Council 1 September 2005
From Nigov
A34
Council
MONTHLY MEETING OF BELFAST CITY COUNCIL
Held in the City Hall on Thursday, 1st September, 2005 at the hour of 6.00 o’clock p.m., pursuant to Notice.
Members present:The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne) (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Austin, M. Browne, Campbell, Cobain, Crozier, Cunningham, Cush, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Ekin, Empey, Ervine, Hanna, Hartley, Hendron, Humphrey, Jones, Kelly, Kirkpatrick, Lavery, Long, Maginness, A. Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McCarthy, McCausland, McClenaghan, McCoubrey, McGimpsey, McKenzie, McMillen, Template:Bcc0506-Mhic Giolla Mhín, Moore, Mullaghan, Newton, Template:Bcc0506-Ní Chuilín, O'Neill, O'Reilly, Patterson, Rodgers, Rodway, Smyth, Stalford, Stoker and Wilson.
Reading of Scriptures
In accordance with Standing Order 9, the Lord Mayor read a short passage from the Scriptures.
Summons
The Director of Corporate Services submitted the summons convening the meeting.
Filming and Recording of Proceedings
The Director of Corporate Services reported that requests had been received from the British Broadcasting Corporation and Ulster Television for permission to film and record the early part of the meeting. He requested that the Council indicate whether it wished to accede to those requests.
The Council granted permission for the companies to be admitted to the Council Chamber to record the first five minutes of the meeting.
Minutes
Moved by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne), Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery) and
Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Special Meeting of the Council of 1st July, 2005 and the Monthly Meeting of the Council of 4th July, 2005 be taken as read and signed as correct.
Expression of Sympathy
The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne) referred to the recent death of Lord Fitt who had served as a respected Member of the Council for a number of years. He, on behalf of the Council, extended his condolences to the family on their sad loss.
Change of Chairmanship of the Community and Recreation (Community and Leisure Services) Sub-Committee
The Chief Executive informed the Council that notification had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping that it wished Councillor Newton to replace Councillor McMillen as Chairman of the Community and Recreation (Community and Leisure Services) Sub-Committee.
In accordance with Standing Order 43(a), the Council approved the appointment for the period to end on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Council to be held in June, 2006.
Policy and Resources Committee
Moved by Councillor Rodway, Seconded by Councillor Stalford and
Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Policy and Resources Committee of 19th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Nomination of Member to Serve on the Northern Ireland Drainage Council
The Chief Executive reminded the Council that the Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 19th August, had agreed that the Council nominate as its representative on the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland a Member of the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping. He reported that he had been advised by the leader of that Party Grouping that it wished to nominate Councillor McKenzie for consideration for appointment to the above-mentioned Body.
The Council agreed that Councillor McKenzie be nominated to serve on the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland for the period to end on the date of the Local Government Elections to be held in May, 2009.
Community and Recreation Committee
Moved by Councillor Stoker, Seconded by Councillor Stalford,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Community and Recreation Committee of 16th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Amendments
Land at McClure Street
Moved by Councillor McCarthy, Seconded by Councillor McCann,
That the decision of the Community and Recreation Committee of 16th August under the heading “Land at McClure Street”, agreeing that expressions of interest be sought through public advertisement for the development of the site for both social and private housing purposes, subject to a minimum of twenty percent of the proposed development being utilised for social purposes, be amended to provide that the proposed development be utilised for social housing purposes only.
On a vote by show of hands twenty-two Members voted for the amendment and twenty-nine against and it was accordingly declared lost.
South Belfast Leisure Centre
Moved by Councillor McCann, Seconded by Councillor A. Maskey,
That the decision of the Community and Recreation Committee of 16th August under the heading “South Belfast Leisure Centre”, agreeing that the preferred site for the location of the South Belfast Leisure Centre be Ormeau Park, be amended to provide that the Maysfield site be the preferred location for the development of the South Belfast Leisure Centre.
