Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

 

“1.0      Purpose of Report/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 includes:

 

-       a review of recently completed and underway physical projects,

-       requests for approvals relating to the Capital Programme,

-       a request to act as delivery agent for an Urban Villages project and;

-       approval to procure as appropriate for the Physical Programme.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

 

i.       Physical Programme Half Year Update – to note the overall update on projects that have been completed recently and projects currently under construction as at 3.1-3.4 below and that the Physical Programmes Department is happy to arrange a site visit to any projects that have been completed or are underway;

 

ii.      Capital Programme movements: to agree the following movement under the Capital Programme:

 

o   IT Programme – SIEM QRadar Log Manager system project (move to Stage 3 – Committed)

 

o   Waterfront Hall Chiller Units, Waterfront Hall Smoke Curtains, City Hall Christmas Tree, Cremated Remains Burial Plots projects– add as Stage 1 – Emerging projects under the Capital Programme to allow business cases to be developed;

 

iii.    Role of the Council as delivery agent – to agree in principle that the Council acts as the delivery agent for a project receiving external funding from other sources (Donegall Pass Good Relations Hub under the Urban Villages Initiative on the former PSNI Station site) subject to the Council receiving a management fee for the delivery, full funding packages being in place and further discussions with Legal Services; and

 

iv.    Procurement – to agree that any necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for any Physical Programmes projects including externally funded projects for 2023/24 as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

 

3.0       Main Report

 

3.1       Physical Programme

 

            Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial Physical Programme. This includes the rolling Capital Programme – a multimillion regeneration programme of investment across the city which improves existing Council assets or provides new council facilities. The Council also delivers externally focused funding streams such as Belfast Investment Fund (BIF), Local Investment Fund (LIF), Social Outcomes Fund (SOF) and Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund (NRF), as well as numerous capital programmes that we deliver for central government. Our funding partners include National Lottery Heritage Fund, SEUPB Peace IV, the Executive Office (TEO), DfC, DfI via the Blue Green Infrastructure Fund and Living with Water Programme, DAERA, Ulster Garden Villages, Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and others.  Physical Programmes is happy to arrange site visits to any projects that have been completed.

 

3.2       PHYSICAL PROGRAMME HALF YEAR UPDATE

 

            Members are aware of the scale of the Council’s Physical Programme via a range of internal and external funding streams. Below is a brief summary of projects completed over the last six months, as well as a sample of projects currently underway.

 

            Recently Completed Projects:

 

·        LTP Templemore Baths – This project comprises a £17m restoration of Templemore Baths with a focus on heritage and spa provision. Now open to the public, this is the sixth of seven new leisure facilities to be completed as part of the £105 million Leisure Transformation Programme. The facility includes an interactive visitor centre focusing on the building’s heritage and many original features have been sympathetically restored. The facility includes a 25m six-lane swimming pool, a gym, spa and changing facilities, including a Changing Places facility, as well as a new café featuring the original Victorian fountain.

 

·        City Cemetery Visitor Centre – part of a £2.8m scheme funded by the Council, Heritage Fund and DfC. The new centre is now open and includes an interpretive exhibition, digital touchscreens, interactive features for children, genealogy workstations and educational space. Further works and signage are ongoing.

 

·        Walkway Community Centre (Social Investment Fund) - £1.8m project at Bloomfield funded by the Executive Office and DfC and delivered by Belfast City Council on behalf of Walkway Community Association. The new building includes a creche, soft play, a sports hall and meeting space. Walkway is the final SIF project to be delivered by the Council. The SIF Programme represented a total investment of £8m across 10 physical projects in Belfast: PIPs Suicide Prevention, Joanmount Methodist Church, Glenburn Methodist Church, Mount Merrion Church, South City Resource Centre St Simon’s, Greenway Women’s Centre, North Belfast WISP, Mornington Community Project, St Comgall’s and Walkway.

 

·        Playground Improvement Programme - Sally Gardens and Westlands – major refurbishments of Westlands playground at Waterworks Park and Sally Gardens play park in Poleglass.

 

·        Willowbank 3G pitch – improvements to 3G pitch and fencing alterations at Willowbank Youth Club.

 

·        Covered cycle stands (DfI and DfC Revitalisation Fund) – stands at Belfast Zoo, Gasworks and Waterworks.

 

·        Braniel Church (Council – Belfast Investment Fund) – extension and refurbishment to the existing church premises for community use.

 

·        Belfast South Community Resources – Sandy Row Tourism Signage (Council - Social Outcomes Fund) – development of a tourism trail.

