Agenda item

            The Director of Property and Projects 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 over 400 capital projects 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 overall 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, and for approval to procure as required for the Physical Programme.

 

2.0       Recommendation

 

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

 

·        Physical Programme Half Year Update - note the overall update on projects that have been completed recently and projects currently under construction at 3.1 to 3.5 below and in Appendix 1; and that the Property & Projects Department is happy to arrange a site visit to any projects that have been completed or are underway.

·        Capital Programme Movements - to agree the following movements under the Capital Programme:

 

o   IT Programme – F5 Access Policy Manager / Web Application Firewall project – note that a satisfactory tender return has now been achieved and that it is recommended that a maximum £30,200 is now allocated to this project.

o   City Hall External Christmas Tree project– move the project to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to enable development of an outline business case.

o   Dual Language Street Signs - Gaeltacht Quarterproject – add the project to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

 

·        Fleet Programme 2024/2025 – note the agreed Fleet Programme for 2024/25

·        City Hall Statues – note the update on the programme of events to mark the installation of the two new statues in City Hall grounds of Winifred Carney and Mary Ann McCracken on Friday 8th March – International Women’s Day as outlined in 3.11 below.

·        Procurement process for 2024/25 Non-Recurrent Programme, Fleet Programme and Externally Funded Projects - agree that any necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for any Physical Programme projects in 2024/25 including Fleet Replacement Programme, non-recurrent programme and externally funded projects 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 physical programmes and standalone projects that we deliver for central government. Our funding partners include National Lottery Heritage Fund, SEUPB Peace IV, the Executive Office, DfC, DfI including the Living with Water Programme, DAERA, Ulster Garden Villages, Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and others.  When appropriate, the Property & Projects Department 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.

 

3.3       Recently completed projects:

 

·        Templemore Baths – launch of the major £17m restoration of Templemore Baths with a focus on heritage and spa provision. The centre is open to the public and membership targets have been surpassed. This is the sixth of seven outstanding new leisure facilities to be launched in the last seven years as part of the £105 million Leisure Transformation Programme.

·        Marrowbone Millennium Park – a significant £4.3m partnership project with DfC, Urban Villages, and NIHE. New facilities include an IFA intermediate standard 3G pitch; a pavilion with 128 spectator seats, a multi-use community space and accessible changing facilities; a new play park; a multi-use games area; an outdoor gym and a community events space.

·        Forth Meadow Community Greenway - an ambitious and transformational £6.2m EU PEACE IV-funded scheme to connect existing open spaces in north and west Belfast along a 12km route from Clarendon Playing Fields to the new Transport Hub in the city centre. The signage package to be installed includes feature panels, narrative panels and beacon lights along all sections, subject to Council approval.

·        Belfast Zoo - Large Cats Enclosure and Sea Lion Pool  – the project eradicated immediate health and safety issues at Belfast Zoo in particular the lion enclosure and the water treatment plant at the Sea Lion pool. It also included a new viewing area and enhancement of zoo trails with greening and art.

·        Brown’s Bridge – bridge replacement works have been completed and the bridge is open to the public. The bridge in Lagan Meadows had been closed due to structural defects and associated health and safety risks to the public.

·        Frederick Douglass Statue – installation of a figurative sculpture celebrating the abolitionist, social reformer and early champion of women’s rights in Rosemary Street.

·        IT Security Log Manager Replacement - replacement of the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) log collector which is critical to protect the Council’s IT infrastructure against cyber-attack.

·        Other projects completed in the last six months include –

 

o   Strangford Avenue Playing Fields path and gate improvements

o   Loughside Park Trim Trail

o   New covered cycle stands at Avoniel and Lisnasharragh Leisure Centres

o   Boundary wall at Shankill Graveyard

o   Household Waste & Recycling Centres new skips and compactors

o   Cavehill Country Park playground embankment slide

o   Whiterock Leisure Centre pitch floodlight upgrade

 

·        Planned Maintenance – repair and maintenance work at Belfast Zoo, Grove Wellbeing Centre, Shankill Leisure Centre, Victoria Park, Thomas Patton Memorial Park, and also enhancements to metering and installation of Solar Film to the Waterfront Hall as part of the Climate Programme.

·        BIF Programme: Midland Boxing Club – completion of the boxing facility extension at Cultra Street.

·        SOF Programme: Roddy McCorley Heritage Centre – development of a modern interpretative museum and works on the existing grounds now complete.

·        LIF Programme: Cregagh Sports Club – phase 2 of works completed including ball-catch nets, car parking and hot water system; Lagan Village Youth & Community Association – community garden and outdoor urban space completed; and refurbishment of Star Neighbourhood Centre including outdoor improvements recently completed.

