Community and Recreation Committee 16 January 2007
From Nigov
Community and Recreation Committee Tuesday, 16th January, 2007
MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Stoker (Chairman); and Councillors Adamson, Attwood, M. Browne, W. Browne, Campbell, Convery, Ekin, Humphrey, McCann, McClenaghan, Mullaghan, Ní Chuilín, O'Neill, Rodgers and Stalford.
Also attended
The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson); and Councillors Austin, Hartley, Lavery and Newton.
In attendance
- Mr. M. Elder (Director of Community Recreation)
- Mr. T. Husbands (General Manager, The Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls)
- Mr. P. Lucas (Head of Community Leisure Services)
- Mr. S. Walker (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Development Manager)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Hendron.
Minutes
In considering the minutes of the meeting of 5th and 13th December, the Committee Administrator drew the Members' attention to the minute of 5th December under the heading "Support for Sport - Events and Hospitality". She pointed out that, whilst it had been agreed by the Committee to adopt a schedule of support for sport applications in relation to the provision of events and hospitality which had been approved by the Working Group, this had been omitted in error from the minute.
The Committee agreed that the minute be varied accordingly and, subject thereto, agreed that the minutes of the meetings of 5th and 13th December be taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd January.
Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls Board
Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls Board of 13th December be approved and adopted.
Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee
The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meeting of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee of 9th January.
Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee
The minutes of the meeting of the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee of 9th January were approved and adopted.
Zoning of Site at Drumbeg "A" in the BMAP for Cemetery Provision
(Mr. C. Quigley, Director of Legal Services, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed not to accede to a request which had been received from Frazer Homes to address the Committee in relation to the matter.
Provision of Additional Burial Land in Event of a Flu Pandemic
The Committee was reminded that the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 11th April, had agreed that a detailed report be submitted for its consideration in relation to the provision of additional grave spaces at Roselawn Cemetery in the event of a flu pandemic.
The Director of Community and Recreation stated that, since that time, discussions had concluded that an additional 4,000 graves would be required to provide adequate burial space in the event of a flu pandemic. He pointed out that there were less than 2,500 new graves remaining at the Roselawn Cemetery, which was the only source of new graves within the City. These spaces would be adequate given the existing normal mortality rates until 2014. However, in the event of a flu pandemic it had been estimated that up to 2,500 new graves would be required within a twelve month period and this would have major implications for the Council in terms of burial provision.
He advised the Committee that it was crucial for the Council to have adequate provision for such an eventuality and, to this end, it had been estimated that a new section of 4,000 graves could be designed and constructed at the Roselawn Cemetery within a period of twelve to eighteen months. There was sufficient land in Council ownership at Roselawn to provide the required number of additional graves. He pointed out that provision had been included within the existing Capital Programme, in the sum of £1.7 million, for the acquisition of land and the development of the site at Roselawn. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee:
- approve the commissioning of a Civil Engineering Consultant to progress the matter further;
- authorise officers to seek the necessary statutory approvals in relation to the development;
- grant delegated authority to the Director of Community and Recreation, in consultation with the Chairman of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee, to accept the tenders within 5% of the estimated costs; and
- agree that the Parks and Cemeteries Landscape Planning and Development Unit manage the project.
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Connswater Community Greenway
The Committee considered a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in relation to the preparation of a Stage 2 Application under the Big Lottery Living Landmark Programme by the East Belfast Partnership Board in respect of the Connswater Community Greenway project.
After discussion, the Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed that representatives of the East Belfast Partnership Board be invited to attend a future meeting of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee in order to provide a presentation in relation to the project and that the Members of the Development Committee and Community and Recreation Committee be authorised to attend in relation to the matter.
Loughside Recreation Centre: Facility Provision and Cost
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor Ekin, Seconded by Councillor Attwood,
That the Committee agrees to affirm its decision of 14th November, that is, to adopt Option C contained within the report as the preferred option for the Loughside Recreation Centre.
On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the proposal and none against and it was accordingly declared carried.
Advice Services Grant: Citizens Advice
The Committee was reminded that the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 7th February, had agreed the level of Advice Services funding for the financial year 2006/2007. However, a condition had been attached to the grant which had been awarded to the Citizens Advice Bureau which required the organisation to relocate by September, 2006 to premises which could be easily accessed by disabled persons.
The Head of Community and Leisure Services reported that the organisation had been proactive in attempting to secure City centre premises. However, it had been difficult to identify a location which would be affordable in terms of rent and upgrading requirements. The organisation had kept in regular contact with Council officers and had assured them that efforts to find a suitable location were continuing. Accordingly, he recommended that the deadline for the Citizens Advice Bureau's relocation to new premises be extended until 31st March, 2007.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Community Services Staffing Structure
The Committee was reminded that the Community and Leisure Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 2nd August, 2005, had approved a revised staffing structure for the Community Services Unit.