After discussion, a division on the matter was demanded. A poll having being taken on the amendment, there voted for it twenty-one Members, viz., Councillors Attwood, Austin, M. Browne, Cunningham, Cush, Hanna, Hartley, Kelly, Lavery, Maginness, A. Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McCarthy, McClenaghan, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Moore, Mullaghan, Ní Chuilín, O’Neill and O’Reilly; and against it thirty Members, viz., the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors Adamson, Campbell, Cobain, Crozier, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Ekin, Empey, Ervine, Hendron, Humphrey, Jones, Kirkpatrick, Long, McCausland, McCoubrey, McGimpsey, McKenzie, McMillen, Newton, Patterson, Rodgers, Rodway, Smyth, Stalford, Stoker and Wilson.
The amendment was accordingly declared lost.
Request for Matter to be taken back for Further Consideration
Review of Client Contractor Split – Development of a New Management Structure to Support the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section
At the request of Councillor Hartley, the Chairman (Councillor Stoker), with the consent of Council, agreed that the minute of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub Committee of 9th August under the heading “Review of Client Contractor Split –Development of a New Management Structure to Support the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section”, as adopted by the principal Committee at its meeting on 16th August, be taken back to the Sub-Committee for further consideration.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Community and Recreation Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Community and Recreation Committee of 16th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted, subject to the omission of the minute of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee of 9th August under the heading “Review of Client Contractor Split – Development of a New Management Structure to Support the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section”, as adopted by the principal Committee at its meeting on 16th August, which, at the request of Councillor Hartley, is taken back to the Sub-Committee for further consideration.
Development Committee
Moved by Councillor McCausland, Seconded by Councillor Crozier,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 4th, 8th, 11th and 17th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Requests for Matters to be taken back for Further Consideration
Appointment of Members to Partnership Boards
At the request of Councillor Template:Bcc0506-Ní Chuilín, the Chairman (Councillor McCausland), with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute of 17th August under the heading “Appointment of Members to Partnership Boards” be taken back to the Committee for further consideration.
Titanic Signature Project
Councillor Mullaghan requested that the minute of the Tourism and Promotion of Belfast Sub-Committee of 10th August under the heading “Titanic Signature Project”, as adopted by the principal Committee at its meeting on 17th August, be taken back to the Sub-Committee for further consideration. However, the Chairman (Councillor McCausland) did not consider it would be appropriate to take the matter back. Accordingly, the Council determined to vote on whether it would grant the necessary consent to the matter being taken back to a special meeting of the Sub Committee, to which all Members of the Council would be invited.
On a vote by show of hands sixteen Members voted for the proposal and thirty one against.
The Council accordingly did not agree to the minute been taken back to the Sub Committee for further consideration.
Amendments
Representation on Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Boards
Moved by Councillor Crozier, Seconded by Councillor Stalford and
Resolved – That that portion of the minute of 17th August under the heading “Representation on Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Boards”, agreeing that the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Boards be requested to consult with locally Elected Representatives on proposed projects, be amended to provide that a letter be forwarded to the Belfast Regeneration Office stipulating that the Boards be required to undertake such consultation.
Titanic Quarter Working Group
Moved by Councillor Wilson, Seconded by Councillor Stalford and
Resolved – That the decision of 11th August under the heading “Titanic Quarter Working Group”, agreeing to re-establish the Titanic Quarter Working Group and to the Council’s representation thereon be amended to provide that the nominated Chairman or Deputy Chairman be authorised to appoint, when necessary, a nominee to undertake the role.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Development Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 4th, 8th, 11th and 17th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted, subject to
(a) the omission of the minute of 17th August under the heading “Appointment of Members to Partnership Boards” which, at the request of Councillor Ní Chuilín, is taken back to the Committee for further consideration;
(b) the amendment of that portion of the minute of 17th August under the heading “Representation on Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Boards”, agreeing that the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Boards be requested to consult with locally Elected Representatives on proposed projects, to provide that a letter be forwarded to the Belfast Regeneration Office stipulating that the Boards be required to undertake such consultation; and
(c) the amendment of the decision of 11th August under the heading “Titanic Quarter Working Group”, agreeing to re establish the Titanic Quarter Working Group and to the Council’s representation thereon to provide that the nominated Chairman or Deputy Chairman be authorised to appoint, when necessary, a nominee to undertake the role.
