Parks and Leisure Committee 13 September 2007
From Nigov
Parks and Leisure Committee Thursday, 13th September, 2007
MEETING OF PARKS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Stoker (Chairman); and Councillors Adamson, Attwood, Austin, M. Browne, Convery, Cush, Ekin, Humphrey, Kyle, C. Maskey, McCann, McCausland, McClenaghan, McKenzie, Newton and O'Reilly.
In attendance
- Mr. A. Hassard (Director of Parks and Leisure)
- Mr. P. Kelly (Leisure Services Manager)
- Mr. S. Walker (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Development Manager)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Chairing of Meeting
In the absence of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, it was agreed that Councillor Adamson take the Chair.
(Councillor Adamson in the Chair.)
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Stalford.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 9th August were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd September, subject to the amendment of the decision under the heading "Gaeltacht Signs" to provide that the report on the Policy in this regard be dealt with in a period of three months.
Belfast Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations.
(The Chairman, Councillor Stoker, in the Chair.)
Improvement Agenda
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
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 Parks and Leisure in accordance with the authority delegated to him. A copy of the Schedule was available for inspection on the Members' Portal. (This should be requested under Freedom of Information)
Safer Neighbourhoods Anti-Social Behaviour Pilot Scheme
(Mr. C. Thompson, Policy and Performance Manager, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee noted the contents of a report in relation to the progress achieved in respect of the Council's Safer Neighbourhood Anti-Social Behaviour Pilot Scheme and congratulated the officers from the Parks and Leisure Department for their contribution in connection with the successes achieved.
Andersonstown Leisure Centre - Circus Application
The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Australian Super Circus requesting the use of the all-weather pitch at the Andersonstown Leisure Centre as a venue for the hosting of a circus event during the period from 6th till 17th February, 2008. The Leisure Services Manager reported that, in line with the Council's policy and Building Control regulations, the applicant had given
an undertaking that no animals would be included within the Circus or be onsite during the booking period. Although there had been some public control issues regarding similar outdoor events at this site in the past, no difficulties had been reported following events which had been held during the previous three years.
The Committee agreed, subject to a successful outcome of consultation with local residents and assurances from the applicant of full compliance with the Council's and statutory guidelines and confirmation that the Circus did not use any animals at any of its events, to approve the request which had been received from the Australian Super Circus for the use of the all-weather pitch at the Andersonstown Leisure Centre during the period from 6th till 17th February, 2008.
Grove Leisure Centre - Swim Ulster Facility Management Business Case
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report.
Grove Wellbeing Centre - Approval to Tender for Bowling and Soft Play Equipment
The Leisure Services Manager reported that the former Community and Leisure Services Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 3rd June, 2003, had agreed a list of leisure centre facility elements to be provided at the Grove Wellbeing Centre, which included a ten pin bowling alley and a children's soft play area. He pointed out that the equipment specification documents for these items had been prepared and he was now in a position to seek authority to instigate a tendering exercise. In addition, he pointed out that, since the development of the facility was now well advanced, Members might wish to consider visiting the site at the Grove Wellbeing Centre to view the progress in relation to the project.
After discussion, the Committee granted approval to instigate a tendering exercise for the provision of ten pin bowling equipment and a children's soft play area at the Grove Wellbeing Centre and agreed that a visit be undertaken to the site in order to view the progress in relation to the project.
Proposed Disposal of Loughside Playing Fields
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Committee authorised officers to hold discussions with the Road Service and Bayshore Developments Limited in relation to the potential acquisition of additional lands at the site, subject to no costs being incurred by the Council.
Free Out-of-Hours Pool Usage
The Leisure Services Manager reported that free out-of-hours pool usage had been available to Belfast Swimming Clubs since the Initiative had been approved by the former Client Services Committee at its meeting on 17th December, 2002. The key reason for developing the Scheme had been to provide pool access to swimming clubs which could not reasonably be allocated any additional private hire hours during public swimming times. The Scheme was managed currently through contractual arrangements, which had been drawn up by the Council's Legal Services Department, permitting participating clubs free use of swimming pools at specific times, prior to and after standard Leisure Centre operating hours.
However, he pointed out that a number of issues had emerged over recent months which would require a review of current arrangements. These had included:
(i) multiple booking applications being received for the same booking slots;
(ii) booking applications being received from non-swimming clubs for free out-of-hours use of dry facilities; and
(iii) booking applications being received from swimming clubs for the new Leisure Centres.
In addition, there was a requirement to review arrangements in relation to the control of the facilities, the benefits of the scheme in terms of sports development, whether the schemes should be extended beyond swimming to other sporting activities and the maintenance and management of licensing agreements.
