Minutes:
The Committee was advised that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 23rd October, referred the following motion to the Committee for consideration, which had been proposed by Councillor Nelson and seconded by the High Sheriff, Councillor McAteer:
‘This Council recognises the commitment laid out in the Together: Building a United Community' (T:BUC) Strategy to remove all Interface structures by 2023. Recognises that a failure to remove the interface barrier in Alexandra Park would be a missed opportunity and commits to developing plans to ensure the complete removal of the interface structure as part of the Reconnecting Waterworks and Alexandra Park project.
That a report is submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee detailing plans for the removal, alongside a programme of work with local stakeholders to establish support required to assist with the transition, including local detached youth and community relations provision, coinciding with significant investment in the park.
That Belfast City Council engages with key stakeholders, including the Department of Justice Interface Programme, to identify any resources that can assist with the removal of the interface barrier.’
Councillor Murphy proposed additional wording (highlighted in bold) and the proposer accepted the amendment. The motion, as amended, therefore read:
‘This Council recognises the commitment laid out in the Together: Building a United Community' (T:BUC) Strategy to remove all Interface structures by 2023. Recognises that a failure to remove the interface barrier in Alexandra Park would be a missed opportunity and commits to developing plans to ensure the complete removal of the interface structure as part of the Reconnecting Waterworks and Alexandra Park Project.
That this Council prioritises the concerns of surrounding residents in this regard as per the T:BUC strategy in that “the removal of barriers cannot proceed unless local resident’s views, perceptions and consent are sought.
That a report is submitted to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee detailing plans regarding Alexandra Park Wall removal, in the context of the above over-arching priority, which will include plans for local stakeholder and resident engagement, including relevant statutory agencies, local detached youth and community relations organisations.
This Council also recognises the acute sporting pitch provision need in this area of Belfast and determines to ensure that the report to SP&R reflects this as an opportunity to address that need in an overall process of investment and wall-removal.
That this Council agrees that the SP&R report should include detail regarding accompanying significant investment in the park.
That Belfast City Council engages with the above stakeholders and refer to all past internal BCC reports re Alexandra Park, especially concerning the interface barrier, so as to explore all strategies and potential resources that can assist with the removal of the Alexandra Park interface barrier.’
During discussion, several Member’s highlighted that community engagement was integral to the process.
After discussion, the Committee:
· noted that in accordance with Standing Order 13(i) that Notices of Motion which commit the Council to expenditure must be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration and report;
· agreed the amended motion: and
· noted that a subsequent report would be brought to Committee outlining a detailed consideration of the Notice of Motion and the potential implications including any implications in respect of the letter of offer for the project.