Council 4 September 2006
From Nigov
MONTHLY MEETING OF BELFAST CITY COUNCIL
Held in the City Hall on Monday, 4th September, 2006 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); the High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey); and Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Austin, D. Browne, M. Browne, W. Browne, Cobain, Convery, Crozier, Cunningham, Cush, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Ekin, Empey, Ervine, Hanna, Hartley, Jones, Kelly, Kirkpatrick, Lavery, Long, Maginness, A. Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McCausland, McClenaghan, McCoubrey, McGimpsey, McKenzie, Mhic Giolla Mhín, 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 short passage from the Scriptures.
Summons
The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Campbell, Hendron, McMillen and Moore.
Minutes
Moved by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor McCarthy), Seconded by Councillor Stalford and
Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the Special Meeting of the Council of 1st July and the Monthly Meeting of the Council of 3rd July be taken as read and signed as correct.
Policy and Resources Committee
Moved by Councillor Rodway, Seconded by Councillor M. Browne,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Request for Matter to be Taken Back for Further Consideration
Anniversary of the 1907 Dockers Strike
The Chairman (Councillor A. Maskey), at the request of Councillor McCausland and with the consent of the Council, agreed that the minute under the heading “Anniversary of the 1907 Dockers Strike” be referred to the Good Relations Steering Panel to enable it to be considered within the overall Council policy in relation to commemorations, memorabilia and artifacts.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relative to the minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted, subject to the omission of the minute under the heading “Anniversary of the 1907 Dockers Strike” which, at the request of Councillor McCausland, is referred to the Good Relations Steering Panel to enable it to be considered within the overall Council policy in relation to commemorations, memorabilia and artifacts.
Community and Recreation Committee
Moved by Councillor O’Neill, Seconded by Councillor Stalford,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Community and Recreation Committee of 21st August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Request for Matter to be Taken Back for Further Consideration
Advice Services – Grant Appeal
At the request of Councillor Kelly and with the consent of the Council, the Deputy Chairman (Councillor O’Neill) agreed that the minute of the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee of 1st August under the heading “Advice Services – Grant Appeal” be taken back to the Sub-Committee for further consideration.
Amendment
Heritage Lottery Fund
Moved by Councillor Crozier, Seconded by Councillor Stalford and
Resolved – That the decision of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee of 8th August under the heading “Heritage Lottery Fund, as adopted by the principal Committee at its meeting on 21st August, be amended to provide that the All-Party Working Group established to progress the matter be instructed to seek the views of all Members of the Council and the local communities.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Community and Recreation Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Community and Recreation Committee of 21st August be and they are hereby and adopted, subject to:
(i) the omission of the minute of the Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee of 1st August under the heading “Advice Services – Grant Appeal”, as adopted by the principal Committee at its meeting on 21st August, which, at the request of Councillor Kelly, is taken back to the Sub‑Committee for further consideration; and
(ii) the amendment of the decision of the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee of 8th August under the heading “Heritage Lottery Fund”, as adopted by the principal Committee at its meeting on 21st August, to provide that the All-Party Working Group established to progress the matter be instructed to consult with all Members of the Council and local communities.
Development Committee
Moved by Councillor McCausland, Seconded by Councillor P. Maskey and
Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee of 3rd and 16th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Health and Environmental Services Committee
Moved by Councillor O’Reilly, Seconded by Councillor Adamson and
Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the Health and Environmental Services Committee of 7th August be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Town Planning Committee
Moved by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson), Seconded by Councillor Stalford,
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 29th June and 3rd, 15th and 17th August, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee, be and they are hereby approved and adopted.
Amendment
Planning Applications: Reconsidered Item – Revised Opinion on 13-15 Rugby Avenue
Moved by Councillor Wilson, Seconded by Councillor Stalford,
That the decision of the Town Planning Committee of 3rd August under the heading “Planning Applications: Reconsidered Item – Revised Opinion on 13-15 Rugby Avenue” be amended to provide that the application for the change of use of a dwelling to a shop at ground floor level at 13-15 Rugby Avenue be referred to the Planning Management Board for adjudication on the grounds that such a development would represent:
(i) a departure from the Department’s Planning Policy Statement 5: Retailing and Town Centres in that no local need had been demonstrated to justify the extension of the existing local shop at this site; and
(ii) an unacceptable development of the site in terms of its scale, density, layout and massing.
