Minutes:
(Ms. W. Langham, Programme Director, attended in connection with this item.)
The Director of Property and Projects provided an overview of the Council’s Physical Programme, together with the requests for stage movement approvals under the Capital Programme.
Proposal 1
Moved by Councillor Smyth,
Seconded by Councillor Murray and
Resolved – The Committee agrees, in relation to 5-9 North Street, that a report be submitted to a future committee in relation to medium term studio space options for the creative sector and the Council engage with the Department for Communities and the Arts Council to look at mechanisms to support the sector going forward.
Proposal 2
Moved by Councillor Whyte,
Seconded by Councillor de Faoite and
Resolved – The Committee, in relation to Historic Tiled Street Signs, agrees that the project be moved to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme and agrees that a process looking at the future repair and maintenance of signs be investigated.
Proposal 3
Moved by Councillor Bunting,
Seconded by Councillor Ferguson and
Resolved – The Committee agrees that, in relation to Community Centres, the Braniel Community Centre and outdoor space be added as a Stage 1 – Emerging project onto the Capital Programme and agrees that a report be submitted to the Committee on the status of all Community Centres across the city, to include information on current service provision and gaps, within two months.
Proposal 4
Moved by Councillor Beattie,
Seconded by Councillor R-M. Donnelly,
Resolved - That the Committee agrees, in relation to Belfast Stories, to proceed with the Enhanced Studio to include an open-call for potential operators, in line with the Council’s Social Value Policy.
Accordingly, the Committee:
· Capital Programme Movements –
o Depot Charging Scheme - Agreed that the project be moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £76,324 (25% of project costs) being provided by the Council and noted that the Director of Finance had confirmed that this was within the affordability limits of the Council;
o IT Programme— HR/ Payroll Upgrade - Agreed that the project be moved to Stage 3 – Committed with a maximum allocation of up to £545,355 and noted that the Director of Finance had confirmed that this was within the affordability limits of the Council;
o Waterfront Hall – Chiller Units - Agreed that the project be 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 Assembly Rooms Cluster H&S Works - Agreed that ‘Assembly Rooms Cluster Health and Safety Works/Essential Repairs’ be moved to Stage 3 – Committed due to the condition of the buildings/cluster, and pending 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 with the works to be partly funded by the funding received under the World Monuments Fund in respect of the Assembly Rooms and noted that work was underway to explore feasibility for the use of the Assembly Rooms and its environs for the Fleadh with further detail to be brought back to Members;
o Leisure Programme – noted the movement of Girdwood Indoor Sports Facility to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme and agreed to move the remaining centres to be taken forward under the next phase to Stage 2- Uncommitted;
o Corporate Staff Accommodation - Agreed that the project be moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted to allow options to be fully worked up, with further detail to be brought back to the Committee in due course;
o Blackstaff Greenway - Agreed that the project be added to the Capital Programme at Stage 1 – Emerging to allow a business case to be developed;
o Historic Tiled Street Signs – Agreed that the project be moved to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme and agreed that a process looking at the future repair and maintenance of signs be investigated.
· Section 76 Planning Agreement Developer Contribution – Lagmore Youth Project – agreed that the S76 Agreement developer contribution be utilised to appoint an Integrated Consultancy Team to progress the detailed design and delivery of the new facility.
· Belfast Stories – agreed to proceed with the Enhanced Studio to include an open-call for potential operators, in line with the Council’s Social Value Policy, and submit the addendum to the Outline Business Case to the Department for Economy for approval and to agree to the financing of the additional capital costs associated with the Enhanced Studio, subject to necessary legal agreements being in place and the approval of the addendum to the OBC by the Department for Economy.
· 5-9 North Street – noted the update in relation to the current status of the building and that discussions were ongoing and agreed that a report be submitted to a future committee in relation to medium term studio space options for the creative sector and the Council engage with the Department for Communities and the Arts Council to look at mechanisms to support the sector going forward.
· Community Centres – Agreed that the Braniel Community Centre and outdoor space be added as a Stage 1 – Emerging project onto the Capital Programme and agreed that a report be submitted to the Committee on the status of all Community Centres across the city, to include information on current service provision and gaps, within two months.