 

·        Colin Valley FC (Urban Villages Initiative) – delivered by the Council on behalf of the Executive Office, this new clubhouse provides greater access to health and fitness, supporting mental health and wellbeing, supporting good community relations.

 

            Physical Projects Underway:

 

3.3       Approximately 80 physical projects are currently on site or in contract including:

 

·        Marrowbone Millennium Park – This is a £3.9m partnership project with DfC, Urban Villages, and NIHE. Contractor has been appointed and work is progressing on site, it is due for completion later this year. The park will become a vibrant, welcoming, better connected and open facility, which will be used for sport and active recreation; and social engagement.

 

·        Ballysillan Playing Fields - This is a £7.5m partnership project with Urban Villages, DfI Living with Water and DfC. Due to go to Planning at the end of the month. It is anticipated that the contractor will be on site by next spring subject to planning approval.

·        City Hall Statues – Winifred Carney and Mary Ann McCracken – Sculptures for the grounds of Belfast City Hall of Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney. Artist has been appointed and it is anticipated that the statues will be installed early next year.

 

·        Frederick Douglass Statue – Design and install of a figurative sculpture of the abolitionist and campaigner in Rosemary Street. Due to be unveiled in Summer 2023.

 

·        Lagan Gateway Greenway Phase 2 – Second phase of the Lagan Gateway project focusing on new connections on the Annadale side up to Belvoir Forest.

 

·        Peace IV Forth Meadow Community Greenway –new 12km urban greenway in West/North Belfast. Section 1 – Glencairn – Works complete. Section 2 – Forth River/ Springfield Road – Works due to complete within the next month. Section 3 – Falls Park/Whiterock – Works complete. Section 4 – Bog Meadows – Works complete. Section 5 – Westlink to City Centre – Works to commence in June. Signage package to be installed to include to all sections feature panels, narrative panels and beacon lights – subject to language proposals and agreement via Committee and Council. Artwork is progressing well with installation and a public unveiling planned for June 2023.   

 

·        Peace IV - Shankill Shared Women’s Centre – On Ground and due to complete end 2023.

 

·        Peace IV - Black Mountain Shared Space Centre – On Ground. Phase 1. Works progressing well. Phase 2 design team appointed. Planning application submitted. Procurement of works contractor underway.

 

·        Paisley Park – On Ground. Works progressing and due to complete in autumn 2023. Project includes an upgrade to 3G pitch, new floodlights and additional changing facilities 

 

·        Brown’s Bridge - The bridge in Lagan Meadows was closed due to structural defects and associated health and safety risks to the public.  Repair works starting w/c 26th June

 

·        ABC Trust Health and Leisure Hub – This £5.9m partnership project via LIF, DfC, DfI, Flax Trust and Urban Villages involves the transformation of a derelict building formerly St Gemma’s College into a modern, purpose built health and leisure community facility. Contractor appointed and work is progressing on site.

 

·        The Lockhouse - This £1.5m partnership project will reimagine a historic and culturally important residential building along the Lagan towpath into a community focal point for good relations activity and cross-community partnership working including minority ethnic communities. Funded by LIF, DfC, DfI and Urban Villages. Works underway on site.

 

·        Corporate projects – Range of IT projects to ensure business continuity and ongoing Fleet replacement programme

 

·        LIF and BIF - A total of 6 projects on site under the BIF Programme, 12 completed to date; and a total of 7 projects are on the ground under the LIF Programme, 123 projects completed to date.

 

            CAPITAL PROGRAMME - PROPOSED MOVEMENTS

3.4       The Committee agreed that all capital projects must go through a three-stage process where decisions on which capital projects progress are taken by the Committee. This provides assurance as to the level of financial control and will allow Members to properly consider the opportunity costs of approving one capital project over another capital project. The Committee is asked to note the following activity on the Capital Programme:

 

Project	Overview	Stage movement
IT Programme – SIEM QRadar Log Manager	Replacement of the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Log collector to help protect the IT infrastructure against cyber-attack.	Move to Stage 3 – Committed (Tier 2 – Scheme Underway)
Waterfront Hall - Chiller Units	Replacement of the chiller units at the Waterfront Hall to ensure adequate cooling for events and operational requirements.	Add as a Stage 1 – Emerging project
Waterfront Hall - Smoke Curtains	Redesign and replacement of the smoke curtain system at Waterfront Hall due to operational requirements	Add as a Stage 1 – Emerging project
City Hall Christmas Tree Provision	Consideration of options for replacement of the current Christmas Tree provision in front of the City Hall with an alternate solution	Add as a Stage 1 – Emerging project
Cremated Remains Burial Plots	Development of cremated remains plots at Roselawn.	Add as a Stage 1 – Emerging project