During discussion in the matter, a Member pointed out that the Andersonstown Basketball Club had requested out-of-hours use of the Andersonstown Leisure Centre and he expressed the view that, since it operated within an area of social need, the Basketball Club and clubs of a similar nature could help to alleviate the anti-social behaviour problems which had been occurring within the area.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor M. Browne, Seconded by Councillor McCann,
That the Committee agrees to grant, as interim measure, out-of-hours use of the Andersonstown Leisure Centre to the Andersonstown Basketball Club under the same conditions granted currently to swimming clubs.
On a vote by show of hands ten Members voted for the proposal and five against and it was accordingly declared carried.
In addition, the Committee granted authority for a review to be undertaken of the free Out-of-Hours Pool Usage Scheme and agreed that a report in relation to any proposed revisions be submitted for its consideration at a future meeting.
Use of Victoria Park for Emergency Exercise
The Director of Parks and Leisure stated that the George Best Belfast City Airport was required to run emergency exercises on a biannual basis in order to satisfy its licensing requirements. Most of these exercises had been held previously within the perimeter of the airport and had been designed to test the effectiveness of airport and multi-agency plans within the Airport's facilities. However, the Victoria Park had been used in the past for a similar exercise and the Airport Emergency Planning Team had requested again the use of the Park to test a major incident scenario outside the perimeter of the Airport during April, 2008. He stressed that the airport was aligned with the work of the Belfast Resilience Forum in which the Council played a lead role. It was anticipated that the exercise would commence between 21:30 to 22:00 hours on a weekday and would last for approximately three to four hours. Accordingly, the Director recommended that the Committee authorise the use of the Victoria Park by the George Best Belfast City Airport, the emergency services and other agencies for the purposes of undertaking an emergency exercise.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Botanic Gardens - A Taste of Belfast Event
The Director advised the Committee that a request had been received from Oceanico of Dublin to run an event similar to the "Taste of Dublin" at the Botanic Gardens during June, 2008. The format would be based on the United Kingdom and Ireland model which promoted an outdoor celebration of food and drink. It was envisaged that the event would be aimed at the twenty-five to sixty-five year old age group and would run over a three and a half-day period. He reported that, for a number
of years, the successful Garden Gourmet event had been held at the Botanic Gardens, with over 12,000 people having been in attendance over a two-day period in 2006. He recommended that the Committee grant approval for the event to take place at the Botanic Gardens during June, 2008, subject to the completion of an appropriate agreement to be prepared by the Director of Legal Services.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Request from War Graves Commission to Erect a Memorial Screen at the Dundonald Cemetery
The Director of Parks and Leisure reported that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission had a responsibility, under the terms of its Charter, to commemorate the war dead of the two World Wars by making fit provision in perpetuity for their graves and memorials. He explained that, where the Commission could no longer do this, for example, where a grave could no longer be accessed or been lost, the Commission was required to commemorate the dead elsewhere. He stated that there were several burial grounds throughout Northern Ireland where war graves appeared to have been lost or could no longer be accessed. It was for this reason that the Commission wished to utilise a location where a screen wall could be erected as an alternative commemoration. This was usually sited in a fully functional cemetery so that access could be guaranteed. Accordingly, the Commission was seeking permission to erect a memorial screen at the Dundonald Cemetery on an area of ground located inside the cemetery gates. The costs of erection and maintenance would be met by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and he recommended that the Commission be granted the permission sought.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Development of Lyric Theatre
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Wayleaves at Ormeau Park
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation, subject to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee being notified, in accordance with Standing Order 60, of the disposal.
Development of Play Area at Navarra Place
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Environmental Improvement Scheme at Woodbourne Crescent
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Development Manager reported that correspondence had been received from the Department of Social Development, Physical Development Branch, advising the Council of its plans to carry out an environmental improvement scheme at Woodbourne Crescent, Suffolk Road, which was part of the Department's programme of public realm improvement. Although, at this time, the ownership of land was unclear, the Department had indicated that, in order to enable work to be carried out, it planned to vest the land and seek an agreement with the Council to accept the transfer of the land and take responsibility for the associated management and maintenance obligations. He requested that the Committee agree, in principle, to accept the transfer of the land, together with the associated management and maintenance responsibilities, subject to the completion of an appropriate legal agreement to be prepared by the Director of Legal Services.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Approval of Select List - Belfast Zoological Gardens
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Development Manager reminded the Committee that the former Community and Recreation Committee, at its meeting on 21st May, had been informed that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board had offered grant-aid to improve the public entrance to the Belfast Zoo, provide a new visitors' information centre area and reposition the souvenir shop at the entrance. These works had been included within the Council's Capital Programme and that Committee had granted approval to seek the appropriate tenders and quotations, within the Council's agreed framework, in relation to the appointment of the necessary Engineering Consultants.