Health and Environmental Services Committee
Moved by Councillor Template:Bcc0506-O’Reilly, Seconded by Councillor Patterson,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 8th and 22nd August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Amendment
Cleansing Services – Street Cleansing Report on Cleanliness Index
Moved by Councillor Crozier, Seconded by Councillor Smyth and
Resolved – That that portion of the minute of 8th August under the heading “Cleansing Services – Street Cleansing Report on Cleanliness Index”, insofar as it relates to the North Cleanliness Indices, be taken back to the Committee for consideration at a special meeting, to which all Members of the Council will be invited.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Health and Environmental Services Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 8th and 22nd August be and they are hereby approved and adopted, subject to the omission of that portion of the minute of 8th August under the heading “Cleansing Services – Street Cleansing Report on Cleanliness Index” insofar as it relates to the North Cleanliness Indices which is taken back for further consideration at a special meeting of the Committee to which all Members of the Council will be invited.
Town Planning Committee
Moved by Councillor Patterson, Seconded by Councillor Smyth,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 4th and 18th August, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Stalford, Seconded by Councillor Campbell,
That the decision of the Town Planning Committee of 18th August under the heading “Planning Application – 45 Knightsbridge Park”, noting the receipt of correspondence from the Divisional Planning Manager indicating that he remained of the opinion that the application should be approved, be amended to provide that the planning application be referred to the Planning Management board for adjudication.
After discussion, a division on the matter was demanded. A poll having been taken on the amendment, there voted for it six Members, viz., Councillors Campbell, N. Dodds, Humphrey, McMillen, Newton and Stalford; and against it thirty-nine Members, viz., the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Austin, M. Browne, Cunningham, Cush, Ekin, Ervine, Hanna, Hartley, Hendron, Jones, Kelly, Kirkpatrick, Lavery, Long, Maginness, A. Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McCarthy, McClenaghan, McCoubrey, McKenzie, Mhic Giolla Mhín Moore, Mullaghan, Ní Chuilín, O’Neill, O’Reilly, Patterson, Rodgers, Rodway, Smyth, Stoker and Wilson. One Member (Councillor McCausland) did not vote. The amendment was accordingly declared lost.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Town Planning Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed.
Notices of Motion
Terrorist Attacks in London
The Council declared carried the undernoted Notice of Motion which, in accordance with Notice on the Agenda, had been proposed by Councillor Ekin, seconded by Councillor Maginness and, with the permission of the Council, had been amended, at the request of Councillor Wilson:
- “This Council, having witnessed the effect of terrorism in Belfast for thirty years, condemns the terrorist attacks on London on 7th and 21st July, 2005 and, in support of the Lord Mayor’s message, offers its sympathy to all the victims of those murderous and brutal attacks. It again draws attention to the outright failure of the terrorists to offer any kind of justification for their cause in an open, democratic and free society. Terrorism, whether overt as in the London bombings or covert as in the prevailing threat which overhangs our society, will ultimately fail. It has failed in the past and will continue to fail in the future. This Council calls on everyone in the city of Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland, where lasting change can only be brought about through tolerance and the peaceful, constructive argument of a point of view, to ensure that local disputes and differences are dealt with constructively, progressively and quickly and without the use or threat of violence of any kind.”
