Parks and Leisure Committee 17 January 2008
From Nigov
Parks and Leisure Committee Thursday, 17th January, 2008
MEETING OF PARKS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Stoker (Chairman); and Councillors Attwood, Austin, D. Browne, M. Browne, Convery, Ekin, Humphrey, Kyle, McCann, McCausland, McKenzie, Newton, O'Reilly, Patterson and Stalford.
In attendance
- Mr. A. Hassard (Director of Parks and Leisure)
- Mr. S. Walker (Principal Parks and Cemeteries Development Manager)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Adamson, Cush, C. Maskey and McClenaghan.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 13th December were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 7th January, subject to the amendment of the decision under the heading "Summer Fun Days" to provide that the Grove Playing Fields be included within the 2008 Parks Events Programme.
Revenue Estimates 2008/2009
(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 2008/2009.
After discussion, the Committee approved the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the year 2008/2009 as submitted in respect of the Parks and Leisure Committee and noted that the Director of Corporate Services would be providing at a future meeting a presentation in relation to Departmental Efficiency Savings.
Proposed Playground at Eversleigh Street
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter to enable round-table discussions to be held between Council officers, the local residents and representatives of the Belfast Regeneration Office and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Allotment Review
The Committee agreed to note the contents of a report in relation to a review which was being undertaken currently in respect of the Council's future Allotment Provision.
Grove Leisure Centre - Facility Management Agreement
(Mr. C. Quigley (Director of Legal Services), attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 13th December, it had agreed to defer consideration of a report in relation to the Swim Ulster Facility Management Business Case in connection with the Grove Leisure Centre for a period of one month to enable a further report providing a legal opinion thereon to be submitted for its consideration.
Accordingly, the Director of Legal Services submitted for the Committee's consideration a legal opinion in this regard and outlined the relevant points contained therein.
After a lengthy discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor M. Browne, Seconded by Councillor D. Browne,
That the Committee agrees to defer consideration of the matter to enable a further report in relation to how those clubs affected by the closure of the Grove Leisure Centre could be accommodated within the Council's existing leisure facilities to be submitted for its consideration.
On a vote by show of hands seven Members voted in favour of the proposal and none against and it was accordingly declared carried.
Belfast Castle Estate - Anti-Social Behaviour
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendations and agreed that the Belfast Castle Park be included within the existing Safer Neighbourhood Anti-Social Behaviour Parks and Leisure Pilot Scheme.
Facilities Management Agreements
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report in relation to the Council's Facilities Management Agreement Policy to enable briefings to be provided to each of the Party Groupings represented on the Council.
Restrictive Covenant in Respect of 43 Whitewell Road
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
2008 Spring Fair Hospitality
The Director of Parks and Leisure informed the Committee that the Spring Fair which was held at the Barnett's Demesne comprised the Annual Spring Flower Show in the Malone House, together with a programme of environmental activities. This was a major event for the City which attracted a significant number of visitors. He reported that a wide range of competitive exhibits would be on display and assessed by a panel of local and visiting judges. In addition, Belfast would be hosting a portion of the World Daffodil Tour during April, 2008, with approximately sixty international delegates visiting the City during the event.
The Director pointed out that, whilst the Council oversaw the event, it was only through the ongoing support and efforts of the volunteers involved in the Spring Fair Committee and the judging panel that this prestigious event could take place. He recommended, as in previous years, that the Parks and Leisure Committee provide lunch for the members of the Spring Fair Committee, the judging panels and other invited guests in recognition of their efforts and commitment towards the event. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the provision of hospitality in the form of a luncheon at Malone House on 19th April, the cost of which would be approximately £1,500.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Charter Mark Award - Belfast Castle and Malone House
The Director of Parks and Leisure advised the Committee that the Belfast Castle and Malone House had, during November, 2007, been successful in obtaining the Charter Mark Award. This was the Government's national standard for excellence in customer service and had been designed to enable public sector organisations to focus on and improve their customer service and delivery to users. In recognition of the achievement, he recommended that a letter of congratulations be sent on behalf of the Committee from the Chairman and that a lunch be provided for the staff of the Belfast Castle and Malone House, to which Members of the Committee would be invited to attend.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Parks and Cemeteries Services - Scale of Charges for 2008/2009
The Director of Parks and Leisure submitted for the Committee's consideration a report in respect of the proposed Scale of Charges for the use of facilities within the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section during the 2008/2009 financial year.
The Committee approved the Scale of Charges in respect of Parks and Cemeteries Services facilities for 2008/2009, copies of which were available for inspection on modern.gov and the Members' Portal.
Indoor Leisure Services - Scale of Charges 2008/2009
The Committee considered a report in relation to the proposed Scale of Charges for the Council's Indoor Leisure Services provision during the 2008/2009 financial year, copies of which were available for inspection on modern.gov and the Members' Portal. (This should be requested under Freedom of Information)
The Committee approved the Scale of Charges for 2008/2009.
Support for Sport - Development Grant 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 modern.gov and the Members' Portal.
Chairman