In response to a public advertisement, fourteen firms had applied for inclusion on a Select List for the carrying out of the work. The applications had been evaluated in accordance with the Council's procurement guidelines and, accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the undernoted Select List of contractors and approve an application being submitted to the relevant Government Department for the raising of a loan to fund the project. He advised the Committee that an amount of £580,000 in connection with the Project had been included within the Capital Programme, with the Tourist Board providing grant-aid of £250,000 for the information centre:
| |Contractor | |1 |JPM Contracts Limited, | | |79 Main Street, | | |Dungiven, | | |Co. Londonderry | | |BT47 4LE | |2 |Martin and Hamilton Limited, | | |46 Doury Road, | | |Ballymena | | |Co. Antrim | | |BT43 6JB | |3 |William Dowling Limited, | | |71-73 Grand Street, | | |Hilden, | | |Lisburn | | |BT27 4TX | |4 |TAL Limited, | | |TAL House, | | |Lissue Industrial Estate East, | | |Lissue Road, | | |Lisburn, | | |Co. Antrim | | |BT28 2RB | |5 |Leo Matheson Contracts, | | |32 Main Street, | | |Castlewellan, | | |Co. Down | | |BT31 9DG | |6= |QMAC Construction Limited, | | |Coolmaghery, | | |156 Pomeroy Road, | | |Dungannon | | |BT70 2TY | |6= |Downhill Enterprises Limited, | | |62-68 Skegoneill Avenue, | | |Belfast | | |BT15 3JQ |
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Replacement of Roof at Wilmont House
The Principal Parks and Cemeteries Development Manager reminded the Members that Wilmont House, which was located at the Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park site, had deteriorated in recent years. The ground floor was being utilised currently to locate temporarily staff who were working on the Belfast Marathon and the Archive Project. It was envisaged that refurbishment of the building would incur significant capital expenditure in the region of £3 million and options were being considered currently as to how best the property might be renovated. He stated that the property was subject to a restrictive covenant which would limit development options if not removed. Those restrictions had been put in place at the request of the Dixon family and there had been some discussions to explore the removal, with no success to date.
However, in the meantime, there was an opportunity through the Council's Building Maintenance Programme to repair and/or replace as appropriate the roof at Wilmont House. The estimated cost of repair was approximately £200,000, which could be met out of the existing budget for the building maintenance programme. This programme would come to an end during the 2007/2008 financial year and it was unlikely that a similar opportunity would exist in the near future.
He advised the Committee that repairs to the roof would prevent further deterioration of the property, which had been caused through water ingress, and would demonstrate the Council's commitment to the restoration of buildings and encourage greater interest from outside organisations. He recommended that the Committee agree to the repair/replacement of the roof at Wilmont House, that the work be undertaken by the Council's Property Care and Building Maintenance Section and funded through the Building Upgrade Programme at a cost of approximately £200,000.
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Tender for the Collection and Treatment of Animal Waste at the Belfast Zoo
The Principal Parks and Development Manager reported that, in response to public advertisement, two tenders had been received in relation to the collection and treatment of animal waste from the Belfast Zoo. He stated that each tender had been evaluated against a pre-agreed criteria and he recommended the acceptance of the most economical advantageous tender received, that submitted by Natural Waste Products Limited, 55 Cargaclougher Road, Keady, Co. Armagh, BT60 3QY, in the sum of approximately £27,000 per annum, for a period of one year, with an option to renew for a further two-year period.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Belfast Castle Wall Refurbishment
The Committee was informed that, in response to public advertisement, four companies had applied for inclusion on a select list of contractors to undertake the work in respect of the refurbishment of the Belfast Castle Wall. Tenders had been sought from all four firms, with three of the companies having submitted bids.
The tenders had been evaluated in accordance with pre-agreed criteria and the most economically advantageous had been that submitted by Martin and Hamilton Limited, Doury Road, Ballymena, BT43 6JB, in the sum of £188,455. However, when the Service Level Agreement, fees and statutory charges had been included, the total cost of the project was £216,720 compared to an amount of £155,000 which had been included in the Capital Programme.
The Director reported that, since the increase in the cost was in excess of 10% of the approved amount, Financial Regulation D9 required the approval of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for the additional expenditure.
The Committee agreed to accept the most economically advantageous tender received, subject to the approval of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for the additional expenditure and approved the submission of an application to the Department of the Environment for a loan sanction in the sum of £216, 720.
Chairman