The Head of Community and Leisure Services reported that, at the time the new staffing structure had been agreed, the broadbanding of posts had been seen as a positive way forward for the Council. The opportunity had, therefore, been taken to link the former Community Development Assistant and Playworker posts, thereby creating similar posts entitled Assistant Community Development Worker (Development) and Assistant Community Development Worker (Play). He pointed out that, over time, staff in both categories had been trained to cover play and development work, therefore providing additional flexibility. He stated, given the Council's move away from broadbanding as a result of single status, that this arrangement was deemed no longer appropriate. As a result, it had been recommended that the following changes be made to the existing staff structure:
- that the post of Assistant Community Development Worker (Development) be renamed Assistant Community Development Worker;
- that the post of Assistant Community Development Worker (Play) be renamed Community Playworker; and
- that the Community Playworkers report to the Play Development Officer on issues other than facilities.
He reported that discussions had been held with the relevant Trades Unions, which were in favour of the proposed changes and he recommended accordingly.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
2012 Sports Facilities
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Committee adopted recommendations 1. and 2. contained within the report, agreed that the Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park be the preferred site for the Velodrome facility and that an expression of interest be not submitted in respect of tennis facilities.
Visit to Indoor Athletics Facilities
The Director sought and had authority granted for the Chairmen and the Deputy Chairmen of the Community and Recreation Committee and Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee (or their nominees), together with himself and one Member from each of the remaining Party Groupings on the Council to undertake visits to Brunnel and Loughborough Universities in order to view the indoor athletics facilities thereat. The costs per person attending would be approximately £250. In addition, the Committee authorised the payment of the appropriated travel, subsistence and attendance allowance in connection therewith.
North Belfast Leisure Centre
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor Stalford, Seconded by Councillor Campbell,
That the Committee agrees that the Girdwood site be the preferred location for the new North Belfast Leisure Centre and that a special meeting be held to discuss the matter further with the Working Group which had been established to progress the development of the former Crumlin Road Gaol site.
On a vote by show of hands ten Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was accordingly declared carried.
(Councillor W. Browne in the Chair.)
Staffing Matters
(The Council officers in attendance, with the exception of the Director of Community and Recreation and the Committee Administrator, left the meeting whilst these items were under discussion.)
Appointment of Interim Director of Parks and Leisure Services
The Committee noted a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in relation to the appointment of Mr. Andrew Hassard, currently employed as the Head of Environmental Health within the Health and Environmental Services Department, to the post of Interim Director of Parks and Leisure Services.
Position of Head of Community and Leisure Services
The Director of Community and Recreation reminded the Committee that the Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 20th October, had approved a revision of organisational structures within the Council, with a view to achieving over £1 million savings for the period from 2006/2007 till 2009/2010.
He pointed out that, in order to facilitate the restructuring, the Policy and Resources Committee had agreed to the early retirement of the Director of Community and Recreation and the redundancy of the Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services. The remaining senior officer affected by the restructure was Mr. P. Lucas, the Head of Community and Leisure Services. As the new structure had not provided for a Head of Community and Leisure Services, Mr. Lucas had written to the Council seeking release on the basis of voluntary redundancy. The Director explained that there was a clear business, legal and efficiency justification for the abolishment of the post of Head of Community and Leisure Services and the release of Mr. Lucas on the basis of voluntary redundancy. Accordingly, he recommended that Mr. Lucas be released on the basis of voluntary redundancy.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
(The Chairman, Councillor Stoker, in the Chair.)
Revenue Estimates 2007/2008
(Mr. T. Salmon, Director of Corporate Services, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee considered a report which had been prepared by the Director of Corporate Services in respect of the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the year 2007/2008. A copy of that section of the report, in so far as it applied specifically to the Community and Recreation Committee, is set out hereunder.
| |£ | £ | |Estimate 2006/07 | |45,634,400 | | | | | |Efficiency Savings | | | |Restructuring |294,940 | | |Insurances |77,740 | | |Desktop Equipment |11,500 | | |Communication Review |42,260 |(426,440) | | | | | |Estimates after incorporating Efficiency Savings | |45,207,960 | | | | | |Increased Costs | | | |Superannuation |406,580 | | |Single Status |394,830 | | |Playgrounds |400,000 |1,201,410 | | | | | |Reduced Costs | | | |Closure of Waterfront Hall |181,000 | | |Capital Charges |6,608,340 |(6,789,340) | | | | | | | | | |Increased Income | | | |Leisure Centre Income |209,000 | | |Grant Income |83,000 | | |Zoo Income |36,000 |(328,000) | | | | | |Decreased Income | | | |Closure of Waterfront Hall | |303,000 | | | | | |Growth | | | |Anti-Social Behaviour |300,000 | | |Bonfire Pilot Programme |50,000 | | |National Stadium |40,000 |390,000 | | | | | |Normal Increase | |690,730 | | | | | |Estimate 2007/08 | |40,675,760 |
After discussion, the Committee approved the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the year 2007/2008 as submitted in respect of the Community and Recreation Committee.
