Agenda item

            The Director of Property and Projects submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or 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 presents requests for stage movement approvals under the Capital Programme.

2.0        Recommendations

2.1        The Committee is requested to –

·         Capital Programme Movements -

o   Cremated Remains Burial Plots – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with a contract to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

o    Belfast Zoo Improvement Works Phase 2 – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £950,000 to address serious H&S and welfare issues to be taken from the £1.4m agreed by Committee for capital works at the Zoo as part of the rates setting process in January 2025. 

o    Open Spaces and Streetscene (OSS) Machinery Replacement Programme – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

o    Greening and Growing Project – Agree that the project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

o    Workshop Plant Replacement Programme - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed.

o    Fernhill House and Courtyard - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed. 

o    Lenadoon Greenway - Agree that the project is added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed. 

3.0        Main report

            Key Issues

            Physical Programme

3.1        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 Property & Projects Department is happy to arrange a site visit to any projects that have been completed or are underway.

            Capital Programme - Proposed Movements

3.2        As outlined above Members have 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:

3.3        Cremated Remains Burial Plots

            In September 2023, this project was moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted on the Capital Programme with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course. The project is for the development of 622 cremated remains burial plots utilising shallow land within Roselawn cemetery which is unsuitable for full earth burials. Following survey and assessment work which was undertaken in Section P it has been agreed that the development of the plots for the repose of cremated remains is feasible from both a planning and technical perspective. Work is also underway on looking at the operational arrangements and pricing model. Members are asked to agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed and held at Tier 0 – Scheme at Risk, pending further development of the project and a satisfactory tender return; and that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated. A contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender received and full commitment to deliver.

3.4        Belfast Zoo Improvement Works Phase 2

            This project was moved to the Capital Programme at Stage 2 – Uncommitted in April 2025. The project is to carry out essential health and safety works and enclosures upgrades in the Belfast Zoo which are necessary for the Zoo to retain its licence. This will address the H&S and welfare issues for animals, keepers and the public as well as improvements to enclosures. The essential capital works identified include boundary fencing repairs in a number of critical areas, upgrades to existing animal enclosures to prevent incursions, replacement of the windows in a number of animal enclosures and replacement of the climbing within the ape house. Members will recall that £1.419,000 was agreed for capital works at the Zoo as part of the rate setting process in January 2025.  Members are asked to agree that the project is moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £950,000 to address the serious H&S and welfare issues be taken out of the £1.4m previously agreed by Committee in January 2025.

3.5        Open Spaces and Streetscene (OSS) Machinery Replacement Programme

            This project was added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging in June 2025, to replace grounds maintenance machinery to maintain service provision across the Council’s estate. These machineries are beyond its economically viable life span and no longer financially viable to maintain in use for the respective services. As per the three-stage approval process, a strategic outline case has been submitted. Members are asked to agree that the ‘OSS Machinery Replacement Programme’ project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

3.6        Greening & Growing Project 

            This project was added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging in August 2025. This project focuses on biodiversity improvement and sustainable food growing development funded through Shared Island Fund programme. It will be delivered at the GROW NI community garden at Waterworks, in partnership with Belfast City Council and Belfast Healthy Cities. As per the three-stage approval process, a strategic outline case has been submitted. Members are asked to agree that the Greening & Growing Project is moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow the options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to Committee in due course.

3.7        Workshop Plant Replacement Programme

            The proposed ‘Workshop Plant Replacement Programme’ project aims to replace workshop plant which exceeded 10 plus years of working wear and tear and no longer fit for purpose. Members are asked to agree that the project is added to Stage 1 – Emerging to allow the business case to be developed.  

3.8        Fernhill House and Courtyard

            In November 2024, Members have received an overall Heritage Assets update including Fernhill House and Courtyard and agreed that the Council explores options for bringing the Courtyard at Fernhill back into active use as an outdoor education/ activity space linked to the Access to the Hills project and building on the success of the Forth Meadow Community Greenway and authorised officers to discuss this opportunity with potential partners. On 1 September 2025, the Council agreed to allocate approximately £900k to Fernhill House redevelopment. Members are asked to agree that the project is added to Stage 1 – Emerging to allow the business case to be developed.  

3.9        Lenadoon Greenway

            The proposed greenway aims to connect local residents with nearby green spaces and outdoor facilities, including Lenadoon Millennium Park, Half Moon Lake, Colin Glen Forest Park, Padraig Sairseil CLG Walkway and the wider Belfast Hills. Members are asked to agree that the project is added to Stage 1 – Emerging to allow the business case to be developed.  

3.10      Financial and Resource Implications

            Financial Implications –

            Belfast Zoo Improvement Works Phase 2 – capital allocation of up to £950,000 from the £1,4m previously agreed by Committee in January 2025 as part of the rates setting process for capital works at the Zoo.

            Resource Implications – Officer time to deliver.

3.11      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.