Minutes:
The Programme Director (Belfast Stories) and Creative and Strategic Lead (Belfast Stories) presented an update on the design development and progress of the Belfast Stories Project, together with key programme milestones.
Proposal
Moved by Councillor Beattie,
Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin,
That the Committee approve the recommendations (points 1-7) as outlined in the report and agrees not to proceed with the following recommendations (points 8 – 9), namely:
· to undertake design development to include enhanced studio provision (Media Production Studio) in the planning application for the Belfast Stories scheme and to complete an addendum to the Outline Business Case to include the Media Production Studio; and
· to the financing of the additional capital costs associated with the Media Production Studio as set out at 3.31, subject to legal agreements and the approval by Council and the Department for Economy of an addendum to the Belfast Stories Outline Business Case.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Maghie,
Seconded by Councillor Smyth,
That the Committee approve the recommendations (points 1-7) as outlined in the report and agrees:
· to undertake design development to include enhanced studio provision (Media Production Studio) in the planning application for the Belfast Stories scheme and to complete an addendum to the Outline Business Case to include the Media Production Studio, subject to future consideration by the Committee; and
· Defer consideration of the recommendation ‘to the financing of the additional capital costs associated with the Media Production Studio as set out at 3.31, subject to legal agreements and the approval by Council and the Department for Economy of an addendum to the Belfast Stories Outline Business Case’ so that a report on Community Consultation can be submitted to the Committee in December.
On a vote, eight Members voted for the proposal and eight against. There being an equality of votes, the Chairperson exercised her second and casting vote against the proposal and it was subsequently declared lost.
The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor Beattie and seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin was put to the meeting when eight Members voted for it and eight against. There being an equality of votes, the Chairperson exercised her second and casting vote for the proposal and it was subsequently declared carried.
Accordingly, the Committee:
1. Noted the progress made to complete RIBA stage 2;
2. Noted the key programme milestones in RIBA stage 3, including the development of an Inclusive Growth Plan by January 2026 and the submission of the planning application in February 2026;
3. Agreed to Party Briefings during the consultation period to include updated designs and inclusive growth proposals;
4. Agreed to proceed with the programme of work, including obtaining specialist legal and financial advice to support the further assessment of options for the operator model for Belfast Stories;
5. Agreed to progress the setting up of a charitable entity focussed on the collection and preservation of stories with an update and detailed recommendations to be brought back to a future meeting following further legal advice;
6. Approved the Ethical Framework as set out in Appendix 2 and agreed to proceed with the Stories Initiatives as part of the Stories Development Programme as outlined in Section 3.19 – 3.21 and Appendix 3; and
7. Agreed to convene an advisory Stories Panel in line with the terms of reference set out at Appendix 4, subject to approval by Committee of membership following an Expression of Interest process.