Media Report October - December, 2006
(Ms. A. Donegan, Media Relations Officer, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee noted the contents of a report which outlined the amount of media coverage and the extent of press and media enquiries received concerning the work of the Committee during the period from October till December, 2006.
Support for Sport
Delegated Authority - Development Fund Applications
The Committee noted a Schedule of Support for Sport applications in relation to Development grants, which had been approved by the Director of Community and Recreation in accordance with the authority delegated to him by the Committee at its meeting on 15th November, 2005. A copy of the Schedule was available for inspection on the Members' Portal.
Large Development Grants
The Committee proceeded to consider the following requests for assistance which had been received in relation to Large Development Grants:
|Organisation |Recommended | |Linfield Football Club |Provision of support up to a maximum of £5,000 in | | |relation to a new soccer academy which would train | | |senior players and coaches | |Cathal Brugha Swimming Club |Provision of support up to a maximum of £5,000 in | | |relation to a summer academy aimed at school and | | |youth clubs | |Queen's University Football Club |Do not support | |Woodvale Cricket Club |Do not support | |Crusaders Football Club |Do not support | |Patrick Sarsfields Gaelic Athletic Club |Do not support | |City of Belfast Archers |Do not support |
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Belfast Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium
The Committee considered a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in the relation to the progress achieved in respect of the development of a Multi-Sports Stadium for Belfast.
After discussion, the Committee noted that a public meeting would be held at the Belfast Waterfront Hall on Thursday, 25th January in order to discuss the future location of the Stadium.
World Police and Firefighter Games 2013
The Director of Community and Recreation informed the Committee that the World Police and Firefighter Games, which were open to all emergency services employees world-wide, were held every 2 years and attracted approximately 15,000 participants over a three week period. He pointed out that Belfast had expressed an interest in hosting the games during 2013 and a deputation from the World Organising Body had visited the City in order to receive a presentation in respect of its bid. Accordingly, the City had been shortlisted along with Innsbruck, Austria to host the games.
The Director of Community and Recreation emphasised that the economic return for the City would be in the region of £30 million and that the 2007 event would be held in Adelaide, Australia during March, 2007. Belfast and Innsbruck had been invited to attend the event in order to make a final presentation. He reported that the delegation would consist of representatives from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Fire and Rescue Services Northern Ireland, the Prison Service Northern Ireland, the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Events Company and possibly the Council. He pointed out that Vancouver had been successful previously in its bid to host the games and representatives of that delegation had advised that having their Lord Mayor attend as part of the bidding delegation had been instrumental in that City's success. It was anticipated that the delegation would be in Adelaide during the period from 10th till 16th March in order to prepare for the presentation which would be made on 15th March.
The Director stated that a detailed Business Plan for the actual games had yet to be completed, however, it was anticipated that a budget for the staging of the games would involve funding from a number of relevant stakeholders. The costs associated with the biding for the games would include approximately £10,000 till £12,000 in relation to travel and accommodation and approximately £5,000 would be required in order to prepare the bid.
After discussion, the Committee agreed, due to the economic return that would be derived by the City from hosting such a prestigious event, that it be represented at the presentation of bids by the Lord Mayor, the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the Director of Community and Recreation (or their nominees) and authorised the payment of the appropriate travelling, subsistence and attendance allowances in connection therewith.
Tall Ships 2009
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that an event be organised in the City Hall during April, 2007 in order to raise awareness of the event.
Outdoor Skate Park Facility
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations and agreed, in the event that external funding be not secured, that a further report in relation to the matter be submitted for its consideration.
All-Ireland Corporate Games
The Director of Community and Recreation pointed out that the All-Ireland Corporate Games had been secured for the City during the period from 2004 till 2007. During 2006, over 2,000 competitors had travelled from throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland to compete in the games at a number of venues. He pointed out that the 2007 event would be the final year in Belfast and that the games would be focused throughout the City Centre.
He reported that the Community and Recreation Department had supported the participation of Council staff in the games over the previous two years, with over 100 Council staff having taken part in the 2006 games. He recommended that, in order to demonstrate the Council's continued support for the games, the Committee consider supporting Council staff who wish to participate at the 2007 event. The total cost of Council staff participation had been approximately £2,500 to £3,000, with each Department covering their own costs. In addition, branded clothing had totalled £3,000.
The Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed to support Council staff participation at the event up to a maximum of £6,000.
Chairman