Rape of 15-year-old Girl and Murder of 15-year-old Boy
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, the Council considered the undernoted Notice of Motion which had been proposed by Councillor Patterson, seconded by Councillor Stalford and amended at the request of the proposer and of Councillor Jones:
- “This Council expresses its complete abhorrence at the despicable rape on Saturday, 6th August of a 15-year-old girl in West Belfast, at the murder of 15-year-old Thomas Devlin in North Belfast on 10th August and at the murder of 19-year-old Craig McCausland on 11th July.
- The Council condemns utterly those responsible and calls upon the Police Service of Northern Ireland to take all measures possible to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
- The Council recognises that all decent and law-abiding citizens of the City have been outraged at these atrocities and is highly critical of all politicians who fail to encourage persons with information in relation to any criminal act to assist the Police Service of Northern Ireland in its investigations.”
After a lengthy discussion, a division on the amended Notice of Motion was demanded. A poll having been taken on the Notice of Motion, there voted for it thirty four Members, viz., the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Campbell, Crozier, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Ekin, Empey, Hanna, Hendron, Humphrey, Jones, Kelly, Kirkpatrick, Long, Maginness, McCarthy, McCausland, McCoubrey, McGimpsey, McKenzie, McMillen, Mullaghan, Newton, O’Reilly, Patterson, Rodgers, Rodway, Stalford, Stoker and Wilson; and against it no Members. Nine Members, viz., Councillors Austin, M. Browne, Cunningham, Hartley, Lavery, P. Maskey, McCann, McClenaghan and Ní Chuilín did not vote.
The Motion was accordingly declared carried.
Disbandment of RIR
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Newton proposed and Councillor Stalford seconded a Notice of Motion in relation to the disbandment of the Royal Irish Regiment.
After discussion, the Council passed the undernoted Notice of Motion which had been amended at the request of Councillor Long:
“This Council
- Condemns the decision of the Prime Minister and Secretary of State to implement the provisions of the Joint Declaration negotiated in April 2003 by the British and Irish Governments in response to the recent IRA statement
- Praises the service and sacrifice of the Royal Irish Regiment (formerly the Ulster Defence Regiment) in defending the people of Northern Ireland in general, and the citizens of Belfast in particular, from the scourge of terrorism for over thirty years
- Condemns the announcement by Government of its intention to disband the three Home Battalions of the RIR as a politically inspired act
- Condemns the fact that members of the RIR were given no prior notice of the decision, unlike members of Sinn Féin/IRA
- Condemns the other measures announced in the Government’s response as premature and ill-judged
- Calls upon Government to ensure that any members of the RIR, both full-time and part-time, that are made redundant are given a generous financial package, including full pension rights, and that the needs of the widows of RIR/UDR soldiers be adequately met
- Resolves to write to the Prime Minister expressing the Council’s view that decisions in relation to security matters should be taken based upon security and threat-assessment and not be politically motivated”
Loyalist Paramilitary Violence
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, the Council considered the undernoted Notice of Motion which had been proposed by Councillor Mullaghan, seconded by Councillor Maginness and amended at the request of Councillor Humphrey:
- “This Council condemns the present violence of paramilitaries and in particular the campaign of violence and murder by the UVF, IRA and all paramilitaries in the City of Belfast and calls on all paramilitaries to stop their violent activities immediately.
- This Council also calls upon the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, to urgently review the status of the UVF ceasefire.
- This Council calls upon the Police Service of Northern Ireland to do everything in its power to protect the community from violence and criminality from whatever source and to bring the perpetuators to justice and calls on the community to assist the Police to this end.”
After discussion, the Motion, as amended, was put to the meeting and passed unanimously.
Educational Needs of Ethnic Children
The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne) informed the Council that he had been advised that the Notice of Motion in relation to the educational needs of ethnic children, which had been included on the Summons Paper at the request of Councillor Cunningham, had been withdrawn. The Council consented to the withdrawal of the Notice of Motion and agreed that it be placed on the Agenda for consideration at its next meeting.
Chairman
