Belfast City Council Client Services (Community and Leisure Services) Sub-Committee Minutes 27 January 2005
From Nigov
C3345
Client Services Committee
Thursday, 27th January, 2005
MEETING OF CLIENT SERVICES (COMMUNITY AND LEISURE SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Cush (Chairman); and Councillors D. Browne, Hutchinson, Lavery, McCann, O’Neill, Patterson, Stoker and Walsh.
In attendance: Mr. M. Elder, Director of Client Services;
Mr. P. Lucas, Head of Recreation and Community
Development;
Ms. S. Moore, Community Services Manager; and
Mr. H. Downey, Committee Administrator.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 11th January, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Travellers’ Issues
(Mr. F. O’Hagan, Travellers' Liaison Officer, attended in connection with this item.)
Deputation from Clanmil Housing Association/Northern Ireland Housing Executive
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 11th January, it had agreed that representatives of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Clanmil Housing Association be invited to attend its next monthly meeting to provide clarification in relation to a number of Travellers’ issues.
The Head of Recreation and Community Development informed the Members that Clanmil Housing Association had requested that Mr. D. Hanway, Director of the Belfast Travellers’ Support Group, be allowed to attend the meeting with its representative and he sought the Sub-Committee’s approval in this regard. Accordingly, Mr. Hanway, together with Miss McCarty, Chief Executive, Clanmil Housing Association and Mr. A. Brannigan, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, was admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Cush).
Area ‘G’ Glen Road/Community House
A Member enquired as to when the Group Housing Scheme at the above mentioned site would be completed and as to whether the Scheme had differed from that which had been proposed originally. He made the point that the local community had not been provided with updates in relation to the progress of the Scheme. A further Member highlighted the lack of community facilities in some areas of the City and enquired as to the justification of providing within the Scheme a community house which would be utilised by sixteen families only. He sought from the deputation information in relation to the capital cost, the estimated running cost and future funding of such a facility.
In response, Ms. McCarthy informed the Sub-Committee that delays in the progression of the Group Housing Scheme had arisen due to the fact that Clanmil Housing Association had inherited the Scheme from another Housing Association. She stated that the first phase of the Scheme, which would provide six accommodation units, would be completed in either April or May. The second phase, which would include the construction of a community house, would commence shortly thereafter and would take between nine and twelve months to complete. She stated that it had been the intention of the Housing Association to provide local community groups with updates in relation to the progression of the Scheme and accepted that this had not been undertaken. Ms. McCarty reported that funding of approximately £200,000 had been obtained from the Belfast Regeneration Office for the construction of the community house on the Area ‘G’ Glen Road site. However, she was unable to provide information in relation to the running costs associated with the facility but made the point that the Clanmil Housing Association was seeking a partner organisation to assist with such costs.
Mr. Hanway informed the Sub-Committee that a community facility was provided on the site within a portacabin at present. He informed the Members that a purpose built community house would provide Traveller children with dedicated access to education, health facilities and other services such as after-schools clubs and added that applications would be made to a number of charities to assist in the funding of the facility. He made the point that, whilst it would be desirable for a community house to be provided also within the Monagh Road Group Housing Scheme, this might not be feasible from a financial perspective. He suggested that, prior to the commencement of phase 2 of the Area ‘G’ Glen Road Scheme, it might be appropriate to explore with the Council, the possibility of providing a community house on land outside the sites which would serve both Housing Schemes. However, should this not be feasible, he would support the development of the community house on the Area ‘G’ Glen Road site.
Monagh Road Group Housing Scheme
A Member highlighted the delay in the commencement of the Monagh Road Group Housing Scheme and sought clarification from Mr. Brannigan in this regard.
In response, Mr. Brannigan informed the Sub-Committee that the North and West Housing Association had been appointed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to undertake the development of the Scheme and that it would proceed upon the completion of the necessary formal legal agreements.
Glen Road Heights
A Member enquired as to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s proposals in respect of the future development of the Glen Road Heights site.
In response, Mr. Brannigan informed the Members that a fire which had occurred at the site had resulted in damage to a number of accommodation units and stated that the Housing Executive intended to proceed with demolition works at the location.
Unauthorised Encampments/Transit Site Provision
A Member highlighted the number of unauthorised encampments by Traveller families which had occurred over the previous number of weeks both on Council-owned land and at other locations throughout the City. He pointed out that the provision of transit sites was now the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and enquired as to whether it intended to provide such sites within the City. A further Member requested, in order to ensure that Traveller families would not be required to be forcibly removed from properties, that such sites be provided as a matter of urgency.
In response, Mr, Brannigan informed the Sub-Committee that there were currently no transit sites in Northern Ireland. However the provisions of the Unauthorised Encampments (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 required sites to be made available in order to eliminate unauthorised encampments. He stated that the Housing Executive intended to commence work on the acquisition of land for development as transit sites and explained that a portion of land at the Glen Road Heights site would be made available in the short-term for use by Traveller families.
The Chairman (Councillor Cush) thanked the deputation for being in attendance and they retired from the meeting.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Management and Status of Travellers’ Sites
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report which had been prepared by the Travellers' Liaison Officer in relation to the management and status of Travellers’ sites and appropriated land in Belfast.
Shaftesbury Recreation Centre/Leisure Centre Upgrading/Maintenance
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 11th January, it had agreed to defer consideration of the planned programme of priority maintenance works to enable further information to be provided in relation to alternative means of undertaking maintenance works to the Council’s Leisure Centres and the costs associated therewith. The Sub-Committee was reminded further that the Client Services Committee, at its adjourned meeting on 25th January, in considering the minutes of the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee of 11th January, had agreed that the minute under the heading “Shaftesbury Recreation Centre”, agreeing that the Centre be included in the Leisure Centres Refurbishment Programme and that only priority work be included in the first phase of the Programme, be referred back to the Sub-Committee to enable further information to be provided. A copy of the minute in that regard is set out hereunder.
