Community and Recreation Committee 20 June 2006
From Nigov
Community and Recreation Committee Tuesday, 20th June, 2006
MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Stoker (Chairman); the High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey); and Councillors Attwood, M. Browne, W. Browne, Convery, Ekin, Ervine, Hendron, McCann, McClenaghan, McCoubrey, Mullaghan, Ní Chuilín, O'Neill and Rodgers.
Also attended
Councillors D. Browne, Lavery and Moore.
In attendance
- Mr. M. Elder (Director of Community and Recreation)
- Mr. T. Husbands (Managing Director, The Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls)
- Mr. P. Lucas (Head of Community and Leisure Services)
- Ms. F. Holdsworth (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Operations Manager)
- Mr. S. Walker (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Services Development Manager)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Minutes
The minutes of the of 16th May were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st June, subject to the omission of the minute of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee of 13th June under the heading “Wayleave at Glencairn Park” which, at the request of Councillor McCausland, had been taken back to the Sub‑Committee for further consideration.
Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls Board
Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Halls Board of 24th May be approved and adopted.
Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee
The minutes of the meeting of the Community and Leisure Services Sub‑Committee of 6th June were approved and adopted.
Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee
Cliftonville Playing Fields
In considering the minutes of the meetings of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee of 12th and 13th June, the Committee’s attention was drawn to the minute of the meeting of 13th June under the heading “Cliftonville Playing Fields”, agreeing to dispose of a portion of the site to the Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain, subject to the terms outlined within the report.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor Rodgers, Seconded by Councillor W. Browne,
That the Committee agrees to defer consideration of the matter to enable further information to be obtained from the Director of Legal Services and the Local Government Auditor.
Request for Recorded Vote
Moved by Councillor Rodgers, Seconded by Councillor W. Browne,
That the proposal standing in the name of Councillor Rodgers be determined by means by a recorded vote.
On a vote by show of hands five Members voted in favour of determining the proposal by means of a recorded vote and eight against and it was accordingly declared lost.
The Committee proceeded to vote on the proposal standing in the name of Councillor Rodgers, with six Members voting for the proposal and eight against and it was accordingly declared lost.
Adoption of Minutes
The Committee approved and adopted the minutes of the meetings of the 12th and 13th June.
Roselawn Cemetery – Request for Exhumation
(Ms. M. Tomlinson, Cemeteries Officer, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee considered a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in respect of a request for the exhumation of remains at Roselawn Cemetery.
The Director of Community and Recreation outlined the reasons for the request having been made and, having considered all of the circumstances, recommended that the request for exhumation be refused.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Tender for the Supply and Delivery of Cleaning Materials for Leisure Centres
The Director of Community and Recreation informed the Committee that tenders had been invited by public advertisement for the supply and delivery of cleaning materials for Leisure Centres for the period from 1st August, 2006 till 31st July, 2007, with an option of renewal annually for a further four years up until a date no later than 31st March, 2011.
He reported that three companies had submitted tenders which had been assessed against pre-agreed evaluation criteria and that those being recommended for acceptance were the most economically advantageous in terms of meeting the requirements of the end-user. A schedule of the tenders had previously been circulated to the Members (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) .
The Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the aforementioned schedule, copies of which were signed by the Chairman.
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 in the Members’ Library. (This should be requested under Freedom of Information)
Hospitality Fund Applications
The Committee considered the following requests for assistance which had been received for the provision of Hospitality:
| Organisation | Requested | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Shaftesbury Bowling and Cavehill Bowling and Lawn Tennis Clubs | Hospitality in the form of a finger buffet for approximately 100 people in the City Hall during August, 2006 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £550 |
| Irish Cricket Union | Hospitality in the form of a fork buffet for 100 people in the City Hall on 28th July, 2006 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £1,200 |
| Northern Ireland International Horse Show | Hospitality in the form of a fork buffet for 300 people in the City Hall on 18th October, 2006 | Provision of support up to a maximum of £3,000 |
The Committee adopted the recommendations indicated within the Schedule.
Belfast City Marathon
The Committee considered a report in relation to the development of the Belfast City Marathon. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) , is set out hereunder.
After discussion, the Committee agreed to provide financial assistance in the sum of £30,000 per annum during the period from 2007 till 2009 towards the costs associated with the event, with the remaining £5,000 to be raised through sponsorship by Belfast City Marathon Limited.
