Community and Recreation (Parks and Cemeteries) Sub-Committee 31 August 2005
From Nigov
C178
Community and Recreation Committee
Wednesday, 31st August, 2005
Contents |
SPECIAL MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION (PARKS AND CEMETERIES SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Rodgers (Chairman); and Councillors Austin, Hartley, Kirkpatrick, McCausland, McClenaghan 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.
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Long.
Ligoniel Park
Proposal to Establish a Partnership with the Ligoniel Improvement Association
The Committee considered a report in relation to a proposal to establish a partnership, in connection with the use of the Ligoniel Park, with the Ligoniel Improvement Association. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
It was reported that Messrs. J. Bradshaw, T. Morgan and C. O’Reilly, representing the Ligoniel Improvement Association were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Rodgers).
Mr. Bradshaw outlined for the information of the Sub-Committee the Association’s proposals in relation to the future use of the Park. He stated that the proposed Partnership would be aimed at:
- improving the natural environment of the Park and raising its profile;
- enabling a nature conservation site to be managed by the local community; and
- providing an opportunity to train young people in relation to waste minimisation, recycling and community composting, thus assisting the Council to inform communities of its waste management agenda.
Mr. Bradshaw reported that the Association’s proposals would be aimed also at training those persons within the Ligoniel area who had been unemployed to gain horticultural and conservation skills, which would assist them to gain employment.
He referred to the potential for the facility to be utilised as a gateway to access the Belfast Hills and the possibility of it being used to create links between the Divis Mountain and Squire Hills, thus creating a walkway and gateway to the entire mountain range area. He stated that the partnership arrangement would not only benefit the local community but would provide also an opportunity to bridge the gap between those urban and rural communities which existed on the Belfast Hills. He stated that the Ligoniel Improvement Association was working towards bringing a sense of a village atmosphere back into the area and the proposed project would be a further step towards achieving this goal.
Messrs. Bradshaw and Morgan then proceeded to answer various questions which were put to them by the Members and the Chairman (Councillor Rodgers), on behalf of the Sub-Committee, thanked them for being in attendance and they then retired from the meeting.
Arising from discussion, several Members expressed the view that, in order to assist the Sub-Committee to make an informed decision, it might prove useful for the Members to be provided with a map of the Ligoniel Park site, together with a copy of the Association’s Action Plan.
After discussion, during which the Sub-Committee expressed its support for the project, it was agreed to defer consideration of the matter to enable officers to hold further discussions with the Association in relation to its proposals. In addition, the Sub Committee agreed to undertake a study visit to the Park, together with representatives of the Ligoniel Improvement Association.
Open Space Strategy
Application for External Funding
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation an application for external funding in respect of the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Strategy. A copy of which, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to proceed with the submission of the Council’s application for external funding in respect of its Open Spaces Strategy on the basis of an Industrial Built Heritage approach, which might involve the Woodvale, Victoria and Dunville Parks, together with the Waterworks site those having been identified as possible sites to direct funding. In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed that progress reports in relation thereto be submitted for its consideration at regular intervals.
Chairman
