the Shankill

3.1       The Shankill Old Boys Flute Band is a cultural and historical band which has been operating for 4 years. The Shankill Old Boys Flute Band event will be attended by an additional 30 bands and up to 2,000 – 3,000 supporters including the ‘West Belfast Orange Order’ which is supporting the event. The attendees will assemble in Woodvale Park and parade to Lower Shankill Road before returning to Woodvale Park for dispersing. This event is a pilot scheme, with the ambition to deliver a vibrant cultural family Saint Patricks Day event for the local community the following year. 

3.2       Organisers estimate that up to 3,000 people could be in attendance. Organisers will provide toilets, first aid cover and stewards for the event. Set up and assembly of bands will commence at 11 a.m., with the main parade leaving at 1.00 p.m.  The event will be dismantled, and the site will be clear by 3 p.m.

3.3       The event will result in a period of closure for certain areas of the park to allow for safe set up and derig.

            Is it different for Mummies?

3.4       This exhibition is promoted by Relatives for Justice. It features Evanna Devine’s work and is curated by Giada Tagliamonte. The photographs will be exhibited in Botanic Gardens from 1st April to 19th May. Relatives for Justice, which was founded in 1991, is a Belfast based human rights NGO operating across Ireland, providing holistic support services for the bereaved and injured during the conflict.

3.5       A total of 10 to 15 vertical portraits in large formats will be situated in a location within the park that is central with easy access to a wide range of audiences. OSS has agreed a suitable location directly in front of the Tropical Ravine.

3.6       The narrative: The photographer’s lens captures moments of the subjects’ mundane life, in the intimacy of their family home. Each of the women’s loss is intrinsically troubling. Witnessing the murder of their own child, abduction, an explosion taking away all they had up until a fraction of a second prior… Whilst honouring the unbridgeable loss, this exhibition shines a light on profoundly personal stories of courage, strength and the sheer will to keep pacing ahead.

3.7       All images and narrative will be reviewed and approved by the relevant Council Departments prior to installation.

3.8       Belfast Photo Festival whICH has exhibited in Botanic Gardens for years is providing advice and assisting the Curator with the operational elements of the exhibition.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.9       There should be no additional costs associated with these requests

            Asset and Other Implications

3.10      Council officers will liaise with Event Organisers and promoters in relation to any potential environmental impact from events. 

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

3.11      There are no known implications.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.