Belfast City Council All-Party Working Group on Drugs Misuse Minutes 18 April 2005
From Nigov
B3575
Policy and Resources Committee
Monday, 18th April, 2005
Contents |
MEETING OF ALL-PARTY WORKING GROUP ON DRUGS MISUSE
Members present: Councillor E. Smyth (Chairman); and the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne).
In attendance:
- Mr. B. Flynn, Business Support Assistant.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 4th March, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Review of Government’s Decision to Reclassify Cannabis
The Working Group considered the undernoted report in respect of the Government’s recent decision to review the reclassification of cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug.
The Working Group expressed its satisfaction with the decision to review the earlier reclassification of cannabis.
Shankill Youth and Community Project
The Working Group was informed that the Shankill Youth and Community Project would be holding, from 27th till 29th May, a weekend of events geared towards young persons. The programme would aim to provide an alternative to, and highlight the dangers of, drug and alcohol abuse. It was reported that the co-ordinator of the event, Mr Jonathan McKee, was in attendance and he was admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor E. Smyth).
Mr McKee thanked the Members for receiving him. He advised the Working Group of the extent to which a drug and alcohol culture had become part of a weekend routine among the youth of the Greater Shankill area and referred to a number of tragic incidents which had occurred in recent years. He stated that the primary purpose of the event would be to raise awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and to provide substance-free, family-orientated activities at which the community’s understanding of the dangers of substance abuse would be enhanced. He indicated that he had received the support of the four main secondary schools in the area and that representatives of the Linfield and Glentoran Football Clubs would be in attendance to assist in promoting a drugs-free message. He added that there would be no admission charge to any of the events and it was anticipated that approximately 1,500 young people would be in attendance throughout the weekend. Mr McKee concluded by pointing out that the anticipated costs for the weekend of events would be in the region of £4,000 and he requested the Working Group to consider the provision of financial assistance. He then thanked the Working Group for receiving him and retired from the meeting.
The Members expressed the view that the event could have a positive impact on young people by creating awareness of the dangers associated with alcohol and drugs. It was considered that the event would contribute positively to the area since it would target a specific community need. Accordingly, the Working Group agreed that the event was worthy of support under the Council’s Corporate Objective of Providing Civic Leadership.
It was accordingly
Resolved – That, subject to the submission of receipted expenditure, a sum of £1,000 in respect of aforementioned event be granted to the Shankill Youth and Community Project and that such expenditure be approved under Section 115 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, it being the opinion of the Working Group that the expenditure would be in the interest of, and would bring direct benefit to, the District, the inhabitants of the District, with the Working Group being satisfied that the direct benefits so accruing would be commensurate with the payment to be made.
Chairman