·        ABC Trust Health and Leisure Hub – this £5.9m partnership project via DfC, DfI, Flax Trust, Urban Villages and LIF involves the transformation of a derelict building formerly St Gemma’s High School into a modern, purpose built health and leisure community facility. Phase 1 of the project has been completed which provides a modern, purpose-built sports hall, support space and accommodation for Building Change Trust (BCT NI).

·        Colin Healthy Living Centre – this new community sports facility provides greater access to health and fitness facilities, supports mental health and wellbeing and promotes good relations for local residents. Delivered by the Council on behalf of the Executive Office as part of the Urban Villages Initiative.

·        Social Investment Fund – over the last number of years, the Property & Projects Department has been assisting the Executive Office to deliver their SIF Programme across Belfast. All Council delivered projects are now complete and the programme is drawing to a close. A summary of the work the Council has delivered for the Executive Office under this fund is at Appendix 2.

 

3.4       Physical projects underway:

 

·        Ballysillan Playing Fields - this is a £7.5m partnership project with DfI’s Living with Water Programme, DfC and Urban Villages. Design and engagement stages have been carried out and a Planning decision is awaited. It is anticipated that the contractor will be on site in Spring 2024 subject to planning approval.

·        Pitt Park – the £1.7 million redevelopment of Dr Pitt Memorial Park is well underway on site, funded by Urban Villages. Its aim is to create an attractive, safe and accessible area where families, children, and people of all ages can get active, have fun and enjoy the rich heritage of the area.

·        City Hall Statues – Winifred Carney and Mary Ann McCracken – sculptures of both women will be installed in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Mary Ann McCracken was an abolitionist, social reformer and activist who fought for the rights of women and championed Belfast’s poor, and Winifred Carney was a suffragist, trade unionist and Irish independence activist. Work is underway at the foundry and the aim is to hold the unveilings on International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March 2024 (see 3.11 below). 

·        Lagan Gateway Greenway Phase 2 – work continues on the next stages of this major investment of £5m in a new navigation lock, iconic foot and cycle bridge and new path connections. 

·        Shankill Shared Women’s Centre (Peace IV) – this significant new building is nearing completion with an official opening anticipated in June 2024.

·        Black Mountain Shared Space Centre (Peace IV) – Works due for completion. For the next phase, the design team has been appointed, a Planning submission has been submitted and procurement of the main contractor is underway.

·        The Lockhouse - this £2.7m 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.

·        ABC Trust Health and Leisure Hub – Phase 2 of the project has commenced which comprises a community café, boxing club, minor halls, community gym and office space.

·        Playground Improvement Programme – Loughside Park, North Link and New Lodge playgrounds.

·        Corporate projects – range of IT projects to ensure business continuity and ongoing delivery of Fleet replacement programme.

·        LIF and BIF - a total of 3 projects on site under the BIF Programme, 16 completed to date; and a total of 5 projects are on the ground under the LIF Programme, 126 projects completed to date.

 

3.5       Physical projects in development:

 

            The remainder of the Physical Programme includes projects in the development stage (Stage 2 – Uncommitted, Stage 1 – Emerging or equivalent) including:

 

·        Capital Programme: Cathedral Gardens, New Crematorium, Belfast Stories, Reservoir Safety Programme, Alleygates Phase 5, LTP Girdwood Indoor Sports Facility, Waste Plan, HWRCs & CAS Containers, Relocation of Dunbar Link Cleansing Depot, New Cemetery, Access to the Hills – connections from Cavehill to Black Mountain, Sydenham Greenway, Glencairn Park/Ligoniel Park Greenway, Black Mountain / Upper Whiterock Greenway, Colin Greenway, City Hall – Installation of 2 Stained Glass Windows.

·        Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund – 16 projects have recently moved to Stage 3 – Delivery and 7 projects are at Stage 2 – Development stage.

·        A range of other schemes including the remaining LIF, BIF and SOF projects plus other externally funded projects such as Paisley Park.

·        Peace Plus – Reconnected Belfast – the Waterworks and Alexandra Park upgrades and projects under the Local Action Plan.

