Minutes:
The Committee considered a report which provided an update on a proposed way forward to design, develop and resource area-based community planning alongside enabling communities to bring forward proposals to transform local places through demonstrator projects and community wealth building initiatives.
The Committee:
Community Ownership
i. noted the positive feedback received from the recent Party Group briefings.
ii. Agreed the detailed proposals relating to the creation of the £1.5million ‘Community Ownership Fund’ as set out at in 3.5 to 3.13 of the report. The proposals related to:
§ Purpose and scope of the fund.
§ Guiding principles which would underpin the fund, including, for example, that it was an ‘open call’ process and would not result in any ongoing revenue costs for the council.
§ Funding allocation model - proportionate allocation across the city (North, South, East, West, Greater Shankill) based on deprivation and population.
§ Whether a 10% of any area allocation be made available to support feasibility studies as agreed through the Area Working Groups and the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.
§ The types of projects that could be supported through the fund.
§ Who was eligible and who was not eligible to apply to the fund.
The process for consideration and approval – including the role of the Members Area Working Group making recommendations to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration and final approval.
Area-based community planning
iii. noted the work currently underway across the city in relation to the development of Area-Based Plans and the different stages of maturity which existed;
iv. In relation to existing area-based plans (including the ‘Made in North Belfast’ plan and ‘Greater Shankill: A Plan to Grow’ plan), it was agreed that the Council indicate that it continued to be supportive of the ambition and approach adopted to developing the plan, however, would not be in a position to endorse the plans in totality as many of the proposals had possible financial and resources implications for the Council that would remain subject to established governance and decision-making processes;
v. agreed that officer representation on any emerging oversight structures linked to community-led area-based plans be agreed on the basis of the principles set out at para 3.24;
vi. agreed the proposed approach to supporting area-based community planning, as set out at paras. 3.34 -3.40, which would enable the council to effectively manage its role in supporting the development of such plans as well as delivery of demonstrator projects;
vii. agreed the funding allocation model as set out at para. 3.39 (e.g. proportionate allocation based on population and levels of deprivation), noting that this was applicable for this current funding allocation and was subject to review if there was additional future funding;
viii. agreed proposed governance and assurance arrangements as set out at para. 3.41;
ix. noted the importance and evolving nature of the city centre in terms of residential development and new communities alongside existing communities, and agreed that consideration be given to how an area-based planning approach could be brought forward and the role of elected members and council in facilitating this process;
x. noted the work underway to start to collate and map existing and/or emerging investments and initiatives by council delivered on an area basis across the city;
xi. noted continued work of officers engaging with NICS depts, including, but not limited to, DFC and TEO, to actively explore opportunities to leverage additional funding into supporting this process; and
xii. agreed that engagement takes place with members through Party Group briefings in relation to the possible development of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework. This engagement would be based on the further development of the draft framework considered by the Social Policy Working Group.