The Head of Recreation and Community Development accordingly submitted for the Sub-Committee’s consideration a report in relation to the Council’s Building Upgrade Programme. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
During discussion, the Head of Recreation and Community Development requested, should the Sub-Committee be minded to defer consideration of the programme of closures, that it consider granting approval for the preparation of tender documentation in order to avoid undue delay.
After further discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of the recommendations contained within the report to enable further information to be obtained in relation to the levels of funding provided by the Council in relation to Grosvenor Recreation Centre, the Shaftesbury Recreation Centre and the Templemore Swim Centre. The Sub-Committee approved the drafting of the necessary tender documentation in relation to the priority works to be undertaken at the Council’s Leisure Centres.
Falls Leisure Centre – Progress Report
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 11th January, it had agreed to affirm its decision of 24th November that:
(i) signage within the Falls Leisure Centre be provided in the English language only and incorporate pictogram and tactile formats; and
(ii) a multi-lingual Welcome Sign be erected within the reception area of the Falls Leisure Centre and, upon refurbishment of other Council Community Centres and Leisure Centres, the languages on the signage to be displayed therein be determined by the Equality Officer, in consultation with the ethnic minority groups in the City.
The Head of Recreation and Community Development advised the Members that, should those decisions not be ratified by the Council on 1st February, this could result in the facility not being able to open on the anticipated date of 24th March and in the builder submitting a claim for loss and expenses incurred.
Noted.
Replacement of Synthetic Pitch at Olympia Leisure Centre
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 29th April, 2004, it had agreed to defer consideration of a report in respect of the provision of a replacement synthetic pitch at Olympia Leisure Centre to enable further investigations to be carried out in relation to alternative sources of funding and other related issues.
The Head of Recreation and Community Development informed the Sub Committee that the synthetic pitch, which had opened for use in 1990, had exceeded its anticipated lifespan and was required to be replaced. He reported that a private sector organisation had expressed an interest in developing the Olympia Leisure Centre site, although it had failed to submit any proposals in this regard. He explained that the sum of £500,000 had been included within the draft Capital Programme 2005/2006 to undertake the scheme. He pointed out that approximately £60,000 per annum was generated from the use of the pitch. Accordingly, he sought the Sub Committee’s approval to initiate a tendering process for the works associated with the replacement of the synthetic pitch at the Olympia Leisure Centre.
The Sub-Committee granted the approval sought, subject to the Capital Programme 2005/2006 being agreed.
Woodvale and Ardoyne Community Centres Schemes
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 2nd November, 2004, it had agreed to defer consideration of a report seeking authority for the commencement of a scheme for the replacement of the afore-mentioned Community Centres to enable the Director of Corporate Services to meet with each of the Party Groupings to obtain their views on the draft Capital Programme.
The Head of Recreation and Community Development reported that the replacement of the Ardoyne Community Centre and the Woodvale Community Centre would cost £775,000 and £600,000 respectively and that provision for these amounts had been made within the draft Capital Programme 2005/2006. He reported that discussions had taken place between the Party Groupings, the Director of Corporate Services and the Chief Officers in relation to the draft Capital Programme and that it was due to be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 4th February. Accordingly, he sought the Sub-Committee’s approval to commence a tendering process for the works associated with the replacement of Ardoyne Community Centre and Woodvale Community Centre.
The Sub-Committee granted the approval sought, subject to the Capital Programme 2005/2006 being agreed.
Investing Together – Report of the Task Force on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector
The Head of Recreation and Community Development submitted for the Sub Committee’s consideration a report in respect of the resourcing of the Voluntary and Community Sector. A copy of the report, with the exception of the report of the Task Force referred to therein, is set out hereunder:
After discussion, during which the Members raised a number of issues in relation to the role to be played by the Council in regard to the allocation of funding under the proposals, the Sub-Committee agreed that the Chief Executive, together with Mr. J. McGrath, Chairman, Task Force on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector, be invited to attend a future meeting of the Sub-Committee to discuss the report.
Charges for the Use of Community Centres
The Head of Recreation and Community Development submitted the undernoted proposed schedule of charges for the use of Community Centres to be applied during the Financial Year 2005/2006.
The Sub-Committee approved the proposed schedule of charges to be implemented with effect from 1st April, 2005.
Land at Whiterock Close
The Head of Recreation and Community Development informed the Sub Committee that Bunscoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh had rented from the Council, on a ninety-nine year lease, an area of land comprised of approximately three quarters of an acre at Whiterock Close.
He explained that the Bunscoil had moved to new premises and no longer required the land and had proposed that it be transferred either to the Council or to An Club Eachtra. It had discussed with the Ardmonagh Family Centre the possibility of the Centre making use of the land on a temporary basis. He reported that Council officers had sought from An Club Eachtra clarification of its proposals in respect of the land and had advised its representatives to consult with the Planning Service in this regard. He pointed out that the car park at the Whiterock Leisure Centre, which was beside the portion of land in question, was not sufficient to meet the needs of customers and expressed the view that, in the event of Bunscoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh relinquishing the land, consideration should be given to the provision of additional parking spaces at the Centre. He stated that the rental charge for the land had been reviewed recently by the Development Department and that a figure of £9,250 had been proposed, subject to it being reviewed on a five-year basis.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided and noted that a further report in respect of the future use of the land would be submitted to future meetings.
Chairman