 

3.5       IT Programme – SIEM QRadar Log Manager System

 

            Under the Council’s IT Programme of work, this project has been identified as being business critical and required to ensure continuity of service provision. The project involves the procurement and commissioning of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Log Manager System. A Log Manager system collates data logs from many different ICT infrastructure appliances and can cross reference them to provide a total Security profile for the council and will help protect the IT infrastructure against Cyber-attack.

 

            The Committee is asked to note that a satisfactory tender return has been achieved and it is recommended that a maximum of £45,000 is now allocated to this project. The Director of Finance has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council due to the corporate criticality requirements and to ensure business continuity is maintained.

 

3.6       Waterfront Hall – Chiller Units

 

            The existing chiller units at the Belfast Waterfront have been in place since the opening of the Waterfront and are reaching the end of their economic life. The proposal is to replace the existing chiller units with high efficiency equivalents to improve performance and resilience to ensure a more efficient cooling system.  The Committee is asked to agree that ‘Waterfront Hall – Chiller Units’ be added to the Capital Programme as a Stage 1 – Emerging project to allow the project and costs to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

 

3.7       Waterfront Hall – Smoke Curtains

 

            Smoke curtains deploy under gravity to prevent smoke reaching other parts of a building including emergency exit routes in the case of a fire. The existing smoke curtains at the Waterfront have been in place since the opening of the Waterfront and this will examine the potential for new technological solutions which were not available at the time of the original installation. The Committee is asked to agree that ‘Waterfront Hall – Smoke Curtains’ be added to the Capital Programme as a Stage 1 – Emerging project to allow the project and costs to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

 

3.8       City Hall Christmas Tree Provision

 

            The City Hall Christmas tree is a major central point within the City Centre and can set the tone for the Christmas celebrations both for visitors and the local economy. Issues with tree quality and supply are expected to increase in future years and Members may wish to consider exploring a suitable alternative. Options will be explored to replace the tree with an alternative sustainable option, to gather options and costs and to look at funding streams either purchasing or leasing, and the additional costs for installation and storage moving forward. Members can note that this proposal is at an early stage of options development and does not impact on the plans recently approved by Council for Christmas 2023. The Committee is asked to agree that ‘City Hall Christmas Tree Provision’ be added to the Capital Programme as a Stage 1 – Emerging project to allow the project and costs to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

 

3.9       Cremated Remains Burial Plots

 

            In February 2020 Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group considered a report which initiated this proposal to develop a section for 622 cremated remains plots in Roselawn cemetery. This land is unsuitable for earth burials but is suitable for cremated remains burials subject to planning permission. The number of cremated remains burials has more than doubled since 2015.  To provide for this increased demand and make efficient use of existing burial land at Roselawn it is proposed to develop a cremated remains only section. A Pre-Application Discussion took place in March and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council who have advised that the principle would be acceptable subject to a planning application.  The proposal is at an early stage of development. The Committee is asked to agree that ‘Cremated Remains Burial Plots’ be added to the Capital Programme as a Stage 1 – Emerging project to allow the project and costs to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

 

3.10      REQUEST FOR COUNCIL TO ACT AS DELIVERY AGENT

 

            Members are asked to note that the Council has recently been requested to act as the delivery agent in principle for an additional transformational project under the Urban Villages Initiative – the Donegall Pass Good Relations Hub on the former PSNI site. Committee is asked to note that these projects are being 100% externally funded with the Executive Office as core funder. There is no Council financial commitment to the project. The Committee is asked to agree, in principle, to the Council acting as delivery agent for this project subject to the Council receiving a management fee for the delivery, full funding package being in place and further discussions with Legal Services.

 

3.11      APPROVAL TO PROCURE

 

            The Committee is asked to agree that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for any Physical Programme projects including externally funded projects for 2023/24 as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

 

            Financial and Resources Implications

 

3.12      Finance – Capital Programme projects are equality screened.

            Resources – Officer time to deliver as required.

 

3.13      Equality or Good Relations Implications/ Rural Needs Assessment

 

            None.”

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendations and granted approval to proceed with the erection of dual-language signage in the Marrowbone Millennium Park, subject to an equality screening.