Community and Recreation (Parks and Cemeteries Services) Sub-Committee 13 March 2007
From Nigov
Community and Recreation Committee Tuesday, 13th March, 2007
MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION (PARKS AND CEMETERIES SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Rodgers (Chairman); the High Sheriff (Councillor Kirkpatrick); and Councillors Austin, Hartley, McClenaghan, O'Reilly and Stalford.
Also attended
Councillor Humphrey.
In attendance
- Ms. F. Holdsworth (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Manager)
- Mr. S. Walker (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Development Manager)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of 22nd January and 5th and 6th February were taken as read and signed as correct.
Woodvale Park
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
It was reported that Ms. J. Cornell, Ms. N. Simpson, Ms. K. Feeney together with Mr. D. Sheridan, representing the Friends of Woodvale Park, were in attendance in order to make a presentation in relation to the organisation's proposals. Accordingly, they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.
Ms. Cornell reported that the Friends of Woodvale Park wished to construct a multi-purpose facility on the site of the all-weather pitch at the park. This proposal had evolved in response to the stated concerns of local residents, young people and other park users as a result of a survey which had been carried out during 2002. The survey highlighted concerns in relation to instances of anti-social behaviour and the lack of security at the site. She stated that the multi-purpose facility was intended to provide a safe and comfortable meeting place for the entire community, attract young people and discourage the misuse of the park.
Mr. Sheridan pointed out that it was envisaged that the proposed facility would act as a catalyst for social, physical and economic regeneration within the area and provide a much needed resource for the Woodvale and Greater Shankill communities.
The deputation then retired from the meeting.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed, in principle, to support the proposals which had been submitted by the Friends of Woodvale Park, subject to a report, to be prepared by the Director of Legal Services and the Estates Manager in relation to the transfer of the site, being submitted for its consideration at its next monthly meeting.
City of Belfast Playing Fields and Golf Course - Installation of Mains Water Pipe
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 6th April, 2005, it had granted the Water Service permission to install a mains water pipe across three football pitches at the City of Belfast Playing Fields and at two fairways at the Mallusk Golf Club.
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Manager pointed out that regular meetings had taken place between the Water Service and Council officers during the period of construction. In line with the agreement between the Service and the Council, the mains pipeline had been installed during August, 2006, with the replacement drainage system being installed during September. She reported that the seeding of the pitches and golf course had been due to be completed during September. However, due to inclement weather conditions during the summer, this had not been possible. It had been agreed, therefore, to defer this element of the contract until Spring, 2007. She pointed out that the Water Service's contractor was due to commence this work during April with the works being completed by September, 2007. The Council would be seeking compensation in relation to the loss of income from bookings of the football pitches and the golf course from the Water Service.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.
Mary Peters Track
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations contained within the report.
Parks and Recreation Congress
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Development Manager advised the Sub-Committee that the 21st World Congress of the International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration would be held in Dublin during the period from 3rd till 6th September. The event would attract approximately 400 international delegates and, as part of the programme, a day visit to the Council's parks had been scheduled to take place on 6th September. He pointed out that this was a prestigious
world-wide conference which provided an excellent opportunity for Belfast to further enhance its global profile. Accordingly, he recommended that the Sub-Committee agree to provide appropriate hospitality for the group at Malone House, the cost of which would be approximately £3,500.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Belfast Hills Partnership
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Springfield Avenue/Cavendish Court
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Development Manager reported that a request had been received from the Belfast Regeneration Office for the Council to develop a play area at the Springfield Avenue/Cavendish Court site. He pointed out that the cost of the project would be approximately £394,360 and would be funded in full by the Belfast Regeneration Office. It was intended that the project would be managed through the Colin Community Groups Association, with the Council being responsible for the management and maintenance of the area.
He reminded the Sub-Committee that the former Parks and Amenities Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 12th March, 2002, had agreed to provide an undertaking to adopt and maintain the play facility. However, the Colin Community Group had not been in a position to manage the project within the timescale required by the Belfast Regeneration Office and was now requesting the Council to undertake the management of the project. He advised the Members that, if the Council did not accede to the request, there was a risk that the project would not be undertaken. Accordingly, he recommended, due to the fact that the Council would benefit from the transfer of the land and that the local community would benefit also from the provision of new facilities at no cost to the Council, that the Sub-Committee:
(i) authorise officers to work with the Belfast Regeneration Office to undertake the work in relation to the provision of the play area, subject to no additional costs being incurred by the Council;
(ii) authorise officers to facilitate the transfer of the land, subject to no additional costs being incurred by the Council;
(iii) endorse the decision of the former Parks and Amenities Sub-Committee of 12th March, 2002, to maintain and manage the facility; and
(iv) authorise officers to make allowances for the management and maintenance of the facility within the Section's Revenue Estimates for 2008/2009.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations.
City of Belfast Golf Course and Mary Peters Track - Revised Prices
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Development Manager reported that both the City of Belfast Golf Course and the Mary Peters Track were managed for the Council under Facility Management Agreements. A condition of those agreements was that the respective clubs were required to have their proposed price increases ratified by the Council. In this regard, requests had been received from Athletics Northern Ireland and the City of Belfast Golf Club to be permitted to increase their prices by approximately 2.5% - 4.5%, with effect from 1st April, 2007, in line with Council policy.
The Sub-Committee agreed to accede to the requests which had been received from Athletics Northern Ireland Limited and the City of Belfast Golf Club in relation to these proposed price increases.
Acquisition of Land for Cemetery Provision
(Ms. E. Boyle, Legal Policy Officer, attended in connection with this item.)
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the progress which had been achieved in respect of the acquisition of land for the provision of the Council's future burial service.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed to undertake site visits to the four short-listed sites which had been identified for possible cemetery provision.
Tender for the Verti-Draining of Sports Pitches and the Supply, Delivery and Application of Top-Dressing Sand
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Development Manager reported that, in response to public advertisement, three tenders had been received for:
- the Verti-draining of various sports pitches during the period from 30th April till 1st June, 2007;
- the supply, delivery and application of top dressing sand for various sports pitches during the period from 27th April till 31st May, 2007; and
- the additional supply and delivery of top dressing sand as required during the period from 2nd April, 2007 till 1st April, 2008.
He stated that each tender had been evaluated in accordance with the pre-agreed criteria. A panel comprising representatives of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section and the Procurement Unit had recommended that the most economically advantageous tender received, that submitted by Horta Soils Limited, 4 Carn Court Road, Portadown, in the sum of £245 per pitch for verti-draining of sports pitches, £8.80 per tonne for the supply, delivery and application of top dressing sand and £6.80 per tonne for the supply and delivery of top dressing sand as required, be accepted.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation, subject to the completion of form of contract.
Giant's Park
The Sub-Committee agreed that those officers from the Development Department managing currently the consultation exercise in respect of the development of the Giant's Park at the North Foreshore Site be requested to attend a future meeting of the Sub-Committee in order to provide a presentation in relation to the project.
Chairman
