Belfast City Council Client Services Committee Minutes 19 April 2005
From Nigov
C3596
Tuesday, 19th April, 2005
MEETING OF CLIENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor P. Convery (Chairman); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors M. Browne, W. Browne, Crooks, Crozier, A. Maskey, McCann, McClenaghan, O’Neill, Rodgers, Stoker, Toan and Walsh.
In attendance:
- Mr. M. Elder, Director of Community and Recreation;
- Mr. P. Lucas, Head of Recreation and Community Development;
- Mr. M. Parkinson, Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services; and
- Miss K. Mullen, Senior Committee Administrator.
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of 3rd and 15th March, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
The Belfast Waterfront Hall Board
The minutes of the meeting of the Belfast Waterfront Hall Board of 30th March, copies of which had previously been circulated, were approved and adopted.
Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee
The minutes of the meeting of the Community and Leisure Services Sub Committee of 5th April, copies of which had previously been circulated, were approved and adopted.
The William Johnston Memorial Trust
The Members were informed that Mr. M. McCashin, Manager, Whiterock Leisure Centre, had been awarded second place in The William Johnston Memorial Trust Competition which had been open to all employees of the twenty-six Councils throughout Northern Ireland.
The Committee agreed that a letter of congratulations be sent to Mr. McCashin.
Parks and Amenities Sub-Committee
The minutes of the meetings of the Parks and Amenities Sub-Committee of 14th March, 6th April and 14th April, copies of which had previously been circulated, were approved and adopted.
Proposed Staffing Structure for Parks and Cemeteries Services Section
The Director of Community and Recreation pointed out that the Parks and Amenities Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 14th April, 2005, had agreed to defer consideration of a report on the proposed staffing structure for the Parks and Cemeteries Section to enable a further report detailing the costs associated with the proposals and its impact on existing staff to be submitted to a future meeting. He explained that this report would be more complete if consultation were able to be undertaken with staff within the Section and with the relevant Trades Unions, prior to the matter being considered again by the Sub-Committee and he requested authority to proceed on these lines.
The Committee granted the authority sought.
Support for the Voluntary Sector: Resource Centres
(Mrs. S. Moore, Community Services Manager, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee considered a report which had been prepared by the Director of Community and Recreation seeking guidance from the Members in respect of the 2005/2006 funding arrangements for Resource Centres. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee meeting on 5th April, it had been agreed that a report detailing the level of funding available to each individual Resource Centre and any possible additional resources which might be available be submitted to the Client Services Committee for consideration.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor Stoker, Seconded by Councillor W. Browne,
That the Committee agrees
(i) to the establishment with effect from 1st October, 2005 of a new grant fund entitled Community Development Support Grant (Capacity Building), in accordance with the criteria set out in the report presented to the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee at its meeting on 5th April;
(ii) that a final award from the Community Development Support Grant (Resource Centre), equivalent to six months funding, be made to those groups who had received funding under that grant heading during the financial year 2004/2005; and
(iii) that the Council make available, on request, professional support to facilitate the bidding process for grant-aid.
On a vote by show of hands six Members voted for the proposal and five against and it was accordingly declared carried.
Support for Sport
Mr. S. Rooney, Events Co-Ordinator, attended in connection with this item.)
Requests for Funding or Assistance
The Committee was informed that the Support for Sport Working Group, at its meeting on 8th April, had considered requests for funding or assistance which had been received under the headings of events, development and hospitality. Information in respect of the Working Group’s recommendations, as indicated hereunder, had previously been circulated:
Events
| Organisation | Amount Requested | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Spokes in Motion, Wheelchair Tennis Club | £5,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £4,225 |
| Irish Cricket Union | £10,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £10,000 |
| County Antrim Board of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association | £9,500 | Deferred – further information to be brought to a future meeting of the Client Services Committee |
| Northern Ireland Schools Football Association | £6,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £2,000 |
| Equestrian Sports Promotions Limited | £20,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £10,000 – dependent on the administration of 2004/2005 event being completed satisfactorily |
| Big G Promotions/ Irish Strength Association | £7,500 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £7,500 |
| Belfast Model Flying Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £750 |
| Phoenix Cycling Club | £5,000 | Do not support |
| Prokick Gym | £10,000 | Underwrite to a maximum of £10,000 |
Development
| Organisation | Amount Requested | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi Youth Centre | £1,250 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £926 and provision of an equipment grant in the sum of £250 |
| St. Pauls Ladies Gaelic Football Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £563 and provision of an equipment grant in the sum of £250 |
| Nukiwaza Sports Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £893 |
| St Patrick's Football Club | £900 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £675 |
| Corpus Christi Amateur Boxing Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £825 |
| O'Donovan Rossa Sports Club | £1,125 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,000 |
| Cliftonville Football Development Club | £1,071 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £616 and provision of an equipment grant in the sum of £250 |
| Olympian Triathlon Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,000 |
| Setanta Waterpolo Club | £700 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £700 |
| Suffolk Football Club | £500 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £375 |
| Balllymacarrett Arts and Cultural Society | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £563 |
| Bredagh Hurling Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,000 |
| Rosetta Taekwondo Club | £250 | Provision of an equipment grant in the sum of £250 |
| Bredagh Gaelic Athletic Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,000 |
| St. Brigids Gaelic Athletic Club | £1,000 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,000 |
| Mountaineering Council of Ireland | £250 | Provision of an equipment grant in the sum of £250 |
| Immaculata Boxing Club | £908 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £908 |
| Cumann Na Fuiseoige | £1,250 | Do not support |
Hospitality
| Organisation | Requested | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Cooke Rugby Football Club | Hospitality in the form of a finger buffet on 23rd April, 2005, for 100 people at Cooke Rugby Football Club | Provision of support up to a maximum of £500 |
| 92nd Belfast Boys' Brigade | Hospitality in the form of fork buffet for 200 people in Shandon Park Golf Club on 27th May, 2005 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,000 |
| Irish Cricket Union | Hospitality in the form of a fork buffet for 390 people in the City Hall on 30th June, 2005 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £3,000 |
| Northern Ireland Schools Football Association | Hospitality in the form of a finger buffet for 140 people in the City Hall on 12th May, 2005 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,120 |
| Belfast Model Flying Club | Hospitality in the form of a fork buffet for 40 people in the City Hall on 27th May, 2005 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £480 |
| Bloomfield Football Club | Hospitality in the form of a fork buffet for 90 people in the City Hall on 14th July, 2005 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,080 |
The Committee agreed to adopt the Support for Sport Working Group’s recommendations as indicated in the schedule.