On a vote by show of hands thirteen Members voted for the amendment and twelve against and it was accordingly declared carried.
Adoption of Minutes
The original proposal relevant to the minutes of the Town Planning Committee was thereupon put to the meeting and passed in the following form:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the Town Planning Committee of 29th June and 3rd, 15th and 17th August, omitting matters in respect of which the Council has delegated its powers to the Committee be and they are hereby approved and adopted subject to the amendment of the decision of 3rd August under the heading “Planning Applications: Reconsidered Item – Revised Opinion at 13-15 Rugby Avenue” to provide that the application for the change of use of a dwelling to a shop at ground floor level at 13-15 Rugby Avenue be referred to the Planning Management Board for adjudication on the grounds that such a development would represent:
(i) a departure from the Department’s Planning Policy Statement 5: Retailing and Town Centres in that no local need had been demonstrated to justify the extension of the existing local shop at this site; and
(ii) an unacceptable development of the site in terms of its scale, density, layout and massing.
Notices of Motion
Rally at Casement Park
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor McCausland proposed:
“This Council deplores the decision by the County Antrim Board of the GAA to grant the use of Casement Park for a Sinn Fein rally.
It also calls on the GAA to work with the Sports Council and the Community Relations Council to depoliticise the Association and thereby contribute to the creation of ‘a shared future’ in Northern Ireland.”
The proposal was seconded by Councillor Stalford.
After discussion, the Motion was put to the meeting when a division on the matter was immediately demanded.
A poll having been taken, there voted for the Motion eighteen Members viz., the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Patterson); the High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey); and Councillors W. Browne, Crozier, D. Dodds, N. Dodds, Ekin, Jones, Kirkpatrick, Long, McCausland, McKenzie, Newton, Rodgers, Rodway, Stalford, Stoker and Wilson; and against it twenty Members, viz., the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Councillor McCarthy); and Councillors Attwood, Austin, M. Browne, Convery, Cunningham, Cush, Hanna, Hartley, Kelly, Lavery, Maginness, A, Maskey, P. Maskey, McCann, McClenaghan, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Ní Chuilín, O’Neill and O’Reilly.
The Notice of Motion was accordingly declared lost.
Social and Affordable Housing
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Convery proposed:
“This Council notes the cumulative results of the following:-
1. the rising costs of housing in general and the consequent effects on private rental levels;
2. the lack of social housing provision in the Belfast City Council area;
3. the artificial inflationary effects of draft PPS14;
4. general incomes which are unable to keep pace with growing housing costs.
And therefore calls upon Government to:-
(i) Urgently initiate interdepartmental actions to deliver affordable housing;
(ii) Take urgent interdepartmental actions to provide social housing to meet the needs of current waiting lists; and
(iii) Immediately change existing and those “draft” policies which have caused house prices to rise and are placing the most basic human entitlement – that of a home – beyond the reach of ever-increasing numbers of people.”
The proposal was seconded by Councillor Attwood.
With the permission of the Council, the proposer agreed to amend the Notice of Motion by the inclusion of the words “and that the appropriate Minister be requested to attend a future meeting of the Council to discuss issues surrounding the lack of social housing provision in the City” at the end of the final paragraph.
The Motion, as amended, was thereupon put to the meeting as the substantive Motion and passed without dissent.
Granting of Bail to Serial Offenders
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, Councillor Newton proposed:
“This Council notes the recent case where an alleged serial burglar charged with a further burglary was released on bail despite strong objections from the police.
The Council is acutely aware of the need to provide reassurance to the citizens of the City, particularly the elderly, regarding their safety and has been working through its Community Safety Partnership and partner organisations towards the creation of a safer city.
The Council wishes to express its grave concern that the courts, in dealing with bail applications, are failing to pay sufficient regard to the need to enhance the confidence of the public that it is being properly protected, and calls upon the Lord Chief Justice to review what measures can be taken to ensure the protection of public safety in such cases.”
The proposal was seconded by Councillor Stalford.
After discussion, the Motion was put to the meeting and passed without dissent.
Chairman
