Community and Recreation (Parks and Cemeteries) Sub-Committee 14 June 2005
From Nigov
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Community and Recreation Committee
Tuesday, 14th June, 2005
MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION (PARKS AND CEMETERIES SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Rodgers (Chairman); and Councillors Cush, Hartley, Humphrey, Kirkpatrick, McCausland, McGimpsey and Template:Bcc0506-O’Reilly.
In attendance:
- Mr. M. Elder, Director of Community and Recreation;
- Mr. M. Parkinson, Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services; and
- Miss L. Hillick, Committee Administrator.
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Austin, Long, McClenaghan and Stalford.
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of 14th March and 6th and 14th April, which were printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
First Meeting of Sub-Committee
The Chairman (Councillor Rodgers) welcomed the Members to the first meeting of the Sub-Committee following the recent Local Government Elections.
Day and Time of Future Meetings
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to hold its meetings at 12.00 noon on the first Tuesday of each month.
Overview of Parks and Cemeteries Services Section
The Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services reviewed the work which had been undertaken by the Sub-Committee during the previous Council term and indicated that a number of challenges would be required to be addressed during the next four years.
Noted.
Facilities Management Working Group
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, the Parks and Amenities Sub Committee, at its meeting on 10th December, 2002 had agreed, due to the high level of interest from outside organisations to enter into facility management agreements with the Council, that an All-Party Working Group be established for the purpose of determining a policy and strategy in relation to the facility management agreement process.
Arising from discussion in the matter, a Member referred to the vital contribution which the Working Group had made to the aforementioned process and recommended that the Working Group be re-constituted in order to deal with any further requests which might be received from outside organisations.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Familiarisation Visits
The Sub-Committee agreed that a series of familiarisation visits be undertaken to the North, South, East and West of the City to view the facilities which were currently under the control of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee. In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed that attendance thereat be considered as an approved duty.
Ligoniel Park – Proposal to Establish a Partnership with the Ligoniel Improvement Association
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report in relation to a proposal to establish a partnership with the Ligoniel Improvement Association to enable the Sub-Committee to receive a presentation from representatives of the Association in relation to its proposals in connection with the use of the Ligoniel Park.
Development of Former Ladies Pavilion at Cherryvale Playing Fields
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the former Ladies Pavilion at the Cherryvale Playing Fields. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
Arising from discussion, several Members expressed the view that, due to the fact that there was a shortage of changing facilities for sporting purposes throughout the City, it was imperative that the Council retained control and improve its existing facilities.
After discussion, it was
- Moved by Councillor McCausland,
- Seconded by Councillor McGimpsey,
That the Sub-Committee agrees to adopt the recommendation contained within the report.
On a vote by show of hands five Members voted for the proposal and three against and it was accordingly declared carried.
Exchange of Lands at Alexandra Park
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the Council’s lands located at the Alexandra Park. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation contained within the report.
Ben Madigan Heights – Alleged Public Right-of-Way
The Sub-Committee agreed to note the contents of a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, which provided an update in connection with an alleged public right-of-way located at Ben Madigan Heights.
Waterworks Site – Acquisition of Land
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the acquisition of land at Westland Road. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation contained within the report.
Ballymacarrett Walkway – Temporary Licence
The Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services informed the Sub-Committee that the Connswater Housing Association would be erecting a housing development on land located at Tamar Street and, in order to assist the building process, the Association had requested the temporary use of the Council’s lands located at the Ballymacarrett Walkway for use as a contractor’s compound.
He advised the Sub-Committee that the Association’s contractor, H.J. O’Boyle Limited, had indicated that should the Licence be granted, the lands would be reinstated and a Licence Fee of £60 per week would be payable to the Council. He pointed out that detailed terms regarding insurance would be included within an appropriate Licence Agreement and that access for those pedestrians using the walkway would not be impeded due to the fact that the area which was required by the Association did not form part of the existing walkway. Accordingly, he recommended that the Sub Committee agree to provide, for temporary use as a contractor’s compound, for a period of three months, approximately 163 square metres of land at Ballymacarrett Walkway to H.J. O’Boyle Limited, subject to a Licence Fee of £60 per week being levied and an appropriate Agreement to be prepared by the Director of Legal Services.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed that the disposal of the lands be notified, in accordance with Standing Order 62, to the Development Committee.
Renovation of Pitches – Phase 2
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, the Parks and Amenities Sub Committee, at its meeting on 6th April, had agreed that the Director of Client Services or the Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services be authorised to approve tenders which might be submitted from the date of the Local Government Elections until the Annual General Meeting of the Council, subject to a report on all tenders which had been approved during this period being submitted for the Sub-Committee’s consideration at a future meeting.
The Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services informed the Sub-Committee that it had not been possible for tenders to be returned during that period and, in order for works to commence over the summer period, he requested that authority be delegated to the Director of Community and Recreation and the Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Community and Recreation Committee, to approve tenders which might be submitted in relation to Phase 2 of the renovation of grass sport pitches.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Disposal of Lands at Ballygomartin Road South/Upper Whiterock Road
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the disposal of the Council’s lands at Ballygomartin Road South/Upper Whiterock Road. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
The Belfast Hills’ Partnership
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report in relation to the Council’s representation on the Belfast Hills’ Partnership to enable a legal opinion to be obtained from the Director of Legal Services.
Cremation Society of Great Britain – Cremation Conference 2005
The Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services informed the Sub-Committee that the above-mentioned Conference would be held in Torquay during the period from 13th till 15th July. The Society had indicated that the Conference programme would be varied and presentations would be of interest and relevant to cremation authorities. He reported that, in the past, the Conference had been considered to be worthy of attendance. Accordingly, it was recommended that the Sub-Committee authorise attendance at the Conference of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services (or their nominees). The cost associated with the attendance at the event would be approximately £660 per delegate.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation and authorised the payment of the Conference fees, together with the appropriate travelling, subsistence and attendance allowances in connection therewith.
Vandalism Report
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, in respect of incidents of vandalism which had occurred in Parks properties during the period from March till April, 2005.
Chairman
