Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls Board 14 December 2005
From Nigov
C488
Community and Recreation Committee
Wednesday, 14th December, 2005
Contents |
MEETING OF BELFAST WATERFRONT AND ULSTER HALLS BOARD
Members present: The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); and Councillors Austin, Ekin, Empey, Kirkpatrick, Lavery, McGimpsey, O’Reilly and Rodway.
In attendance: Mr. M. Elder, Director of Community and Recreation; Mr. T. Husbands, Managing Director; Mr. P. Falls, Manager, Ulster Hall; Mr. S. Glynn, Finance and Administration Manager; and Mr. J. Heaney, Committee Administrator.
Chairing of Meeting
In the absence of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, it was agreed that Councillor Lavery take the Chair.
(Councillor Lavery in the Chair.)
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were received from the Chairman (Councillor Stalford) and Councillor Mhic Giolla Mhín.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 23rd November, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Social-Economic Impact Study
The Board was reminded that, at its meeting on 29th June, it had approved the commissioning of an economic impact assessment of the Waterfront Hall. The Managing Director pointed out that the aim of the assessment had been to identify, in a robust and reliable manner, the social and economic benefits which had accrued to the City and local economy as a result of the development of the Hall. He informed the Board that BDO Stoy Hayward, in accordance with Council procedures, had been commissioned to carry out the assessment and, following extensive public consultation and detailed research, had produced a comprehensive report outlining the role of the Waterfront Hall in the socio-economic life of the City.
It was reported that Messrs. McCleave and Davidson, representing BDO Stoy Hayward, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Acting Chairman (Councillor Lavery.)
Mr. McCleave and Mr. Davidson outlined the main points contained within the report including the scope of the study, the operating and visitor impacts, the induced economic impact, the unqualified economic benefits and the social benefits to the City. They indicated that the key points of the study had revealed that the Belfast Waterfront Hall had generated a total economic impact on the City of £432m, that the Hall was seen by the majority of the citizens of Belfast as an iconic building which produced a positive and progressive image of the City and had been a cornerstone of the regeneration at the Waterfront site.
They pointed out that the Hall was a source of civic pride and confidence. It had contributed to the life of the City, not only in the provision of conference facilities and the holding of major concerts, but it had also presented opportunities for community and educational organisations to make use of the facilities available at reduced rates. In conclusion, the Consultants had made a number of recommendations to enhance further the value of the facilities at the Hall which included the provision of a dedicated exhibition space, the requirement for improved catering facilities for gala functions, the provision of better signage and increased public awareness of the Hall. Consideration should also be given to an increase in partnership activities, particularly with the hospitality industry and with the public sector, in the hope that the Hall would be seen as the ‘venue of first choice’ for the holding of public events within the City.
(The Deputy Chairman, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Convery in the Chair.)
Mr. McCleave and Mr. Davidson answered several questions in respect of the study and undertook to provide a detailed copy of the report to each Member of the Board. They then thanked the Board for receiving them and retired from the meeting.
Several Members indicated that, whilst it was encouraging to note the social economic benefit which had accrued to the City, they did, however, suggest that every effort should be made to reduce operating costs. It was pointed out that the report contained a positive message and the view was expressed that it might prove beneficial if such a message was conveyed to the public.
Accordingly, the Board agreed that the Director of Community and Recreation, in conjunction with the Managing Director, make the necessary arrangements to have the positive message which had been portrayed in the report, conveyed to the general public, at a time deemed appropriate by the aforementioned officers.
Provision of First-Aid Services
The Managing Director reported that, following discussions with the Council’s Building Control Section and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, it had been considered that it would be beneficial if the Waterfront and Ulster Halls were to supplement the current in-house provision of first-aid through the appointment of a suitably qualified and experienced first-aid service supplier. The contractor would be required to provide services to events where audience numbers were expected to exceed 500 and the Managing Director suggested that this would lead to a greater consistency of provision, as well as better qualified, more professional and dedicated services for larger events held in the Halls.
After discussion, during which it was reported that the anticipated annual cost of £40,000 for a contracted first-aid provider had been included within the 2006/2007 revenue estimate, with the cost being offset by the inclusion of an appropriate charge to promoters who would be using the venue, the Board agreed to the commencement of a procurement exercise in respect of the supply of first-aid services at the Waterfront and Ulster Halls.
THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE UNDERNOTED ITEM IN PURSUANCE OF THE POWERS DELEGATED TO IT BY THE COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON 5th JULY, 1995
Progress Report
The Managing Director submitted for the attention of the Board a Progress Report, copies of which had previously been circulated, in relation to the operation of the Waterfront and Ulster Halls. The report provided information in relation to the management of the venues and the staging and outcome of events thereat under the undernoted headings:
- Operations
- Energy Awards
- River Lagan Pre Cooling Capital Project
- Recruitment
- Exhibition Hall
- Stage Lifts, Overhead Suspension and Associated Systems, Investigation
- Ulster Hall
It was reported that the Waterfront Hall had been awarded first place and had received a silver trophy and framed certificate in the combined heat and power category at the Gas Energy Management (GEMS) awards which had been organised by Phoenix Gas, in association with Investment Northern Ireland.
In respect of the Exhibition Hall Feasibility Study, the Members were informed that the BDO Stoy Hayward had been awarded the contract to carry out the feasibility study and that they were expected to present their findings to the Board at its meeting to be held in January.
The Board was advised that Mr. G. Millar, Director of Improvement, had been appointed to carry out the investigation, which had been requested by the Board, in respect of how the situation which had developed whereby the elevators and suspension equipment installed at the Waterfront Hall had never operated effectively and why it had taken eight and a half years to confirm this information. The Members were advised further that the findings of the investigation would be presented to the Board in due course.
The Board noted the information which had been provided.
Chairman