The Committee authorised the Director of Community and Recreation to approve requests for events, development or hospitality received under the Support for Sport Scheme which might be submitted during the period from May till June, 2005 when the Committee would not be meeting due to the holding of the Local Government Elections. The Director of Community and Recreation confirmed that a report setting out the decisions taken under this delegated authority would be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.
Client Services Department Plan 2005/2006
The Committee agreed to note the contents of a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, which outlined the Departmental actions, emerging issues and key performances indicators for the period 2005 till 2006. The Director of Community and Recreation confirmed that quarterly progress reports would be brought to future meetings of the Committee.
Funding for Urban Youth Festival
The Committee considered a report which had been prepared by the Director of Community and Recreation outlining a proposal to hold an Urban Youth Festival during the summer of 2005 and seeking approval to make a financial contribution to the project. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
Following discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation.
Skateboarding Event
(Mr. S. Walker, Policy Development Manager, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 15th February, 2005, it had agreed funding in the sum of £30,000 in support of a skateboarding competition/event to be held in the Ozone/Ormeau Park from 24th June till 3rd July, 2005.
The Director of Community and Recreation updated the Members on progress to date in relation to the event.
The Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Stadium Youth and Community Project
The Director of Community and Recreation referred the Members to correspondence, copies of which had previously been circulated, which had been received from the Stadium Youth and Community Project organisation, seeking the Council’s authorisation for the use of the main hall at Shankill Leisure Centre on 29th May, 2005 and for its support for the event.
The Committee was informed that the Stadium Youth and Community Project Group was a charitable organisation and the event would provide an opportunity for young people to come together for a week-end of activities, culminating in a musical event at which they would be warned of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. There would be no admission charge to the event and it was anticipated that approximately 1,000 young people would be in attendance.
The Director of Community and Recreation advised the Members that the Drugs Working Group, at its meeting on 18th April, had agreed to financial support in the sum of £1,000, for the event. He advised the Members that the cost to the group for the use of the main hall at Shankill Leisure Centre would be £1,485.35 and requested that the Committee give consideration to supporting the event.
After discussion, the Committee agreed to support the event financially, in that the Community and Recreation Department would levy a special charge for the use of the Shankill Leisure Centre of £1,000.
Tall Ships 2009
The Committee considered a report which had been prepared by the Director of Community and Recreation updating the Members on the progress of Belfast’s bid to host the Tall Ships in the City in 2009. The Director of Community and Recreation advised the Committee that Belfast had now been offered the opportunity to become a host port in the 2009 Tall Ships Race and informed the Committee that a “Heads of Agreement” document with Sail Trading International was required to be signed in order to secure the offer.
Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee agree that Sail Trading International be informed of Belfast’s interest to act as host to the Tall Ships in 2009 and that a “Heads of Agreement” document be signed to this effect.
Following discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation.
Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge over the River Lagan
The Director of Community and Recreation referred the Members to correspondence, copies of which had previously been circulated, which had been received from the Sustrans Organisation advising of a proposal for the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Lagan, linking the Gasworks Site to Ormeau Park.
The Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Quarterly Return of Sickness Absence
The Director of Community and Recreation submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, on the quarterly return of sickness absence for the Department for the period from October till December, 2004.
The Director referred to the figures contained within the report, which indicated that the average number of days’ absence per person for the quarter had been 6.34 days compared to 5.25 days in the previous quarter and 4.01 days for the same period in 2003. He pointed out that officers were continuing to strive to keep the level of absence under control.
The Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Renovation of Pitches - Falls Park Camogie Pitch
The Committee considered the undernoted report which had been prepared by the Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services in relation to the renovation of camogie pitches at Falls Park.
Following discussion it was
Moved by Councillor Stoker, Seconded by the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne) and
Resolved – That consideration of the matter be deferred to present a further report to be prepared in relation to the funding of the project and to permit consultation to be undertaken with the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Development of Play Facilities at McCrory Park
The Committee considered the undernoted report which had been prepared by the Director of Community and Recreation seeking approval for the acceptance of a tender for the construction of play facilities at McCrory Park.
The Committee adopted the recommendation contained within the report.
Last Meeting
As this was the last meeting of the Client Services Committee before the Local Government Elections, the Director of Community and Recreation paid tribute to the contribution of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the Members of the Committee during the term of the current Council. He also thanked the officers for their hard work and dedication during this time.
The Chairman (Councillor Convery) and the Members extended best wishes for the future to Councillors Crooks and Toan who would not be standing for re-election in the Local Government Elections.
Chairman
