Community and Recreation (Community and Leisure Services) Sub-Committee 30 October 2006
From Nigov
Community and Recreation Committee
Tuesday, 30th October, 2006
MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION (COMMUNITY AND LEISURE SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Newton (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson); and Councillors D. Browne, Campbell, Lavery, McCann, O'Neill and Stoker.
- In attendance:
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Hanna.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 3rd October were taken as read and signed as correct.
Matters Relating to the Irish Traveller Community
(Mr. F. O’Hagan (?), Travellers’ Liaison Officer, attended in connection with this item.)
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report in relation to Travellers’ issues which were relevant to the Council.
Monagh Group Housing Scheme
The Travellers’ Liaison Officer reported that planning permission in respect of the above-mentioned Scheme was due to expire on 15th January, 2007. He pointed out that the Housing Executive had expressed concern whether the Scheme would commence by the aforementioned date and that there appeared to be a possibility that its delivery was in doubt.
Noted.
Provision of Additional Permanent Site
The Committee was informed that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had indicated that an additional serviced site would be required in the Belfast area to meet the current demands of Travellers. The Travellers’ Liaison Officer pointed out that no formal consultation had been undertaken with the Council in this matter and that the requirement for an additional site had been at variance with the findings of the Executive’s Traveller Accommodation Needs Survey and its Five‑Year Traveller Accommodation Programme.
Noted.
Review of Public Administration – Site Transfer Arrangements
The Travellers’ Liaison Officer reminded the Members that the Minister with Responsibility for the Department for Social Development, Mr. David Hanson, M.P., had visited the City Hall in September to discuss matters regarding the transfer of responsibilities for Travellers’ Sites from the Housing Executive to the Council in accordance with the recommendations of the Review of Public Administration. He reported that the Executive had now established a Traveller Consultation Forum and he would keep the Sub-Committee informed of any arrangements which were put in place regarding the transfer of sites.
Noted.
Opening Hours at Leisure Centres
The Committee noted the progress which had been achieved regarding the implementation of the early morning opening arrangements at a number of Leisure Centres. It was reported that discussions with the relevant Trades Unions had been positive and that further discussions were scheduled to take place.
Means-Tested Benefits – Discounts for Residents from Outside the Belfast City Council Area
The Sub-Committee noted a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in respect of research which officers were undertaking regarding the introduction of reduced rates for residents on means-tested benefits from other Council areas who wished to use the City Council’s leisure facilities.
Leisure Centres – Staffing Management Changes
The Sub-Committee noted a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in respect of a number of staffing changes which had been introduced in relation to the management of the Leisure Centres across the City.
Grove Well-Being Centre – Lease of Land by Northern Ireland Electricity
The Head of Community and Leisure Services reported that Northern Ireland Electricity was seeking to lease a small portion of land within the site of the Grove Well‑Being Centre to use for the installation of a new electricity sub-station. He reported that the area of land requested was approximately twenty square metres and that the lease would run for nine-hundred and ninety-nine years, for which a small ground rent would be paid to the Council.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to grant the lease to Northern Ireland Electricity, on the terms outlined by the Head of Community and Leisure Services, subject to the drawing up of an agreement by the Director of Legal Services and that the matter regarding the disposal of the land being reported to the Development Committee in accordance with Standing Order 62.
Leisure Centres Building Upgrade Programme
The Leisure Services Manager provided a presentation (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) which illustrated the work being undertaken to upgrade a number of leisure centres across the City.
Noted.
Loughside Recreational Facility
The Sub-Committee noted a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) regarding the replacement facility at Loughside Recreation Centre.
North Belfast Leisure Centre – Site Selection
The Sub-Committee agreed to include the undernoted sites on the final list of possible locations for a new North Belfast Leisure Centre:
- Area adjacent to Cliftonville Football Ground;
- Area within the Upper Waterworks Park;
- Area at the former Girdwood Barracks;
- Area within the Lower Waterworks Park; and
- St. Kevin’s Hall, North Queen Street
Miscellaneous Reports for Notation
The Sub-Committee noted that reports regarding the six-monthly review of Ballymacarrett Recreation Centre; the future siting of a mini soccer pitch and the replacement of the synthetic pitch at Ballysillan Leisure Centre would be submitted for consideration in due course.when?
Former Maysfield Leisure Centre – Hire of Premises
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) regarding the leasing of the former Maysfield Leisure Centre for use as a film studio.
Chairman