           

            Capital Programme - Proposed Movements

 

3.6       Members 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. Members are asked to note the following activity on the Capital Programme:

 

Project	Overview	Stage movement
IT Programme – F5 Access Policy Manager Project / Web Application Firewall	Procurement and commissioning of the F5 security suite consisting of Web Application Firewall and VPN modules.   Maximum of £30,200 to be allocated	Stage 3 – Committed
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.	Move to Stage 2 – Uncommitted
Dual Language Street Signs - Gaeltacht Quarter	The erection of dual language street signs en bloc with the Gaeltacht Quarter.	Add to Stage 1- Emerging

 

3.7       IT Programme – F5 Access Policy Manager Project

 

            In October 2023, Members agreed to move the IT programme - F5 Access Policy Manager/ Web Application Firewall project to Stage 3 – Committed pending a satisfactory tender return. The tender return has now been received. The Director of Finance has confirmed that it is within the affordability limits of the Council. Members are now asked to agree a budget for the F5 Access Policy Manager/ Web Application Firewall project of a maximum of £30,200.

 

3.8       City Hall Christmas Tree Provision

 

            In June 2023, the City Hall Christmas Tree Provision project was added to Stage 1- Emerging under the Capital Programme. The City Hall Christmas tree is a major focal point within the City Centre and can set the tone for the city’s 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 are now being explored in detail to replace the tree with an alternative sustainable option. As per the three stage approvals process, a Strategic Outline Case has been completed and the team can now progress to Outline Business Case stage.

 

            Members are asked to agree that ‘Christmas Tree Provision’ be moved to the Capital Programme Stage 2 – Uncommitted project to allow the options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

 

3.9       Dual Language Street Signs - Gaeltacht Quarter

 

            In November 2023, the Council agreed that Dual Language Street signs in the Gaeltacht Quarter would be taken forward en bloc and that the project would be delivered as a capital project. Members are asked to note that the scheme is being progressed at pace, working closely with Building Control as client and that further stage movements are anticipated to come forward shortly.

 

            Members are asked to agree that the Dual Language Street Signs - Gaeltacht Quarter project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

 

3.10      Capital Programme - Fleet Programme 2024/25

 

            Members will know that the Council needs to run and maintain a substantial fleet in order to deliver its services. There is a rolling allocation of £2.2m towards the Fleet Programme for 2024/25 with an additional budget allocation of £2m in year under the Capital Programme at Stage 3. The Fleet Programme has been developed in conjunction with Council departments and reflects the service needs of the organisation, and there are ongoing issues caused by the high age profile and condition of the fleet operating well beyond its recommended operational life cycle. The purchase of these vehicles will also assist in the harmonisation of vehicle types as recommended in the AECOM report of 2021. It will also result in the replacement of Euro 5 engines with Euro 6 equivalents which have an improved emissions standard. The agreed Fleet Programme for 2024/25 is attached at Appendix 3.

 

            Members are asked to note the agreed Fleet Programme for 2024/25.

 

3.11      City Hall Statues - Members will be aware that the installation of two new statues in City Hall Grounds of Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney has been agreed. Committee was advised last month that these would be formally revealed on Friday 8th March which is fitting as it is International Women’s Day.  The inclusion of two women, whose contribution to the City, their values, beliefs, what they strived to achieved throughout their lives still very much resonates with today’s society.  The two new pieces in City Hall grounds will bring to the fore the issues still faced by our diverse society within the City, stimulating debate and discussion.  

 

            The proposed programme for the 8th March includes –

 

·        Event to mark the installation – 2pm in the City Hall Grounds.  Speakers to include the Lord Mayor, the artist and a representative from ICTU. 

·        Panel discussion/debate, to include some drama, poetry and music – evening event in the City Hall.

 

            Plans include the publication of a booklet which will be given out at both events and available after, a shortened version of which will be published on Council’s website and accessed through a QR code on the statue.

 

            Members will note that there is likely to be significant media attention in the new statues and a full comms plan is being developed around this. Given the level of media interest and coverage generated by the Frederick Douglass statue it is anticipated that City Hall statues will supercede that.  The last additions to City Hall grounds were the Titanic Memorial Gardens opened 15 April 2012 and Operation Banner Memorial in 2013. Members will be kept up to date and will receive invitations to both events. 

 

 

3.12      Approval to Procure 2024/25

 

            Members are asked 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 Programme projects in 2024/25 including Fleet Replacement Programme, non-recurrent programme and externally funded projects as required with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

 

3.13      Financial and Resource Implications

 

            Financial Implications:

 

·        IT Programme – F5 Access Policy Manager Project - Up to a maximum of £30,200.

·        Fleet Programme - There is a rolling allocation of £2.2m towards the Fleet Programme for 2024/25 with an additional budget allocation of £2m in year under the Capital Programme.

 

            The Director of Finance has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council.

 

            Resource Implications – Officer time to deliver as required.

 

3.14      Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

 

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

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendations