Council 4 June 2007
From Nigov
ANNUAL MEETING OF BELFAST CITY COUNCIL
Held in the City Hall on Monday, 4th June, 2007 at the hour of 6.00 o'clock p.m., pursuant to Notice.
Members present
The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor McCarthy) (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson); and Councillors Attwood, Austin, D. Browne, M. Browne, W. Browne, Campbell, Cobain, Convery, Cunningham, Cush, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Ekin, Empey, Hanna, Hartley, Hendron, Humphrey, Jones, Kelly, Kyle, Lavery, Long, Maginness, A. Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McCausland, McClenaghan, McCoubrey, McGimpsey, McKenzie, McMillen, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Moore, Mullaghan, Newton, Ní Chuilín, O'Neill, O'Reilly, Rodgers, Rodway, Smyth, Stalford, Stoker and Wilson.
Reading of Scriptures
In accordance with Standing Order 9, the Lord Mayor read a passage from the Scriptures.
Summons
The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the High Sheriff (Councillor Kirkpatrick) and Councillors Adamson and Crozier.
Filming and Recording of Proceedings
The Chief Executive reported that requests had been received from a number of broadcasting companies for permission to film and record the election and installation of the new Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor. He requested that the Council indicate whether it wished to accede to those requests.
The Council granted the permission sought.
Expression of Thanks
The Lord Mayor (Councillor McCarthy) reviewed his year in Office and expressed his appreciation for the support which he had received from the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson), the High Sheriff (Councillor Kirkpatrick), and the former High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey). He thanked also the staff who had assisted him during the previous year and placed on record his appreciation of the support which he had received from his wife and family and from the Members of his Political Party.
Tributes
Representatives of each of the Party Groupings on the Council paid tribute to the Lord Mayor for the manner in which he had fulfilled his duties during his year in Office.
Election of Lord Mayor
Nominations were invited for the Office of Lord Mayor for the ensuing year. Councillor Cunningham was proposed by Councillor Ní Chuilín and seconded by Councillor Moore; Councillor Rodgers was proposed by Councillor McCoubrey and seconded by Councillor Stoker; Councillor Long was proposed by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Ekin; while Councillor D. Dodds was proposed by Councillor Wilson and seconded by Councillor W. Browne.
On a vote by show of hands fourteen Members voted for Councillor Cunningham; eighteen Members voted for Councillor Rodgers; four Members voted for Councillor Long; while twelve Members voted for Councillor D. Dodds. As there was not an overall majority for any one candidate, Councillor Long, who had the lowest number of votes, was eliminated and the Council proceeded to a second round of voting between the three remaining candidates.
On a vote by show of hands, there voted for Councillor Cunningham eighteen Members; for Councillor Rodgers eighteen Members; and for Councillor D. Dodds twelve Members. As there was not an overall majority for any one candidate, Councillor D. Dodds, the nominee with the lowest number of votes, was eliminated and the Council proceeded to a third round of voting between the two remaining candidates.
Following a vote by show of hands, eighteen Members voted for Councillor Cunningham and thirty Members voted for Councillor Rodgers.
It was accordingly
Resolved - That Councillor Jim Rodgers be and he is hereby elected Lord Mayor of the City of Belfast for the period to end on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Council to be held in June, 2008.
Councillor Rodgers, having been conducted to the dais by Councillors McCoubrey and Stoker, was installed in Office and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
(The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Councillor Rodgers, in the Chair.)
Councillor Rodgers expressed his gratitude to the Members for the honour which they had bestowed upon him by electing him to the Office of Lord Mayor and paid tribute to the previous Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and to the Deputy Lord Mayor for the manner in which they had carried out their duties.
Expression of Thanks
The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson) reviewed her year in Office and expressed her gratitude for the support which she had received from the Lord Mayor (Councillor McCarthy). She placed on record her appreciation of the support she had received from all Members throughout her term of Office and for the advice and assistance of staff, particularly those in the Lord Mayor's Office.
Tributes
Representatives of each of the Party Groupings on the Council paid tribute to the Deputy Lord Mayor for the manner in which she had fulfilled her duties throughout her year in Office.
Election of Deputy Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor invited nominations for the post of Deputy Lord Mayor for the ensuing year. Councillor Lavery was proposed by Councillor McClenaghan and seconded by Councillor Hartley; Councillor Kelly was proposed by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor O'Reilly; and Councillor McKenzie was proposed by Councillor Campbell and seconded by Councillor W. Browne.
On a vote by show of hands eighteen Members voted for Councillor Lavery; eighteen Members voted for Councillor Kelly; and twelve Members voted for Councillor McKenzie. As there was not an overall majority for any one candidate, Councillor McKenzie, the nominee with the lowest number of votes, was accordingly eliminated and the Council proceeded to a second round of voting between the two remaining candidates.
On a vote by show of hands eighteen Members voted for Councillor Lavery and twenty-one for Councillor Kelly.
It was accordingly
Resolved - That Councillor Bernie Kelly be and she is hereby elected Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Belfast for the period to end on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Council to be held in June, 2008.
Councillor Kelly, having been conducted to the dais by Councillors McCarthy and O'Reilly, was installed in Office and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. She then thanked the Members for her election.
Minutes
Moved by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor Rodgers), Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Kelly) and
Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Monthly Meeting of the Council of 1st May and the Special Meeting of the Council of 17th May be taken as read and signed as correct.
Change of Membership on Outside Bodies
The Chief Executive reported that notification had been received from the Democratic Unionist Party Grouping indicating that it wished Councillor Rodway to replace Councillor Newton on the membership of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
In addition, the Alliance Party Grouping had indicated that it wished to make the following changes to its representation on Outside Bodies:
(i) Councillor Hendron to replace Councillor Long on the Belfast Education and Library Board; and
(ii) Councillor Jones to replace Councillor Hendron on the Eastern Health and Social Services Council.
The Council approved the foregoing changes.
Appointment of Members to Standing Committees
The Council considered the appointment of Members to the Standing Committees and it was
Resolved - That the Standing Committees as set out below, having been constituted in conformity with Acts of Parliament, Standing Orders and Resolutions of the Council, be and they are hereby appointed for the period to end on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Council to be held in June, 2008:
_Membership of Standing Committees_
Strategic Policy and Resources Committee
Sinn Féin Group (6)
Councillor M. Browne Councillor Hartley Councillor Lavery Councillor A. Maskey Councillor P. Maskey Councillor McCann
Democratic Unionist Party Group (6)
Councillor W. Browne Councillor Crozier Councillor D. Dodds Councillor Kirkpatrick Councillor Newton Councillor Rodway
Ulster Unionist Party Group (4)
Councillor Adamson Councillor D. Browne Councillor Cobain Councillor Stoker
Social Democratic and Labour Party Group (3)
Councillor Convery Councillor Hanna Councillor Maginness
Alliance Party Group (1)
Councillor Long
Development Committee =
Sinn Féin Group (6)
Councillor M. Browne Councillor Cunningham Councillor Hartley Councillor P. Maskey Councillor Mhic Giolla Mhín Councillor Ní Chuilín
Democratic Unionist Party Group (5)
Councillor Campbell Councillor Crozier Councillor D. Dodds Councillor Humphrey Councillor McCausland
Ulster Unionist Party Group (3)
Councillor Empey Councillor McGimpsey Councillor Stoker
Social Democratic and Labour Party Group (4)
Councillor Attwood Councillor Convery Councillor Kelly Councillor McCarthy
Alliance Party Group (1)
Councillor Ekin
Progressive Unionist Party Group (1)
Councillor Kyle
Health and Environmental Services Committee
Sinn Féin Group (5)
Councillor Austin Councillor Cunningham Councillor Cush Councillor Mhic Giolla Mhín Councillor O'Neill
Democratic Unionist Party Group (6)
Councillor W. Browne Councillor Campbell Councillor N. Dodds Councillor Kirkpatrick Councillor McKenzie Councillor Rodway
Ulster Unionist Party Group (3)
Councillor Adamson Councillor McCoubrey Councillor McMillen
Social Democratic and Labour Party Group (3)
Councillor Hanna Councillor Mullaghan Councillor O'Reilly
Alliance Party Group (2)
Councillor Hendron Councillor Jones
Progressive Unionist Party Group (1)
Councillor Kyle
Licensing Committee
Sinn Féin Group (5)
Councillor Austin Councillor Hartley Councillor Lavery Councillor Moore Councillor O'Neill
Democratic Unionist Party Group (5)
Councillor Crozier Councillor D. Dodds Councillor Kirkpatrick Councillor Rodway Councillor Stalford
Ulster Unionist Party Group (4)
Councillor D. Browne Councillor Cobain Councillor McCoubrey Councillor Stoker
Social Democratic and Labour Party Group (3)
Councillor Attwood Councillor Mullaghan Councillor O'Reilly
Alliance Party Group (2)
Councillor Ekin Councillor Jones
Progressive Unionist Party Group (1)
Councillor Smyth
Parks and Leisure Committee
Sinn Féin Group (6)
Councillor Austin Councillor M. Browne Councillor Cush Councillor McCann Councillor McClenaghan Councillor Ní Chuilín
Democratic Unionist Party Group (6)
Councillor Humphrey Councillor McCausland Councillor McKenzie Councillor Newton Councillor Patterson Councillor Stalford
Ulster Unionist Party Group (3)
Councillor Adamson Councillor D. Browne Councillor Stoker
Social Democratic and Labour Party Group (3)
Councillor Attwood Councillor Convery Councillor O'Reilly
Alliance Party Group (1)
Councillor Ekin
Progressive Unionist Party Group (1)
Councillor Kyle
Town Planning Committee
Sinn Féin Group (5)
Councillor Lavery Councillor McClenaghan Councillor Moore Councillor O'Neill Councillor Ní Chuilín
Democratic Unionist Party Group (5)
Councillor Campbell Councillor McCausland Councillor Patterson Councillor Rodway Councillor Wilson
Ulster Unionist Party Group (4)
Councillor D. Browne Councillor Cobain Councillor Empey Councillor McGimpsey
Social Democratic and Labour Party Group (3)
Councillor Kelly Councillor Maginness Councillor McCarthy
Alliance Party Group (2)
Councillor Hendron Councillor Long
Progressive Unionist Party Group (1)
Councillor Smyth
Appointment of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of Standing Committees
The Council considered the appointment of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Standing Committees and it was
Resolved - That, in accordance with Standing Order 42, the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Standing Committees as set out below be and they are hereby approved and adopted for appointment for the period to end on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Council to be held in June, 2008:
| |Chairmanships |Deputy | | | |Chairmanships | | |Party |Party | |Strategic Policy and |DUP |SF | |Resources Committee |Councillor D. Dodds |Councillor Hartley | | | | | |Development Committee |SF |DUP | | |Councillor M. Browne |Councillor Humphrey | | | | | |Health and Environmental |SDLP |UUP | |Services Committee |Councillor Mullaghan |Councillor Adamson | | | | | |Licensing Committee |DUP |SDLP | | |Councillor Kirkpatrick |Councillor Attwood | | | | |
| |Chairmanships |Deputy | | | |Chairmanships | |Parks and Leisure Committee |UUP |ALL | | |Councillor Stoker |Councillor Ekin | |Town Planning Committee |SF |SF | | |Councillor Lavery |Councillor McClenaghan |
Policy and Resources Committee
Moved by Councillor D. Dodds, Seconded by Councillor M. Browne,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18th May be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Amendment
St. Patrick's Day 2007 and Proposals for 2008: Outdoor Event
Moved by Councillor McCausland, Seconded by Councillor Stalford,
That the decision of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18th May under the heading "St. Patrick's Day 2007 and Proposals for 2008: Outdoor Event" be rejected and accordingly that consideration of the recommendations in relation to the outdoor event be deferred for one month to enable a report to be prepared providing details of the overall commitment by the Council on major cultural events and demonstrating how this equates to equality and respect for diversity among all sections of the community.
A division on the matter was demanded. A vote having been taken on the amendment, there voted for it twelve Members, viz., Councillors W. Browne, Campbell, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Humphrey, McCausland, McKenzie, Newton, Patterson, Rodway, Stalford and Wilson; and against it twenty-seven Members, viz., the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Kelly); and Councillors Attwood, Austin, D. Browne, M. Browne, Convery, Cunningham, Cush, Ekin, Hanna, Hartley, Hendron, Humphrey, Lavery, Long, Maginness, A. Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McCartney, McClenaghan, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Moore, Mullaghan, Ní Chuilín, O'Neill and O'Reilly. Two Members, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor Rodgers) and Councillor Smyth, did not vote.
The amendment was declared lost.
Community and Recreation Committee
Moved by Councillor Stoker, Seconded by Councillor Smyth and
Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Community and Recreation Committee of 25th April and 21st and 22nd May be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
(The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kelly, in the Chair.)
Development Committee
Moved by Councillor M. Browne, Seconded by Councillor P. Maskey,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 30th April and 15th, 16th and 23rd May be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
(The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Councillor Rodgers, in the Chair.)
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Ekin, Seconded by Councillor Jones,
That the decision of the Development Committee of 16th May under the heading "North Foreshore - Draft Feasibility Report and Indicative Masterplan", agreeing to reduce from twenty-five acres to twenty acres the land available for port-related warehousing, be referred back to the Committee to enable a study to be undertaken into the need for commercial waste operations at that portion of the site or in that part designated for use by arc21.
On a vote by show of hands sixteen Members voted for the proposal and nineteen against and it was accordingly declared lost.
Request for Matter to be Taken Back for Further Consideration
Tender Process for the Provision of Minibus/Coach Hire Services
Councillor P. Maskey requested that the minute of 16th May under the heading "Tender Processes for the Provision of Minibus/Coach Hire Services" be taken back to the Committee for further consideration. However, the Council determined to vote on the matter.
On a vote by show of hands twelve Members voted for the minute to be referred back and fifteen against and it was accordingly declared lost.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Development Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed.
Health and Environmental Services Committee
Moved by Councillor Mullaghan, Seconded by Councillor O'Neill and
Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 14th May be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Town Planning Committee
Moved by Councillor Lavery, Seconded by Councillor Moore and
Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 26th April and 3rd, 9th and 17th May, omitting matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee, be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Lord Mayor Chairman