Making a Difference Awards
The Director informed the Committee that a significant number of employees from within the Community and Recreation Department had been nominated for and had been successful in obtaining “Making a Difference Awards”.
The Sub-Committee noted the comments of the Director and agreed that letters of congratulations be forwarded to those Members of staff involved.
Tall Ships Race 2009
The Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to the Tall Ships Race 2009.
The Committee adopted the recommendations and agreed that a stand-alone Company be formed in order to deliver the event.
Anti-Social Behaviour at Council-Owned Facilities
The Committee agreed that a special meeting be held at 4.30 p.m. on Monday, 26th June for the purposes of considering proposals to tackle anti-social behaviour at Council-owned facilities. In addition, the Committee agreed that all Members of the Council be invited to attend.
Children and Young People Co-ordinator
The Committee was reminded that the former Client Services Committee, at its meeting on 17th November, 2004, had agreed to appoint, on a fixed-term basis, an officer to support the establishment of the Belfast City Council Youth Forum.
The Director reported that the post of Children and Young People Co-ordinator had been filled for a fixed-term period of eighteen months and that the tenure would be ending during August, 2006. Accordingly, he recommended, in order to continue to support the Youth Forum, that the Committee agree that the post be extended for a further fixed-term period of two years.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Belfast Door Project
The Committee agreed to defer considerationwhen? of a report in relation to the Belfast Door Project to enable further information to be obtained.
National Stadium
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 21st March, it had agreed that letters be forwarded to the Secretary of State, Mr. P. Hain M.P., and Mr. T. Whitehead, Strategic Investment Board, inviting them to attend a future meeting in relation to the Government’s proposals to establish a national stadium at the former Maze Site.
The Director reported that correspondence had been received from Mr. D. Hanson, M.P., the Minister with responsibility for the Maze Development, suggesting that his officials meet with Council representatives to discuss the matter. Accordingly, he had proposed that Mr. E. Jardine, Deputy Secretary, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Mr. T. Whitehead, Strategic Advisor, Strategic Investment Board, attend a future meeting in this regard.
After discussion, the Committee agreed that a special meeting be heldwhen? for this purpose and that the Members of the Parks and Cemeteries Services and Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committees be invited to attend.
Grove Wellbeing Centre - Swimming Pool Spectator Seating
The Committee considered a report in relation to swimming pool spectator seating at the Grove Wellbeing Centre. A copy of the report, with the exception of the Appendix referred to therein (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) , is set out hereunder.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Sports Facilities for 2012 Olympic Games
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report in relation to Sports Facilities for the 2012 Olympic Games to enable it to be considered at its meeting scheduled to be held on 26th June.
Land at Whiterock Close
The Head of Community and Leisure Services reminded the Committee that, on 29th December, 2005, the Council had entered into a ninety-nine year lease agreement with the Trustees of the Blackmountain Irish-Medium School in respect of 0.74 acres of land adjacent to the Whiterock Leisure Centre. He pointed out that, under the terms of the lease, the Trustees of the School were obliged to keep the site and buildings in good repair and to indemnify the Council against any claims should the premises be not kept in good repair.
He reported that the School had vacated the site and that the portacabins at that location had been subjected to serious vandalism. The Police Service of Northern Ireland had contacted the Council to advise that the derelict condition of the site was contributing to incidents of anti-social behaviour within the area and had requested that the site be cleared. Subsequently, the Council had written to the Trustees of the School requesting that they take immediate steps to clear the site and advising that, should there be any delays in carrying out this work, the Council would undertake the clearance and seek to recover costs.
The Head of Community and Leisure stated that, as a result of these difficulties, it would be necessary for the Council to review the School’s compliance with the existing lease arrangements and, as part of this process, officers would seek to clarify with the School its obligations. Accordingly, he requested that, should the Black Mountain Irish-Medium School be found to be in breach of the existing lease agreements, the Committee authorise officers to undertake measures to protect the Council’s interests.when?
The Committee granted the authority sought.
Andersonstown and Beechmount Leisure Centres – Entertainments Licences
The Committee noted that, under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, an Entertainments Licence had been granted by the Director of Health and Environmental Services for the Beechmount Leisure Centre in respect of events associated with the West Belfast Festival.
Departmental Plan 2006-2007
The Committee approved the contents of the draft Community and Recreation Departmental Plan for 2006/2007 (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) .
Chairman
