Community and Recreation (Parks and Cemeteries Services) Sub-Committee 9 May 2006
From Nigov
Community and Recreation Committee Tuesday, 9th May, 2006
MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION (PARKS AND CEMETERIES SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillors Rodgers (Chairman); the High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey); and Councillors Attwood, Austin, Cush, Hartley, Kirkpatrick, Long, McCausland, McClenaghan, McGimpsey and Stalford.
Also attended
Councillor Stoker.
In attendance
- Mr. M. Elder (Head of Community and Recreation)
- Mr. S. Walker (Policy Development Manager)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 11th April were taken as read and signed as correct.
Fishing at the Waterworks
The Sub-Committee considered further the minute of the meeting of 11th April under the heading "Fishing at the Waterworks" which, at the request of Councillor D. Browne, was referred back to the Sub-Committee for further consideration by the Council at its meeting on 2nd May.
The Director of Community and Recreation reported that officers would be consulting with representatives of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to investigate if measures could be undertaken to control the cormorants frequenting the Waterworks site and that a report in this regard would be submitted for the Sub-Committee's consideration at its meeting scheduled to be held on 14th June.
The Sub-Committee affirmed its decision of 11th April and noted that a further report in the matter would be submitted to its next meeting.
Disposal of Land at McClure Street Open Space
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the disposal of Council-owned land at McClure Street Open Space. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to accept the highest offer received, that submitted by Hagan Homes, 181 Templepatrick Road, Ballyclare, BT39 0RA, in the sum of £3,401,000, subject to the completion of form of contract.
Cliftonville Playing Fields
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report in relation to the sale of a portion of the Cliftonville Playing Fields to enable further information to be obtained.
Facilities Management Agreements
Alexandra Park and Cherryvale Playing Fields
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of reports on the development proposals and Facilities Management Agreements at the above-mentioned grounds and agreed further that a moratorium be placed on all Facility Management Agreements until a policy thereon could be established and that a report in this regard be submitted for consideration at its meeting scheduled to be held on 10th October.
Shankill Women's Centre - Request for Lease of Council-owned Land
The Director of Community and Recreation informed the Sub-Committee that the Shankill Women's Centre was developing currently proposals in relation to a social economy day-care project, which would be located in a building at Craven Street, off the Shankill Road. He reported that the Group had requested the use of Council-owned land located at the adjacent St. Michael's Park for the provision of a children's play area, fire escape facilities and the construction of a perimeter fence around the Council's property.
He reported that St. Michael's Park was held currently by the Council on a 900 year lease from the Department of the Environment, which had restricted the use of the land as open space. Accordingly, he recommended that the Sub-Committee agree in principle to lease an appropriate area of land at St. Michael's Park to the Shankill Women's Centre, subject to a further report being submitted to the Sub-Committee providing information in relation to the proposed scheme and outlining the main terms of the leasing agreement.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Channel 4 Art Project at the Waterworks
The Director of Community and Recreation informed the Sub-Committee that, during October, 2005, Channel 4 had launched a nationwide campaign requesting the public to nominate sites within their communities as potential locations for public art projects. The intention of the process would be to film the creation and installation of art pieces for a prime time television series. He reported that thirty nominations had been received from Northern Ireland and, subsequent to feasibility studies having been carried out by contemporary art specialists, the Waterworks had been selected as one of six sites throughout the United Kingdom for a "Big Art Project".
The Director reported that a curator would be appointed by the Big Art Trust to manage the project, which would commence at the beginning of May. It was expected that the project would involve one hundred children and adults participating in a schools-based educational project and outreach programme. This would result in a brief for the site being developed and a shortlist of artists being established. The community, with the assistance of the curator, would then select the idea for the piece of art, with the winning submission being unveiled during September, 2007.
Accordingly, the Director recommended that, since the project would assist in achieving the objectives of the Council's Open Space Strategy and was linked into the theme of "Our Heritage", which aimed to improve and promote the cultural heritage of the Council's open spaces, the Sub-Committee authorise Channel 4 to locate the selected piece of public art at the Waterworks site, with the provision that the final plans for the installation of the artwork be submitted to the Sub-Committee for approval in order to ensure that the artwork was appropriate for the location.
After discussion, during which the Members expressed the view that it was imperative that the project involved all sections of the community and that public liability insurance be obtained by the organisation, the Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
World Daffodil Convention 2008
The Director informed the Sub-Committee that the World Daffodil Tour would be held in England, Northern Ireland and France during 2008. The Tour would be visiting the City of Belfast Spring Fair during the period from 19th till 20th April, 2008 and the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group had requested that the Council consider hosting one of two formal dinners which had been planned for convention delegates and members of the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group.
The Director pointed out that, as the City of Belfast's Spring Fair would be held on 19th April, this would seem an obvious date for the Council to host a dinner. It was estimated that approximately 150 people including delegates from the United States, Australia and New Zealand would be participating on the tour. Accordingly, he recommended that the Sub-Committee agree to provide hospitality in the form of a dinner for approximately 150 people, the cost of which would not exceed £5,200.
The Sub-Committee adopted the Director's recommendation and agreed that the dinner be held in the City Hall.
Blythefield Open Space - Surrender of Lease
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the surrender of a lease by the Belfast Education and Library Board in connection with the development of the Blythefield Open Space. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation contained within the report.
Lagan Valley Regional Park
The Sub-Committee agreed to receive, at its meeting scheduled to be held on 13th June, a presentation in connection with the future of the Lagan Valley Regional Park.
Cavehill Country Park - Adventurous Playground
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the foregoing report.
Re-launch of the Apprenticeship Scheme
The Sub-Committee agreed to note the contents of a report in relation to the progress achieved in respect of the Re-launch of the Apprenticeship Scheme within the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section.
Wayleave at Glencairn Park
The Sub-Committee was reminded that the former Client Services Committee, at its meeting on 18th May, 2004, had approved expenditure for the provision of measures to prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour at a number of Council-owned sites, including Glenbank Park. The measures in connection with Glenbank Park had included the installation of a closed circuit television camera at the lower entrance to the site. The Director pointed out that, as part of this installation, British Telecommunications plc was required to install a cable which would allow monitoring of the closed circuit television pictures. In order to proceed with the installation, British Telecom would require a wayleave agreement. Accordingly, he recommended that the Sub-Committee approve the granting of a wayleave to British Telecom for the installation of a cable to service the Council's closed circuit television camera installation at Glenbank Park, subject to a legal agreement to be prepared by the Director of Legal Services and notification thereon, in accordance with Standing Order 62, to the Development Committee.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Tenders for the Provision of a Multi-use Games Area at Willowbank Park
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Zoo Shop
The Chairman (Councillor Rodgers) referred to the fact that the extension and refurbishment of the shop located at the Belfast Zoo had been removed from the Council's Capital Programme 2006/2007 and requested that the Sub-Committee consider at a future meeting the possibility of the works being included within the 2007/2008 Capital Programme.
The Sub-Committee agreed to this course of action.
United States Memorial
The Director of Community and Recreation informed the Members that an event commemorating the death of ten American Airmen on the Cavehill during the Second World War would be held on 1st June and that all Members of the Sub-Committee would be invited to attend.
Noted.
Chairman
